Key Summary
- NHS has done over 100,000 free hepatitis C home tests since May 2023, saving hundreds of lives
- The virus is often hidden but curable in 9/10 cases; highest rates are in deprived groups and ages 35–49
- Tests are online in English and Urdu, plus wider NHS community and hospital testing, aiming for elimination before 2030
NHS has achieved a milestone of conducting over 100,000 tests for hepatitis C through its confidential home testing system in England.
Hepatitis C is a fatal virus that results in liver failure or cancer, if ignored.
As per the recent data, nearly 105,998 people have ordered the at-home test since its launch in May 2023.
The innovation has saved around 225 people from lethal virus via timely detection and treatment.
The self-test kit uses a finger prick blood sample sent to a lab. Positive cases are contacted and referred for treatment.
The virus can be quickly cured with appropriate anti-viral medication and timely care help nine out of ten positive cases survive.
However, the disease barely displays any symptoms, and hence it is important to trace hidden cases.
Injecting drug use, sharing needles, drug paraphernalia and history of prison are some of the common causes.
“If you’ve ever injected drugs, even just once a long time ago, it’s important to get tested. You should also get tested if you’ve had medical treatment abroad and are unsure if the equipment was sterilized,” warned Sema Mandal, deputy director, Blood Safety, Hepatitis, STIs and HIV at UK Health Security Agency.
England is reportedly on track to fully eradicate the virus, ahead of the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) 2030 goal.
This is a collaborative effort of the NHS, public health teams and charities here.
The positivity rates of the virus is the highest among those in the age groups of 40-44 years and 45-49 years (0.81 per cent), followed by 35-39 years (0.6 per cent).
Among the infected individual, 70 per cent belong to the deprived category of the population.
Over 130 people had unclear RNA results and were sent for further NHS testing, with some expected to test positive.
The home testing portal is available in English and Urdu, to supports those at risk of hepatitis C from exposure in countries like Pakistan and India.
“If you or someone you know might be at risk, order a free and confidential test today via the NHS hepatitis C testing website – it could save your life,” said Meghana Pandit, NHS national medical director.
Alongside home-testing kits, the NHS also offers a comprehensive hepatitis C testing programme, including in emergency departments, mobile testing vans in the community and drug and alcohol services.
