A message from Dr. Helena Swinkels, Senior Medical Officer in the FNHA’s Office of the Chief Medical Officer, and Andrea Derban, Nurse Specialist in the FNHA’s Community Health & Wellness Services department
World Hepatitis Day is on July 28th, so it’s a great time to talk about chronic viral hepatitis – what it is, why you should get tested to find out if you have it, how you can protect yourself from getting it, and, if you do have it, where you can find information and resources for how to treat or manage it.
Many people with chronic viral hepatitis, including Indigenous people in BC, don’t know they have it. This means they’re not getting the treatment they need and may be spreading it to others. For this reason, the First Nations Health Authority’s Office of the Chief Medical Officer and Community Health & Wellness Services department encourage Indigenous people in BC to speak with their health care provider about getting tested. As your health and wellness partners, we’ve put together some brief information to help in making your decision.
What is hepatitis?
Hepatitis is a general term for inflammation of the liver. It has many causes, including excessive alcohol consumption and infections. Our message today focuses on hepatitis B and C, which are long-term, chronic viral infections that can lead to cirrhosis, liver failure and liver cancer. Many people with hepatitis B and C infections have no symptoms at all, sometimes for many years, even though their liver is being damaged.
Why is testing for hepatitis B and C important?
Because these infections can show no symptoms for a long time, testing is the only way to know you have them. If the test shows you have a hepatitis B or C infection, you can begin the right treatment plan to cure or manage hepatitis and protect others from getting infected. Thanks to recent advances in medicine, most people with hepatitis C can be cured with treatment, and this is now free in BC. Not all chronic hepatitis B infections need treatment, but monitoring is important.
Who should get tested for hepatitis B and C?
Anyone who is at risk of hepatitis B or C should get tested. As both are spread through contact with infected blood and body fluids, the risk factors for them are similar. They including having:
• injected drugs or shared needles (even once);
• had an infected sexual partner (particularly a risk for hepatitis B);
• received medical/dental care – or tattoos, piercings, or manicures/pedicures – in places that don’t properly sterilize their equipment (such as unlicensed clinics or sub-standard tattoo/piercing/nail salons in North America or overseas);
• received a blood transfusion before blood banks began screening for hepatitis B and C; or
• had a mother who was infected at the time of your birth.
Recent guidelines recommend that all Canadians born between 1945 and 1975 get tested once for hepatitis C even if they don’t have other risk factors. If you have questions, your health care provider is a great place to start. They can help you understand your risk and need for testing.
How can I protect myself from viral hepatitis?
Prevention is always best. If you inject drugs, use a new, sterile needle every time and never share needles. Use condoms during sex. If you are getting tattoos, make sure you’re at a licensed studio with high-quality infection-control procedures in place, including the use of new, sterile needles, ink and equipment every time. Also, never share personal hygiene items (e.g., razors, toothbrushes, nail clippers).
The hepatitis B vaccine provides excellent protection against hepatitis B and is provided free to all kids born in BC since 1980 and to others at risk. Talk to your health care provider about whether you should get a hepatitis B vaccine if you have not already had one. There is not a vaccination for hepatitis C yet.
Because we’re talking about hepatitis and vaccines, we want to mention the hepatitis A vaccine. The hepatitis A virus does not cause chronic illness, is mostly passed through food and water or contact with infected feces (such as changing diapers), and the vaccine is excellent. Immunization is provided free for all Indigenous children in BC between the ages of six months and 18 years. Again, your health care provider can help you decide whether it is right for you.
The FNHA’s Indigenous Wellness Team (L-R): Andrea Medley, Indigenous Wellness Educator; Andrea Derban, Clinical Nurse Specialist; Len Pierre, Indigenous Wellness Cultural Designer; Cherlyn Cortes, an HIV Nurse Educator (VCH); and Janine Stevenson, Clinical Nurse Specialist.
For more information on hepatitis vaccines, see:
For further information on hepatitis B and C, see: