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People infected with hepatitis C virus often show no symptoms initially, but long term effects can include liver damage (cirrhosis and liver cancer). The virus is transmitted mainly through contact with the blood of an infected person, and drug users who share injecting equipment are at particular risk. Babies can also be infected by their mothers during birth. No vaccine exists to prevent hepatitis C infection, but treatments are available that are effective in over 50% of cases.
Other key Hepatitis C publications for health practitioners.
Links to websites containing information about Hepatitis C.
Published: 23/01/2004
Health Secretary John Reid today announced a scheme by which, people infected with hepatitis C from NHS blood or blood products will be eligible to receive ex-gratia payments from the Department of Health.
Advises Chief Medical Officers in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland on appropriate policies for the prevention and control of viral hepatitis in the community and in health care settings.
