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1. Are over-the-counter painkillers harmful to the liver?
Generally speaking, over-the-counter painkillers are not harmful to the liver if used as directed, but care should always be taken.
Paracetamol is the safest painkiller for people with hepatitis. It should always be taken as directed, and large amounts of alcohol should be avoided.
Speak with your doctor before taking other painkillers, such as aspirin, codeine, ibuprofen and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
More information:
Hepatitis NSW fact sheet: Painkillers and the liver [PDF: 167KB](new window)
2. Are people who currently inject drugs, or who are on buprenorphine or methadone treatment, eligible for hepatitis C treatment?
People are eligible for hepatitis C treatment even if they are currently injecting drugs.
They are also eligible if they are on methadone or buprenorphine treatment, or are co-infected with HIV.
More information:
Hepatitis Australia: Medical treatments
3. Can you get hepatitis from sex?
The hepatitis A virus is normally contracted through faecal-oral transmission, so care should be taken during sex. Condoms do not protect against heptitis A.
The hepatitis B virus is found in blood. It is also found in semen, vaginal fluids and menstrual blood. All types of sex, including oral, anal and vaginal, can transmit hepatitis B.
Hepatitis C may be transmitted during sex through blood-to-blood contact. This may be through cuts on or close to the genitals, or during anal sex due to the lining of the anus being easily broken. Transmission can also occur if the female partner is menstruating, or during sexual practices that result in bleeding or broken skin.
More information:
Hepatitis NSW fact sheet: Sex and hep C [PDF: 209KB](new window)
4. What are liver function tests?
A liver function test (LFT) is a blood test. It gives an indication of whether the liver is working correctly. It can also help detect active liver damage or sluggish bile (cholestasis).
More information:
Hepatitis NSW fact sheet: Liver function testing [PDF: 170KB](new window)
5. Do clients have to disclose that they have hepatitis C?
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If you are donating blood you must inform the blood bank of your hepatitis status. You may also be required to disclose your status if you are donating bodily organs or semen.
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If you are a health worker who conducts invasive procedures such as taking blood or working with sharp instruments, you maybe required to tell your employer. Requirements for disclosure differ from state to state.
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Some insurance companies require that you disclose any infections, disabilities or illnesses that might influence the company’s decision to insure you.
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You are required to disclose your hepatitis C status if you are applying to join or are an existing member of the Australian Defence Force.
More information:
Hepatitis Australia: Disclosure
Further information and support:
Hepatitis Australia
State and territory hepatitis organisations
Multilingual hepatitis C resources
Australian hepatitis C support (community based information resource)
Web forums
Hep C Australasia Forum
Key reports:
Commonwealth of Australia 2010 Third National Hepatitis C Strategy [PDF: 233KB](new window), Canberra: Commonwealth of Australia
National Centre in HIV Epidemiology and Clinical Research 2010 HIV, viral hepatitis and sexually transmissible infections in Australia Annual Surveillance Report 2010 [PDF: 4MB](new window), Sydney: University of NSW
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