Hopefully people are beginning to take on board what it is all about and the effect it has had and is having on IV drug users past, present and future.

[FACT] Between 50%-80% of IV drug users tested for HCV have tested positive.

[FACT] 20% of the people who initially test positive for HCV will clear the virus naturally.

[FACT] People who are HCV + and also heavy alcohol users greatly increase the probability of serious irreversible liver damage.

[FACT] The majority of people who are HCV + will suffer few or no major symptoms for a number of years.

[FACT] The most common symptoms of HCV can replicate the withdrawal symptoms from opiates.

These are just a few facts about Hepatitis C that drug users especially IV drug users should be aware of.
If you are an IV drug user past or present then there are a number of questions that need to be asked.

[#] Do I want to address the issue of Hepatitis C and if so am I being given the opportunity to do so?
[#] Am I getting clear and understandable and most of all, accurate information regarding Hepatitis C?
[#] If I am wanting to access testing am I being offered adequate pre and post test counselling / advice and information.
[#] Am I giving my consent to be tested for HCV prior to being offered the test.
[#] If I am choosing not to be tested for HCV am I being given advice regarding harm reduction- the dangers of sharing injecting equipment/paraphernalia.
[#] Is the option of totally confidential testing being offered.
[#] Am I being told of the implications of the test results being on my medical records.
[#] Am I being informed of the dangers in co- infection of different forms of Hepatitis- HAV,HBV,HCV and the dangers this could lead to.
[#] If tested positive for HCV am I being offered the opportunity to be referred to a Liver Specialist.
[#] Am I being informed clearly about the process of initially getting reffered to a liver specialist or clinic.
[#] Do I clearly understand the process from initial testing to follow up testing ,to Liver function testing, to Ultrasound guided liver biopsy and then to treatment if this is appropriate and you fit the treatment criteria.
[#] Do I know about the conventional medical treatment being a combination of medication, Interferon and Ribavirin.
[#] If offered this treatment am I being made clearly aware of,
[1] What these medications actually are and the effects they can have on people choosing to take them.
[2] The chances of this treatment being successful – which is gradually improving , at the moment is approx-45-50% effective.
[3] How these medications need to be taken and how often they need to be taken.

Please note that this treatment is effective and successfull for approximately half the people receiving it and also some people will suffer few side effects from it.

If you are offered treatment and choose to take up this offer try and get as much information and support as possible to help you through this.

Moving on to people who are not offered treatment or choose not to, also people who drop out of treatment (which might be for a number of reasons).

Also people who are HCV + and suffer no symptoms or think they might be HCV+ and want Advice/ information or any kind of support surrounding Hepatitis C and the issues surrounding it.

Being Hep C+ myself and an ex IV drug user I have recently set up a Support Group which people can attend on a regular basis . The groups details are listed below.

HEP C SUPPORT GROUP.

OFFERING
[#] Advice and information regarding HCV.
[#] HCV and HBV testing
[#] HBV vaccinations

Alternative treatment options which include
[1] Acupuncture
[2] Massage
[3] Access to Trained Chinese Herbalist for advice/treatment

We also offer:

Benefits and welfare rights advice
Support/advocacy surrounding treatment options.

If you have any positive or negative views or experiences surrounding treatment,advice or information on HCV please feel free to contact the HEP C SUPPORT GROUP or MONKEY, details listed below.

HEP C SUPPORT GROUP, C/O The Waterloo Project, Youth Action Building, Brentfield Avenue, Cheetham Hill, Manchester M8 OTW

Tel NO: 07866 555802 Contact Name: Steve Wright.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Comic Relief for giving a grant to help develop the group. Many thanks

Steve Wright ( Chair of Hep C Group )