Dr Brian Iddon MP Gets Tested for World Hepatitis Day
19th May 2008
To mark the first ever World Hepatitis Day on Monday 19 May, Bolton South East MP, Brian Iddon has taken a hepatitis B and C test to help raise awareness of the shocking fact that approximately 1 in 12 of the world population are infected with chronic hepatitis B or C.
Hepatitis C is often known as the ‘silent killer’ as people can live with it undiagnosed and without symptoms for many years. Most people with hepatitis B or C are undiagnosed and Dr Iddon hopes that by getting tested, he will encourage people in Bolton to get a test if they think they have been at risk of contracting either of the potentially deadly diseases.
It is estimated that there are 230,000-466,000 people living with hepatitis C in England, but less than 70,000 have been diagnosed. Around 320,000 people are living with hepatitis B in the UK, and this number is increasing (figures from the HPA, The Hepatitis C Trust and The Hepatitis B Foundation.
Dr Iddon MP said:
“As the Vice Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Hepatology, I am delighted to show my support for World Hepatitis Day by getting a hepatitis B and C test. It is staggering that almost 500 million people in the world have hepatitis B or C. These are serious diseases which kill 1.5 million people a year. Worldwide the great majority of those infected are unaware of their status.
“This is equally true in the UK and worryingly, most people don’t understand infection risks. If you think you may have been at risk of contracting either hepatitis B or C, then ask your GP for a test.”
Charles Gore, Chief Executive of The Hepatitis C Trust, said:
“I am delighted that Brian Iddon has shown his commitment to World Hepatitis Day by getting a hepatitis B and C test.
“The lack of awareness about viral hepatitis in the UK and abroad is causing huge numbers of preventable deaths. I hope that World Hepatitis Day will focus attention on these neglected diseases. Countless lives could be saved if more people got tested, diagnosed and then received the care, support and treatment they are entitled to.”
Dr Iddon is pictured here having a test for hepatitis on World Hepatitis Day
1. On Wednesday 21st May Dr Iddon will lead a debate on Liver Diseases in Westminster Hall to draw the Governments attention to these issues.
2. More about World Hepatitis Day:
- 19 May 2008 will be the first global World Hepatitis Day
- Over 200 patient groups on all continents will be organising campaigning and awareness activities on May 19th, encouraging people to ask themselves, ‘am I number 12?’
- More details can be found at www.aminumber12.org
3. More about hepatitis C:
- Hepatitis C is a blood-borne virus that principally affects the liver
- Liver damage occurs slowly over 20-30 years and can lead to liver scarring (fibrosis), cirrhosis and ultimately to liver cancer or liver failure and death
- It can be symptom-less which has led hepatitis C to be termed ‘The Silent Epidemic’
- There are estimated to be between 231,000 (Health Protection Agency) to 466,000 (University of Southampton research) infected with hepatitis C in England
- Yearly deaths from hepatitis C have trebled in the last 10 years
- There is no vaccine but treatment is available which can cure the disease in around half of patients
- More details about hepatitis C can be found at www.hepctrust.org.uk
- Hepatitis C is transmitted by blood to blood contact. You can assess your risk by asking the following questions:
Have you had a blood transfusion before September 1991?
Have you had a medical or dental procedure in a developing country?
Have you had a tattoo, a piercing or acupuncture in unlicensed premises?
Have you ever injected drugs, including steroids, even once?
Have you regularly shared notes or straws for snorting cocaine?
Have you regularly shared razors or toothbrushes with anyone who might have been at risk for any for the reasons above?
- The Hepatitis C Trust’s helpline: 0845 223 4424
4. More about hepatitis B:
- Hepatitis B is transmitted by exposure (through broken skin or mucous membrane) to infected blood and other body fluids
- In areas of the world where hepatitis B infection is highly endemic the virus is mainly spread from mother to baby at birth or from person to person (via skin grazes etc) in early childhood
- A safe and effective vaccination is available against hepatitis B infection. Eighty-five per cent of countries in the world have implemented universal hepatitis B vaccination but the UK operates selective vaccination of high-risk groups
- More details about hepatitis B can be found at www.hepb.org.uk
5. For further information, please contact Brian Iddon's Westminster office on 0207 219 2096