Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C is a virus that attacks the liver; it is easily treated with short courses of tablets.

Common ways of getting Hepatitis C include:

• sex, more common when having anal sex, including fisting and sharing sex toys
• sharing contaminated spoons, needles and filters to inject drugs (drug works)
• sharing notes for snorting drugs
• transmission from mother to child.

Most people do not have any symptoms.

In early infection, you may feel sick or vomit, have a loss of appetite, get itchy skin, jaundice (yellow skin and whites of eyes, and dark urine), diarrhoea or a mild flu-like illness.

If people get chronic (long-term) infection, they can get liver scarring (cirrhosis) and it can lead to life threatening liver failure.

Hepatitis C is tested for with a blood test and you can get this from Leeds Sexual Health or your GP.

It can take 3 to 6 months for Hepatitis C to show up on a blood test, it is important to do another test 6 months after a new risk (possible exposure).

You can use the Service Finder below to find a testing service near you.

If your test shows that you have active Hepatitis C infection, the Leeds Sexual Health team will let you know.  We will invite you in for some further blood tests, and refer you to the Hepatitis C team, who will offer the treatment most appropriate for you.

It is important to tell any people you have sex with that you have active Hepatitis C. They will need to get a test too. We can support with this. Condoms should be worn during sex (particularly anal sex).

If you inject drugs, it is important you do not share equipment or works. Drug works (needles, filters, spoons and syringes) can be accessed for free from Forward Leeds.

If you need further information about opening times and how to contact us please visit the contact us page.