The Hidden Epidemic of Viral Hepatitis

"The silent killer"—that's what hepatitis C is called. This is because most people who are infected with the hepatitis C virus don't feel it, have no symptoms, and can feel fine for many years. 

Yuriy Voynalovich, leader of the viral hepatitis patient community at the NGO "BCD," on the air with #VGOLOS on Radio Kyiv FM, hosted by Kateryna Tereshchenko.

• What are the statistics on hepatitis C in Ukraine?
• Is there a hidden hepatitis C epidemic in Ukraine?
• Is hepatitis a death sentence?  
• What results can be achieved by starting treatment early?
• Is a full recovery possible? 
•  Or is this a lifelong treatment?
• How much does a course of hepatitis C treatment cost?
•  How often does it need to be repeated?
• Is treatment covered by the government?
• How much does it cost?

It often happens that the disease shows no symptoms at all, and a person finds out they have hepatitis by chance. For months, they treat a rash with a dermatologist, joint pain with a rheumatologist, or chronic fatigue with a neurologist, and later it turns out that these are symptoms of chronic hepatitis.

• Are there really no clear symptoms that can help identify hepatitis C?
• In what cases should you get tested, and where?

According to WHO estimates, one in twenty patients who sit in a dentist’s chair and one in twenty clients who place their fingers in a manicurist’s hands are infected. If the instruments have not been properly disinfected and cause a microtrauma, the risk of contracting hepatitis C reaches 3%.

How can you protect yourself from this?