Hepatitis C was discovered by scientists in 1988. Before this people with hepatitis C were being diagnosed with “non- A non- B hepatitis”.  Accurate testing for hepatitis C became available in 1990 and it was possible to screen blood and blood products for the virus antibodies. There are a number of people in Australia who contracted hepatitis C from infected blood or blood products prior to 1990.

Hepatitis C is transmitted when infected blood from one person gets into the bloodstream of another person.

About 83% of people who contract hepatitis C in Australia got it through unsafe injecting drug use. Other ways that people have contracted hepatitis C are

 

• unsterile tattooing or body piercing procedures;
• unsterile medical procedures or vaccinations (particularly in countries with high rates of hepatitis C);
• needle-stick injuries in a medical setting;

 

Due to the slow onset of symptoms it is possible some people, who may have previously been at risk do not know they contracted hepatitis C. A few people do not know how they contracted hepatitis C.

Please refer to the main pages for information on Prevention, Management or Treatment of hepatitis C