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Treatment for BBVs

If you do test positive and it is confirmed you have a chronic blood borne virus (BBV), there is care and treatment available. 

Hepatitis C

Medicines are now available to cure hepatitis C. Current medicines are easy to take with as little as one tablet a day, no injections and most people experience few to no side effects.

The medicines, known as direct-acting antivirals (or DAAs) are very effective for most people who take them. Generally, you will need to take 1 to 3 tablets for 8 to 12 weeks, depending on which medicine you are using.

For more information about hepatitis C, visit Hepatitis Australia.

Hepatitis B

Currently there is no cure for chronic hepatitis B infection, but with regular liver checks every six months, you can monitor the impacts of the virus. If liver checks show the virus is damaging your liver, you may need to start treatment to manage the effects of the virus. 

You can get vaccinated against hepatitis B. You should have a blood test before getting the vaccine. This will check whether you already have hepatitis B or if you are already immune.

For more information about hepatitis B, visit Hepatitis Australia

HIV

There is currently no cure for HIV, but there is effective treatment which can manage the effects of the virus and prevent transmission to others. Antiretroviral medications work by stopping the virus replicating in the body. They help the person’s immune system to stay healthy and reduce the risk of disease advancement.  

For more information about HIV, visit Health Equity Matters.

More information

References