FAQs Plus

Where ever possible we encourage you to visit a GP or medical facility where a RNA PCR type test can be conducted, this is the definitive single test that can lead to diagnosis and treatment. Where this is not possible, or you do not wish to engage with medical people or practice, you can use the Health Network Collective app to request an antibody Point of Care Test (POCT) by one of our community testers. That is, where the service is available. In the event your antibody POCT test is positive you will need another RNA PCR test, either finger prick or venous blood sample, to have a definitive diagnosis and get linked to treatment.

The current available treatment(s) have a 95-99% success rate in curing Hepatitis C (HCV) infection.

Treatment involves a eight (8) to twelve (12) week course of Maviret or Mavyret (spelling location dependent)

This medication consists of Glecaprivar and Pibrentasvir, with the most common side effects being occasional tiredness and headaches.

Please note that NOT all countries have listed this medication as a publicly funded medication, your local health professional will be able to inform you of availability.

Where ever possible we encourage you to visit a GP or medical facility where a RNA PCR type test can be conducted, this is the definitive single test that can lead to diagnosis and treatment. Where this is not possible, or you do not wish to engage with medical people or practice, you can use the Health Network Collective app to request an antibody Point of Care Test (POCT) by one of our community testers. That is, where the service is available. In the event your antibody POCT test is positive you will need another RNA PCR test, either finger prick or venous blood sample, to have a definitive diagnosis and get linked to treatment.

A Hepatitis C RNA test (sometimes called a PCR test), is a laboratory based test using either a large “finger prick” sample of blood or venous blood sample detecting whether the Hepatitis C virus is present in the blood stream or not. A positive test indicates the virus is present and indicates treatment is required.

RNA PCR testing is (in general terms) a quantitative test measuring viral load, or if the virus is present in the blood sample.

Ribonucleic acid (RNA) is a molecule that is present in the majority of living organisms and viruses. It is made up of nucleotides, which are ribose sugars attached to nitrogenous bases and phosphate groups.

The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a method widely used to make millions to billions of copies of a specific DNA sample rapidly, allowing scientists to amplify a very small sample of DNA (or a part of it) sufficiently to enable detailed study.

RNA PCR testing is, where possible, our preferred test as it involves only a single test. For this you will need to speak to your health professional or contact your local laboratory service to check on availability.

Anyone has the potential to become a tester. Ideally testers will be part of an existing entity that has access into or works with marginalised, low income, PWID or challenging to access populations and individuals. Ethnic and equity health providers are welcomed. Health network Collective does need to be active in your country although exceptions for certain entities working with vulnerable populations is always a welcomed consideration for support.

The current available treatment(s) have a 95-99% success rate in curing Hepatitis C (HCV) infection.

Treatment involves a eight (8) to twelve (12) week course of Maviret or Mavyret (spelling location dependent)

This medication consists of Glecaprivar and Pibrentasvir, with the most common side effects being occasional tiredness and headaches.

Please note that NOT all countries have listed this medication as a publicly funded medication, your local health professional will be able to inform you of availability.

Where ever possible we encourage you to visit a GP or medical facility where a RNA PCR type test can be conducted, this is the definitive single test that can lead to diagnosis and treatment. Where this is not possible, or you do not wish to engage with medical people or practice, you can use the Health Network Collective app to request an antibody Point of Care Test (POCT) by one of our community testers. That is, where the service is available. In the event your antibody POCT test is positive you will need another RNA PCR test, either finger prick or venous blood sample, to have a definitive diagnosis and get linked to treatment.

We encourage everyone to get at least one test in their lifetime, and sooner rather than later. If you are engaged in any at risk activity we recommend you get tested every 6 months to yearly. Such activities include sharing drug taking equipment (including utensils used for snorting drugs), unprotected sexual activities with multiple or different partners, tattoos with questionable hygiene or equipment, possible medical contamination or questionable medical procedures (such as developing countries medical facilities where contamination may be possible). If your in doubt get a test. Easy.

This could be likened to Russian Roulette. Chronic hepatitis C infection (that is having undetected HCV infection long term) can remain undetected for years, decades, even lifetime if left untreated. This can lead to serious health issues including, but not limited to, liver damage, cirrhosis (scarring of the liver), liver cancer and even death. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC)

A Hepatitis C RNA test (sometimes called a PCR test), is a laboratory based test using either a large “finger prick” sample of blood or venous blood sample detecting whether the Hepatitis C virus is present in the blood stream or not. A positive test indicates the virus is present and indicates treatment is required.

RNA PCR testing is (in general terms) a quantitative test measuring viral load, or if the virus is present in the blood sample.

Ribonucleic acid (RNA) is a molecule that is present in the majority of living organisms and viruses. It is made up of nucleotides, which are ribose sugars attached to nitrogenous bases and phosphate groups.

The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a method widely used to make millions to billions of copies of a specific DNA sample rapidly, allowing scientists to amplify a very small sample of DNA (or a part of it) sufficiently to enable detailed study.

RNA PCR testing is, where possible, our preferred test as it involves only a single test. For this you will need to speak to your health professional or contact your local laboratory service to check on availability.

Anyone has the potential to become a tester. Ideally testers will be part of an existing entity that has access into or works with marginalised, low income, PWID or challenging to access populations and individuals. Ethnic and equity health providers are welcomed. Health network Collective does need to be active in your country although exceptions for certain entities working with vulnerable populations is always a welcomed consideration for support.

The current available treatment(s) have a 95-99% success rate in curing Hepatitis C (HCV) infection.

Treatment involves a eight (8) to twelve (12) week course of Maviret or Mavyret (spelling location dependent)

This medication consists of Glecaprivar and Pibrentasvir, with the most common side effects being occasional tiredness and headaches.

Please note that NOT all countries have listed this medication as a publicly funded medication, your local health professional will be able to inform you of availability.

Where ever possible we encourage you to visit a GP or medical facility where a RNA PCR type test can be conducted, this is the definitive single test that can lead to diagnosis and treatment. Where this is not possible, or you do not wish to engage with medical people or practice, you can use the Health Network Collective app to request an antibody Point of Care Test (POCT) by one of our community testers. That is, where the service is available. In the event your antibody POCT test is positive you will need another RNA PCR test, either finger prick or venous blood sample, to have a definitive diagnosis and get linked to treatment.

This could be likened to Russian Roulette. Chronic hepatitis C infection (that is having undetected HCV infection long term) can remain undetected for years, decades, even lifetime if left untreated. This can lead to serious health issues including, but not limited to, liver damage, cirrhosis (scarring of the liver), liver cancer and even death. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC)

The current available treatment(s) have a 95-99% success rate in curing Hepatitis C (HCV) infection.

Treatment involves a eight (8) to twelve (12) week course of Maviret or Mavyret (spelling location dependent)

This medication consists of Glecaprivar and Pibrentasvir, with the most common side effects being occasional tiredness and headaches.

Please note that NOT all countries have listed this medication as a publicly funded medication, your local health professional will be able to inform you of availability.

Where ever possible we encourage you to visit a GP or medical facility where a RNA PCR type test can be conducted, this is the definitive single test that can lead to diagnosis and treatment. Where this is not possible, or you do not wish to engage with medical people or practice, you can use the Health Network Collective app to request an antibody Point of Care Test (POCT) by one of our community testers. That is, where the service is available. In the event your antibody POCT test is positive you will need another RNA PCR test, either finger prick or venous blood sample, to have a definitive diagnosis and get linked to treatment.

This could be likened to Russian Roulette. Chronic hepatitis C infection (that is having undetected HCV infection long term) can remain undetected for years, decades, even lifetime if left untreated. This can lead to serious health issues including, but not limited to, liver damage, cirrhosis (scarring of the liver), liver cancer and even death. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC)

The current available treatment(s) have a 95-99% success rate in curing Hepatitis C (HCV) infection.

Treatment involves a eight (8) to twelve (12) week course of Maviret or Mavyret (spelling location dependent)

This medication consists of Glecaprivar and Pibrentasvir, with the most common side effects being occasional tiredness and headaches.

Please note that NOT all countries have listed this medication as a publicly funded medication, your local health professional will be able to inform you of availability.

Where ever possible we encourage you to visit a GP or medical facility where a RNA PCR type test can be conducted, this is the definitive single test that can lead to diagnosis and treatment. Where this is not possible, or you do not wish to engage with medical people or practice, you can use the Health Network Collective app to request an antibody Point of Care Test (POCT) by one of our community testers. That is, where the service is available. In the event your antibody POCT test is positive you will need another RNA PCR test, either finger prick or venous blood sample, to have a definitive diagnosis and get linked to treatment.

We encourage everyone to get at least one test in their lifetime, and sooner rather than later. If you are engaged in any at risk activity we recommend you get tested every 6 months to yearly. Such activities include sharing drug taking equipment (including utensils used for snorting drugs), unprotected sexual activities with multiple or different partners, tattoos with questionable hygiene or equipment, possible medical contamination or questionable medical procedures (such as developing countries medical facilities where contamination may be possible). If your in doubt get a test. Easy.

This could be likened to Russian Roulette. Chronic hepatitis C infection (that is having undetected HCV infection long term) can remain undetected for years, decades, even lifetime if left untreated. This can lead to serious health issues including, but not limited to, liver damage, cirrhosis (scarring of the liver), liver cancer and even death. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC)

A Hepatitis C RNA test (sometimes called a PCR test), is a laboratory based test using either a large “finger prick” sample of blood or venous blood sample detecting whether the Hepatitis C virus is present in the blood stream or not. A positive test indicates the virus is present and indicates treatment is required.

RNA PCR testing is (in general terms) a quantitative test measuring viral load, or if the virus is present in the blood sample.

Ribonucleic acid (RNA) is a molecule that is present in the majority of living organisms and viruses. It is made up of nucleotides, which are ribose sugars attached to nitrogenous bases and phosphate groups.

The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a method widely used to make millions to billions of copies of a specific DNA sample rapidly, allowing scientists to amplify a very small sample of DNA (or a part of it) sufficiently to enable detailed study.

RNA PCR testing is, where possible, our preferred test as it involves only a single test. For this you will need to speak to your health professional or contact your local laboratory service to check on availability.

Anyone has the potential to become a tester. Ideally testers will be part of an existing entity that has access into or works with marginalised, low income, PWID or challenging to access populations and individuals. Ethnic and equity health providers are welcomed. Health network Collective does need to be active in your country although exceptions for certain entities working with vulnerable populations is always a welcomed consideration for support.

The current available treatment(s) have a 95-99% success rate in curing Hepatitis C (HCV) infection.

Treatment involves a eight (8) to twelve (12) week course of Maviret or Mavyret (spelling location dependent)

This medication consists of Glecaprivar and Pibrentasvir, with the most common side effects being occasional tiredness and headaches.

Please note that NOT all countries have listed this medication as a publicly funded medication, your local health professional will be able to inform you of availability.

Where ever possible we encourage you to visit a GP or medical facility where a RNA PCR type test can be conducted, this is the definitive single test that can lead to diagnosis and treatment. Where this is not possible, or you do not wish to engage with medical people or practice, you can use the Health Network Collective app to request an antibody Point of Care Test (POCT) by one of our community testers. That is, where the service is available. In the event your antibody POCT test is positive you will need another RNA PCR test, either finger prick or venous blood sample, to have a definitive diagnosis and get linked to treatment.

We encourage everyone to get at least one test in their lifetime, and sooner rather than later. If you are engaged in any at risk activity we recommend you get tested every 6 months to yearly. Such activities include sharing drug taking equipment (including utensils used for snorting drugs), unprotected sexual activities with multiple or different partners, tattoos with questionable hygiene or equipment, possible medical contamination or questionable medical procedures (such as developing countries medical facilities where contamination may be possible). If your in doubt get a test. Easy.

This could be likened to Russian Roulette. Chronic hepatitis C infection (that is having undetected HCV infection long term) can remain undetected for years, decades, even lifetime if left untreated. This can lead to serious health issues including, but not limited to, liver damage, cirrhosis (scarring of the liver), liver cancer and even death. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC)

A Hepatitis C RNA test (sometimes called a PCR test), is a laboratory based test using either a large “finger prick” sample of blood or venous blood sample detecting whether the Hepatitis C virus is present in the blood stream or not. A positive test indicates the virus is present and indicates treatment is required.

RNA PCR testing is (in general terms) a quantitative test measuring viral load, or if the virus is present in the blood sample.

Ribonucleic acid (RNA) is a molecule that is present in the majority of living organisms and viruses. It is made up of nucleotides, which are ribose sugars attached to nitrogenous bases and phosphate groups.

The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a method widely used to make millions to billions of copies of a specific DNA sample rapidly, allowing scientists to amplify a very small sample of DNA (or a part of it) sufficiently to enable detailed study.

RNA PCR testing is, where possible, our preferred test as it involves only a single test. For this you will need to speak to your health professional or contact your local laboratory service to check on availability.

Anyone has the potential to become a tester. Ideally testers will be part of an existing entity that has access into or works with marginalised, low income, PWID or challenging to access populations and individuals. Ethnic and equity health providers are welcomed. Health network Collective does need to be active in your country although exceptions for certain entities working with vulnerable populations is always a welcomed consideration for support.