Ex-drug addict warns about hepatitis

An ex-drug addict from Stroud is urging people to get checked for hepatitis C.

Nigel Calvert contracted the virus in the 1980s but after treatment was given the all-clear in 2002.

He believes he may have contracted it though sharing needles and has been clean of drugs since 2004.

Mr Calvert is now an NHS drug and alcohol advocacy worker and underlined the importance of checks.

He said: "It is important to check because there is more than one route to catching hepatitis C which is something the general public don't seem aware of.

"It is a blood-borne virus which means you can catch it from sharing a toothbrush or razor.

"It isn't just drug users who can get it."

A new campaign urging checks for at-risk groups starts this week, and anyone who fears they may have hepatitis C can do a self assessment over the telephone or on the internet.

Beach Boy guitarist David Marks, Aerosmith lead singer Steven Tyler, Clash drummer Topper Headon, Body Shop founder Dame Anita Roddick, society girl Jazzy de Lisser, and Baywatch star Pamela Anderson all have been diagnosed with hepatitis C, which can affect people from all walks of life and can remain undetected for many years.

As a Department of Health awareness campaign gets underway, everyone is reminded to be alert to the risks of infection.

Marks, Tyler, and Headon are all thought to have become infected through injecting drugs. However, there are other ways in which hepatitis C can be transmitted – socialite Jazzy de Lisser was born with the infection having acquired it from her mother. Body Shop founder Dame Anita Roddick, contracted the infection following a blood transfusion in the early 1970s.

Before visiting their GPs, people concerned they may have hepatitis C are advised to self-assess their possible risk using the NHS Choices website or confidential telephone hotline. Currently, the greatest risk of transmission in this country is through sharing equipment for injecting drugs. People may also be at risk of infection if they received a blood transfusion before September 1991 or blood products before 1986 in the UK.

■ Anyone who may be at risk can visit www.nhs.uk/hepc or call the free and confidential information line on 0800 181 4114.