Hepatitis C infection is an inflammation of a person's liver caused by the hepatitis C virus which can cause both acute and chronic hepatitis. The severity of infection can range from a mild illness to a serious, lifelong illness including liver cirrhosis and cancer both of which can lead to death.
The hepatitis C virus is a bloodborne virus most commonly transmitted through the reuse or inadequate sterilization of medical equipment such as syringes and needles in healthcare settings, the transfusion of unscreened blood and blood products, and sharing of injection equipment during drug use.
The World Health Organization stipulate the importance of understanding that hepatitis C is not spread through breast milk, food, water or casual contact such as hugging, kissing and sharing food or drinks with an infected person.
Symptoms of hepatitis C virus infection
Most people do not exhibit symptoms in the first few weeks after they are infected. It can take between two weeks to six months to have symptoms, which can include:
- fever
- feeling very tired
- loss of appetite
- nausea and vomiting
- dark urine
- pale faeces
- joint pain
- jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).
The hepatitis C virus burden
- Globally, an estimated 50 million people have chronic hepatitis C virus infection, with about 1 million new infections occurring per year. 75% of these cases occur within low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
- Approximately 242,000 people died from hepatitis C caused liver diseases; mainly cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (primary liver cancer)
- Antiviral medicines can cure more than 95% of people with hepatitis C infection, but access to diagnosis and treatment is low in LMICs.
Source: World Health Organization: Hepatitis C
LONGEVITY and hepatitis C
Oral drugs for hepatitis C require an extensive regimen that can be difficult to maintain. Replacing these with a single long-acting injection would cure patients of the hepatitis C virus at the point of diagnosis.
Hepatitis C virus can be cured by taking three daily tablets for eight weeks, amounting to 168 tablets for a full course. A long-acting injectable treatment lasting for 8 weeks or more could equate to a single-injection cure for many patients, providing rapid therapy and eliminating issues around pill burden, complex delivery modes and stigma.
Our highly accessible and simple to administer curative treatment could contribute massively to the target set by The World Health Organisation for global elimination of this virus by 2030.
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