FAQs Plus

If you do develop symptoms from acute infection, the average time from exposure to symptoms ranges from 1 to 12 weeks after becoming infected, while others will experience them 6 months later. In some cases, people can live with hep C for years, and that could be lifetime, before they experience any symptoms at all… Even without symptoms, a person with hep C can still spread the virus to others.

If you’re at risk for hep C (HCV), and have experienced any of the symptoms listed below, speak with your healthcare professional and ask if you should be tested. Or see one of our Health Network Collective Testers.

• Lethargy, fatigue, feeling tired
• Loss of appetitie
• Stomach pain(s)
• Nausea
• Joint pain
• Dark urine
• Pale poo or pale bowel movements
• Jaundice, yellow whites of the eyes and sometime skin.
• And any history of at risk activities, see Am I at Risk

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.

• If you received a blood transfusion or donated organ prior to 1992
• Taking drugs through a needle (injecting), even just once
• Receiving tattoos or piercings, mainly from unlicensed studios or from unsterile practice
• Historic health care in Eastern Europe, Russia, Egypt or North Africa, India or Pakistan
• Your mother or another household member has HCV

Less Common

• Have you ever spent time in prison, (especially prison tattoos)
• Sexual practices that can could cause exposure to blood (such as anal sex)
• Sharing personal items such as toothbrushes and razors
• Snorting drugs (use of straws and other shared means to snort)

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.

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)

An HCV antibody Point of Care (POCT) test is a finger prick test that takes a drop of your blood and mixes with a reagent on a small cassette. The result, positive or negative, is available in as little as 5 minutes on the spot. The test is looking for antibodies to the Hepatitis C virus in your blood. This can be called a qualitative test.

Antibodies are chemicals released into the blood when someone gets infected. Once exposed to the virus you will have antibodies, so a positive test may not mean you are currently infected, just that at some stage you have been exposed. Hence a further RNA PCR quantitative test will be required if positive.

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.

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.

If you do develop symptoms from acute infection, the average time from exposure to symptoms ranges from 1 to 12 weeks after becoming infected, while others will experience them 6 months later. In some cases, people can live with hep C for years, and that could be lifetime, before they experience any symptoms at all… Even without symptoms, a person with hep C can still spread the virus to others.

If you’re at risk for hep C (HCV), and have experienced any of the symptoms listed below, speak with your healthcare professional and ask if you should be tested. Or see one of our Health Network Collective Testers.

• Lethargy, fatigue, feeling tired
• Loss of appetitie
• Stomach pain(s)
• Nausea
• Joint pain
• Dark urine
• Pale poo or pale bowel movements
• Jaundice, yellow whites of the eyes and sometime skin.
• And any history of at risk activities, see Am I at Risk

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.

If you do develop symptoms from acute infection, the average time from exposure to symptoms ranges from 1 to 12 weeks after becoming infected, while others will experience them 6 months later. In some cases, people can live with hep C for years, and that could be lifetime, before they experience any symptoms at all… Even without symptoms, a person with hep C can still spread the virus to others.

If you’re at risk for hep C (HCV), and have experienced any of the symptoms listed below, speak with your healthcare professional and ask if you should be tested. Or see one of our Health Network Collective Testers.

• Lethargy, fatigue, feeling tired
• Loss of appetitie
• Stomach pain(s)
• Nausea
• Joint pain
• Dark urine
• Pale poo or pale bowel movements
• Jaundice, yellow whites of the eyes and sometime skin.
• And any history of at risk activities, see Am I at Risk

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)

• If you received a blood transfusion or donated organ prior to 1992
• Taking drugs through a needle (injecting), even just once
• Receiving tattoos or piercings, mainly from unlicensed studios or from unsterile practice
• Historic health care in Eastern Europe, Russia, Egypt or North Africa, India or Pakistan
• Your mother or another household member has HCV

Less Common

• Have you ever spent time in prison, (especially prison tattoos)
• Sexual practices that can could cause exposure to blood (such as anal sex)
• Sharing personal items such as toothbrushes and razors
• Snorting drugs (use of straws and other shared means to snort)

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.

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)

About us Analysis Charitable Trust Charity Coming Soon Contact course development education HCV test Health Network Collective HealthNetworkCollective HooperNewton.com LMS Masters Micro-Credential Mobile Application MTF NZQA POCT point of care test R&D Research and Development Survey technology testing training Who we are

An HCV antibody Point of Care (POCT) test is a finger prick test that takes a drop of your blood and mixes with a reagent on a small cassette. The result, positive or negative, is available in as little as 5 minutes on the spot. The test is looking for antibodies to the Hepatitis C virus in your blood. This can be called a qualitative test.

Antibodies are chemicals released into the blood when someone gets infected. Once exposed to the virus you will have antibodies, so a positive test may not mean you are currently infected, just that at some stage you have been exposed. Hence a further RNA PCR quantitative test will be required if positive.

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.

About us Analysis Charitable Trust Charity Coming Soon Contact course development education HCV test Health Network Collective HealthNetworkCollective HooperNewton.com LMS Masters Micro-Credential Mobile Application MTF NZQA POCT point of care test R&D Research and Development Survey technology testing training Who we are

About us Analysis Charitable Trust Charity Coming Soon Contact course development education HCV test Health Network Collective HealthNetworkCollective HooperNewton.com LMS Masters Micro-Credential Mobile Application MTF NZQA POCT point of care test R&D Research and Development Survey technology testing training Who we are