Hep C Discussion Forum

The Netherlands is one of the few countries that keeps a good statstic of infection rates, treatments as well as dividing mono infection and co-infected and outcomes. Over here they have needle programs, drug testing (for users, to ensure they are not going to kill themselves) so I assume they also give to the "high risk" categories plenty of information regarding diseases and prevention. I had heard of Hep C, knew it existed but really past knowing it was blood bourne knew nothing about it. My husband really didn't know what it was, and he assumed I would get a perscription and a week later cured. People know about Hep A and B because there is a vaccine, but Hep C well, we all know it is proving impossible to make.

I did read the other day, that once infected by Hep C, even after acquiring SVR that we are all at higher risk of contracting other genotypes so have to be vigilant (easier to catch for us).

I think part of the problem is some of the spoke persons for HEP C such as Pamala Anderson are seen falling out of clubs, it gives the wrong image to what really people go through. Also she appears to the outside world to not be bothered to treat, (although I am sure in reality she is waiting for the newer medications like a lot of people.) But public perception is, a high risk life style, and dating "junkies." Another high profile person is Steven Tyler, wild rock star, and reformed user etc. This is what the public read and form an opinion on.

I dont see any awareness over here, and infact only since I have it myself, I am hearing of other people that had a family member, or know someone that has had it. It seems it is rather tabboo like H.I.V was in the beginning.

Hi Jill,

I always blink when I see the estimated number of HCV cases in the UK.  For a population af about 66 million, 216,000 cases is an incidence of only 0.3%!  Australia has more cases than that, and UK has the added problem of migrants from countries where the incidence is between 2-4%.  I'm sure the figures are wrong, and probably deliberately grossly underestimated.   France has an incidence of 1%, USA has 1.8% and Australia is 1.2%. Obviously these figures are not exact, and various reports give some variation. Anyway, that's not the subject of your post.

Up to 2 years ago, HepC was not considered curable in the true sense, as less than 40% of patients cleared the virus with the available treatment. Times are changing, and with the new DAA's, up to 90% of patients should clear the virus. Remember these drugs will not be available for most of the world for at least 10 years, if ever.

In the developed world, it is estimated that only 25% of patients with HCV have been tested, and of these only 5% have been treated.  In the rest of the world most cases of HCV haven't been tested, let alone treated. This vast reservoir of HCV patients will remain, and with immigration, will always spread back to countries like Europe and USA. Patients with SVR should be cautioned about going back to any old, risky habits.

In the UK, the stigma of HCV is responsible for much of the problem. As long as it is seen as a drug-users disease, there is no political pressure to attack it. Serve them right is the attitude.  It needs a massive campaign to encourage testing and education about treatment. Then there is the problem of finding the money to pay for the new, expensive drugs.  No government will do this as there is no public pressure and the Medical profession is sitting on it's hands. This didn't happen with HIV- Medical and public pressure forced governments to spend the money.  The costs of transplants and expensive treatment of cirrhosis is dismissed, as they will occur some time in the future.  Perhaps the European countries have more liberal, enlightened government members and the UK was always pretty staid.   The situation in Australia is just as bad.

Those are scary statistics!