Half of people with hepatitis C ‘unaware of their condition’

Around half of the people living with hepatitis C infections are not aware of it, according to a new government report.

Data from Public Health England has revealed that 13,750 hepatitis C infections were diagnosed in 2013 in the UK, with around 90 percent of these cases acquired through injecting drugs.

Around two in five people who inject psychoactive drugs such as heroin, crack and amphetamines are now living with hepatitis C, but half of these infections remain undiagnosed.

The study suggests that further interventions to diagnose infections earlier, reduce transmission and treat those infected are necessary. If caught early, hepatitis C can be successfully treated with antiviral medications.

Dr Vivian Hope, a Public Health England expert in infections among people who inject drugs, said: "We need to do more to increase diagnosis rates. Ultimately, this will help reduce the current high level of infection we’re still seeing among people who inject drugs."

Hepatitis C can cause severe damage to the liver if left untreated. It tends to be more common among men than women, as males are more likely to inject drugs.