Nurses do their bit for hepatitis C awareness

Specialist nurses have been raising awareness of hepatitis C at North Manchester General Hospital.

Hepatitis specialist nurses Sue Russell and Jayne Dodd who work at Pennine Acute Trust's department of infectious diseases and tropical medicine, gave help and advice about hepatitis C to hospital visitors via a stand in the main hospital entrance

Ms Russell explained that most people did not experience any symptoms when they first become infected but left untreated the infection could cause serious liver damage. Testing is therefore important to clear the hepatitis C virus to prevent progression.

'There are an estimated 30,000 people in Manchester who are infected,' she said. 'We were keen to raise the awareness of both patients and staff visiting the hospital and to let people know where they could get tested.' 

The event was held as part of World Hepatitis Day last month. Approximately 200,000 to 500,000 people in the UK are infected with hepatitis C in the UK.