World Hepatitis Day is held annually on 28 July. In 2025 we come together globally to share the message It’s time for action: hepatitis C and liver health remain important issues for our community and acting now is vital.
IN SHORT – DON’T DELAY!
- Are you at risk? Do you know your hep C status? Find out if you don’t know
- Hep C can be cured. Treatment is simple
- Do you need ongoing liver health monitoring? Ask your doctor.
- A healthy liver is vital to us all. Take steps to look after your liver health.
A healthy liver is important to us all, whether we have had hep C or not. Your liver has a lot of different jobs to do to keep your body working well.
Click here for 5 ways to keep your liver healthy.
HEP C AND BLEEDING DISORDERS
You may be aware that in Australia many people with bleeding disorders acquired hepatitis C from treatment with blood products before 1993. Several safety measures were introduced by 1993 and the risk of hep C or HIV from plasma-derived clotting factor products in Australia is now considered to be extremely low. But many people in our community live on with the consequences of those early infections.
Current hep C treatments are simple and easy – a once-daily tablet, with few if any side-effects and very high cure rates. Most Australians with bleeding disorders and hep C have now had treatment and been cured – but some need ongoing care for their liver health.
WHO IS AT RISK?
Are you over 30 years of age and have a bleeding disorder, or carry the gene?
If you had a blood product before 1993 – even once – you could be at risk.
Nearly 1 in 5 Australians with hepatitis C have never been diagnosed and don’t know they have hep C. Symptoms are not always obvious.
You can have a free hep C blood test to find out your hep C status if you don’t know – your GP or your HTC can organise it. And if you do have hep C, you can have treatment to be cured.
POST CURE LIVER HEALTH
Cured of hep C? Has your liver recovered?
Although you might think it’s all OK, you may not notice liver disease symptoms. Ignoring your liver health can have serious consequences.
It’s important to know the status of your liver health when you were cured. This determines whether you will need ongoing monitoring.
If you don’t know, take the time today to contact your hepatitis doctor or your GP to check your liver test results. Find out if you need ongoing follow-up with a liver specialist.
Remember: If you had cirrhosis or extensive scarring before being cured of hep C, you will still need to have a liver ultrasound scan every 6 months long-term.
HEP C AND GENE THERAPY
Interested in gene therapy for haemophilia? You may be wondering if you are eligible if you have had hep C and been cured. We asked the medical experts – read their answer here.
PERSONAL STORIES
Several community members have generously shared their personal stories about their hep C journey, clearing hep C and the importance of managing your liver health.
You can find more information on the HFA World Hepatitis Day page.
