It’s World Hepatitis Day today, Sunday 28 July, and the St George’s Viral Hepatitis Team in Tooting are continuing to encourage local people to get tested for hepatitis C.

Hepatitis C is a blood borne virus. People can become infected by coming into contact with the blood of a person who already has it.

It’s known as a silent disease as there are generally no or minimal symptoms so the majority of people are not aware they have contracted it. However new direct acting anti-viral (DAA) oral drugs cure approximately 95% of infected patients.

People who inject drugs are at the highest risk of hepatitis C. Less common causes include unprotected sex, blood donations before September 1991, blood transfusion and treatment abroad, sharing toothbrushes and razors, tattooing, and body piercing, You can't catch hepatitis C from kissing, toilet seats, hugging or sharing kitchen utensils.

Getting tested

If you think you are at risk of hepatitis C  and would like to be tested, please make an appointment with your GP. Alternatively, you can be tested in the following community pharmacies:

• Pearl Chemist, 159 Mitcham Road, Tooting, SW17 9PG
• Lords Pharmacy, 98 Tooting High Street, SW17 ORR
• Earlsfield Pharmacy, 595 Garratt Lane, Earlsfield, SW18 4SU
• Pearl Chemist, 11 The Broadway, Tolworth, Surbiton KT6 7DJ
• Barkers Chemist, 49 Falcon Rd, London SW11 2PH
• Barkers Chemist, 245 Garratt Ln, Southfields, London SW18 4DU

For more information contact the Viral Hepatitis Team by calling 0208 725 0758 or email stgh-tr.HCVreferral@nhs.net

The St George’s Viral Hepatitis Team work with local community services to provide testing, treatment and education through the South Thames Hepatitis C Operational Delivery Network (ODN), which is jointly led by St George’s and King’s College Hospital to support NHS England’s ambition to eliminate hepatitis C by 2025.

This article would not be possible without the support of our fantastic Community Partners. Click here to find out more.