Millions of people are preparing to celebrate the sixth annual World Hepatitis Day on Sunday July 28 with aims to raise awareness for the millions of people globally who suffer from the condition.
Hepatitis is a medical condition which causes inflammation of the liver with viral hepatitis having two strains, B and C, with the latter the more common form with a wider range of support available.
In Manchester alone 16,000 people suffer from Hepatitis C, the highest rates in England, yet surprisingly some admit that more support should be available in the city to advise those affected.
Stewart Moors, a hepatitis C support worker from Trafford’s health and social care charity BHA, admits that since becoming part of the organisation three years ago awareness in Manchester has plummeted.
“When I started working part-time as an expert patient support worker there was a big drive going on in Manchester about Hepatitis C awareness and testing,” he said.
“There was a lot of help out there from support workers like me and also three Hepatitis C support groups but there are now none.”
Yet, Stewart still works hard to give advice and support for people with the condition, promoting grants and aid available for those with hepatitis.
“Medication can have some bad side effects so I help to deal with any issues like debt, housing or welfare benefits so that those who are diagnosed can concentrate on treatment,” he said.
“I also used to man stalls at events to promote Hepatitis C awareness and also do presentations but find this hard as I only work a few hours a week on the Hepatitis C project.”
Tina*, a sufferer from Manchester was diagnosed with hepatitis B in the 1970’s and believes that there is much more help available with the ‘C’ strain than there was 40 years ago.
“Hepatitis C is more common in the UK and it generally has support groups and more online support forums,” she said.
“There were no support groups in existence then when I was first told I had hepatitis. I was diagnosed while giving blood, not via a GP who might have offered advice, so I didn’t get any support! There was no internet then to look up facts and get help via online forums.
“Nowadays I don’t think there are any specific support groups for Hepatitis B in Manchester but there are new treatments for both strains and research is on-going for further new options. Online support wasn’t available 10 years ago but is now.”
For more information on World Hepatitis Day, click here.
*Real names have not been used
Image courtesy of Yanivba via Flickr, with thanks.
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