Peer HepC Testing

What is Hep C?

Hepatitis C is a viral infection caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV). HCV is transmitted through blood-to-blood contact, and causes inflammation of the liver. The most common routes of transmission include sharing needles or other drug-injection equipment, unsterilized medical equipment, and, less frequently, through sexual contact or from mother to child during birth. Sharing personal hygiene equipment, such as razors or toothbrushes, may also transmit, as well as home tattoos and piercings.

In Aotearoa, HCV is a significant public health issue. There are about 500 new cases of hepatitis C in NZ each year, with an estimated 20,000 people living with the virus.  Chronic hepatitis C can lead to serious liver damage, cirrhosis, liver cancer, or liver failure if left untreated. However, with early detection and modern antiviral treatment, it is a curable infection.

Hep C and Harm Reduction

Hepatitis C transmission is closely associated with the sharing of needles and other injecting equipment. The NZNEP plays a critical role in harm reduction strategies aimed at reducing the spread of blood-borne viruses like Hep C. We offer free sterile syringes and needles to people who inject drugs, alongside educational resources on safe injecting practices. 

Hep C Testing and Treatment

Hepatitis C is often asymptomatic in the early stages, meaning many people living with the infection may not know they have it. This makes regular testing essential, especially for individuals at higher risk, such as those who inject drugs, people who have received blood transfusions before 1992, or those who have had exposure to unsterilized needles or medical equipment, or been in prison.

The New Zealand Ministry of Health recommends that people in high-risk groups undergo regular Hepatitis C testing. Hep C testing is now more accessible than ever, with rapid point-of-care testing available at Needle Exchange sites and other community health centres. It’s quick, painless and done in a confidential, non-judgemental environment. 

Maviret, the treatment for Hep C, is fully funded in Aotearoa. Each tablet has a combination of two anti-viral medicines. For most people, treatment will consist of three tablets, once a day, for eight weeks (you may need to be on it for a longer duration if you've been treated for hepatitis C before or have cirrhosis). The cure rate for Maviret is between 95 - 99%.

If you or someone you know is at risk of Hepatitis C, get tested today

Hep C Facts

1. Hepatitis C wasn’t discovered until 1989, when scientists first identified the virus that causes it. Before then, doctors referred to it as non-A, non-B hepatitis because it didn’t fit into the categories of hepatitis A or B.
   
   
2. Not all people with Hepatitis C feel sick. Many people with the virus don’t show symptoms for decades. About 25% of people with hepatitis C clear the virus without medication.
   
   
3. Hepatitis C is one of the most treatable viral infections. The development of direct-acting antivirals has made treatment highly effective, with over 95-99% cure rates for most people.
   
   
4. A simple finger prick test is all you need to check for Hep C antibodies. We can do this at any of the locations on our calendar! Peer testing at all our sites is a confidential and compassionate process. 

Testing calendar

Treatment Resources