Hepatitis awareness

WITH the World Hepatitis Day approaching later this month NHS Shetland is calling on local risk groups to get tested.

Public health specialist Wendy Hatrick said the Scottish campaign this year would focus on hepatitis C, for which no vaccine is available.

She said: “There are a growing number of people in Shetland diagnosed with Hepatitis C.

“Even though Scotland has a world leading approach to Hepatitis C if you haven’t been tested and diagnosed, you can’t be treated and your health may significantly suffer as a result.

“If you have ever injected drugs and been at risk by sharing not just a needle or syringe, but water, spoon, filter or tourniquet, please get a test.

“Many who assume they may be positive are not. If however you are, treatment is available and is ever increasingly more effective”.

Testing is available locally via GP practices or the Shetland Sexual Health and Wellbeing Clinic.