High-risk lifestyle

About Health –

Nafeica thinks she became infected through drug use

When hepatitis C was first discovered 21 years ago, Nafeica Wafaquani was herself just 21.

She knew nothing of the virus and was by her own admission living a high-risk lifestyle – injecting drugs and not practising safe sex.

"Although we did not know much about hep C," she said. "We did know about HIV so I should have been taking precautions.

"I liked to be pretty rebellious. I was part of a whole subculture who felt that personal was political, squatting was a social statement, drug use was personal choice and sex was as and when a woman wanted it.

Risky lifestyle

"I took a lot of risks, of STDs, unwanted pregnancies, and putting myself in dangerous situations.

"Of course my attitude has changed. I’m now horrified at how many risks I took."

I have been very lucky as I have a strong liver, which has not degenerated much Nafeica Wafaquani

Nafeica does not know exactly how and when she became infected, but believes it could have been through her ex-partner’s habit of sharing needles.

Eight years ago, after learning more about the disease, Nafeica decided to get herself tested.

"I knew I had put myself at risk when younger so it did not come as a huge surprise to be honest, but I had not shown any symptoms," she said.

"I had a lot of fatigue and depression and achy bones, but did not realise it was the hep C."

Future looks promising

Dr Kosh Agarwal, consultant hepatologist at King’s College Hospital, London, said the future is far from bleak for people like Nafeica.

He says doctors can now cure 50% of cases, rising to 80% for some of those with certain genome types.

People worried they might be at risk are being urged to get tested

"Hepatitis C is a disease that we can treat effectively," said Dr Agarwal.

"The key issue is awareness, as most people will not have symptoms for many years.

"Hep C can be cured and the treatments are much better. We can cure 50% of people who come through the door with hep C, but the treatments last between six months to a year.

"I believe very strongly in the next two to three years that we are going to have a whole new batch of antiviral drugs that are going to change the way we treat hep C.

"We are very positive – so get tested and get treated. It is not a death sentence unless you come too late," he said.

Dr Agarwal urged everyone at risk to come for testing, whether or not they had symptoms.

HEPATITIS C TRANSMISSION ROUTES Sharing drug-taking equipment Blood transfusions and blood products – if you received a blood transfusion before September 1991 or blood products before 1986 in the UK From infected mother to baby, before or during birth Through unprotected sex with someone who has the virus Medical and dental treatment abroad, where unsterile equipment may have been used Tattooing, ear or body piercing, acupuncture, electrolysis and semi-permanent make-up where unsterile equipment may have been used By sharing razors or toothbrushes that may have been contaminated with blood from someone who is infected

"Most people who get hep C are unlikely to have much in the way of symptoms so therefore don’t really know that they have hep C it is a sneaky virus that can sit in the background of the liver and cause damage over time.

"If untreated over a significant period of time, hep C can cause end-stage liver disease," he said.

Professor Howard Thomas, professor of medicine at Imperial College, London, and director of the liver and anti-viral centre at St Mary’s Hospital, agreed: "Hepatitis C remains a serious public health threat but it has very quickly become manageable, now being curable in the majority of cases.

"The biggest barrier to successful recovery is not lack of effective antiviral treatment, but the fact that so many people don’t know they have it. I’d urge all those who may be at risk to get tested and treated."

Nafeica, from Wiltshire, said she is very hopeful for her future.

"I have been very lucky as I have a strong liver, which has not degenerated much.

"I have started now on the treatment and have the genome type which responds well to it," she said.