Health Report

What Is Hepatitis C?

Unknown Author

(The Gender Centre advise that this article may not be current and as such certain content, including but not limited to persons, contact details and dates may not apply. Where legal authority or medical related matters are cited, responsibility lies with the reader to obtain the most current relevant legal authority and/or medical publication.)

Hepatitis is the general name for several different illnesses which all cause the same problem: an inflamed (swollen or painful) liver. The liver is a vital part of the body. If it does not function properly, it can cause serious illness or sometimes even death.

When Liver Inflammation lasts more than six months, the illness is called chronic.

The symptoms of Chronic Hepatitis C may be:

• mild to severe lethargy (tiredness);
• loss of appetite;
• nausea and vomiting;
• soreness in the upper right part of the abdomen (under your ribs);
• fever; and
• pain in your joints;

How Can I Avoid Becoming Infected?

For People who Inject Drugs:

• Always wash your hands before and after injecting;
• Never share your needles and syringes;
• Other equipment like your spoons, swabs, filters, tourniquets and water can also be contaminated by sharing them;
• Always use new needles and syringes. (The Gender Centre is a Needle Exchange Service);
• Do not share your personal items like toothbrushes, razor, nail files or nail scissors. These can puncture the skin and become infected;
• If you are involved in, or do body piercing, tattooing, electrolysis or acupuncture - always ensure that any of the instruments that pierce the skin has been sterilised since it was last used; and
• Use safer sex practices. Use condoms every time you have anal sex, oral sex or vaginal sex. People in long-term, stable relationships need to consider and discuss condom use with your doctor.

Hepatitis C Discrimination

People with Hepatitis C (hepatitis C) have the same rights as other people and should not be discriminated against.

State and Federal Law [in Australia] prohibits discrimination in the areas of employment, education, accommodation, the provision of goods, services and facilities; buying or selling property, membership of clubs and administration of Commonwealth and State programs.

If you believe that you, or someone you know, has been discriminated against because of Hepatitis C infection, you should contact the Equal Opportunity Commission.

Polare is published in Australia by The Gender Centre Inc. which is funded by the Department of Community Services under the S.A.A.P. Program and supported by the N.S.W. Health Department through the AIDS and Infectious Diseases Branch. Polare provides a forum for discussion and debate on gender issues. Advertisers are advised that all advertising is their responsibility under the Trade Practices Act. Unsolicited contributions are welcome, though no guarantee is made by the Editor that they will be published, nor any discussion entered into. The editor reserves the right to edit such contributions without notification. Any submission which appears in Polare may be published on our internet site. Opinions expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect those of the Editor, The Gender Centre Inc.I, the Department of Community Services or the N.S.W. Department of Health.