Hepatitis  What is Hepatitis?

What is hepatitis?

Many people feel confused and are faced with a range of issues and decisions when they first find out they have hepatitis C.

For basic information, read

Hepatitis C - the facts (Vic Dept Human Services, Australia)

Hepatitis C Council of Victoria (Australia): basic information about hepatitis C, who is at risk, treatments and news on support services

 

Newly Diagnosed with Hep C - Education+Resource Centre/The Alfred, Australia

The ERC Newly Diagnosed with Hep C fact sheet is downloadable in sections:

1. Newly diagnosed               5. Support

2. Transmission                      6. Taking care

3. Disclosure                           7. Test and treatment

4. Discrimination

 

This fact sheet was written in collaboration with the Alfred's Hepatitis C Counsellor, Hepatitis Clinic and a Focus Group of people with hepatitis C. It answers the questions commonly asked by our clients.

For other more detailed basic information, try the Frequently Asked Questions page on the Hepatitis C Council of NSW's website.

You are also very welcome to visit the Education + Resource Centre. At the Centre you can pick up brochures, borrow a video or a book, get some help with searching the Internet or just chill out with a cup of tea or coffee. We can put you in touch with counselling services. This is a free and confidential service.

You may feel the need to talk to someone about your concerns or feelings. Specialist support services can offer you an environment where you can discuss openly whatever you feel you need to. The services are free, non-judgmental and confidential. They also provide advice on other services that may be useful to you and can often arrange to send out information to you. You may feel the need to access a variety of services depending on your needs at the time.

 

Support Groups

Hepatitis C Council of Victoria : a statewide organisation providing community support, resources, referrals, advocacy and education to those affected by hepatitis C.
Ph: (03) 9380 4644 Toll Free: 1800 703 003
The Council offers
*telephone support
*support groups around Melbourne and Victoria
*the Good Liver - a regular newsletter for people living with hepatitis C, which keeps you up-to-date with the latest treatments, issues and social activities
*a hepatitis C information kit

User Groups

VIVAIDS (Victorian Drug User Group)
Ph: (03) 9381 2211
Email: drugsafe@vicnet.net.au

Counselling

Hepatitis C counsellor: located at The Alfred. Referrals through The Alfred, Hepatitis C Council and Royal Children's Hospital.
Contact the Hepatitis C Council for more information: Ph 9380 4644

Positive Counselling, The Bouverie Centre: clinics on Friday
Ph: 9376 9844

Haemophilia Foundation Victoria
Ph: 9276 3061

Telephone services

Hepatitis C Helpline : provides anonymous and confidential telephone counselling and support
Ph: (03) 9349 1111 Toll free: 1800 800 241

Resource centres

Education + Resource Centre : for information resources on all aspects of living with hepatitis C
Includes a free lending library
Ph: (03) 9076 6993 Email: erc@alfred.org.au