A brightly coloured mobile billboard with a powerful message made its way through towns across Southern in late July – and it had one mission: to get people talking about hepatitis C.
As part of Hepatitis Awareness Week and World Hepatitis Day on 28 July, the #HEPCURED Mobile Billboard toured the state from 21 July to 1 August, helping spread the word that hepatitis C can now be cured - simply, safely, and quickly.
In Southern, the tour made local stops at St Benedict’s Community Centre in Karabar and Goulburn Community Health, where members of the HIV and Related Programs and Alcohol and Other Drugs teams, along with peer workers from Hepatitis NSW, were on hand to speak with community members, offer free hepatitis C testing, and share lifesaving information about how to access treatment.
“For many people, hepatitis C feels like something from the past – but there are still people living with the virus who don’t realise they can be cured,” said Chris Bailey-Mills, Clinical Nurse Consultant in Sexual Health.
“We’re working to change that through open conversations and easy access to testing.”
Hepatitis C is an easily cured liver infection that is caused by the hepatitis C virus. It is only passed on through blood-to-blood contact with someone with hepatitis C.
The virus is slow acting, and symptoms may not appear for many years. Hepatitis C can cause long-term liver health problems if left untreated.
In NSW, an estimated 42,000 people are living with hepatitis C. Many don’t know they have it, or they may be living with outdated information about treatment.
Today, cures are available through a short course of tablets – often as simple as 8 to 12 weeks – with very few side effects.
“Testing is easy, and the treatment is free through Medicare,” Chris added.
“Whether it’s for yourself, a friend or a family member, a simple test could be the start of a new chapter.”
The mobile campaign encouraged people to stop by, have a chat with a friendly team member, access a free hepatitis C test, and learn more about how to get cured.
You don’t have to wait for a special event to get tested. Speak with your GP, local sexual health clinic, or visit hepc.org.au to find out how to take the first step towards being cured.