This FAQ and information contained herein is for general information purpose only and is not intended for or to be used for diagnosis, treatment or any clinical use. Health Network Collective recommends seeking professional advice in the event any further advice or definitive qualified opinion is required.
Here’s some of the more common, and less common, frequently asked questions and answers. The info is based on researched and qualified materials resources and sites with references where needed. If there are any questions or information you would like to see included please do let us know by emailing us by clicking here.
Simply click on the broad category title below and it expands to reveal the sub questions, articles and news.
HCV Treatment (2)
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.
Health Network Collective (1)
Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) infection is a prevalent global community concern in response to which, recently developed Direct Acting Antiviral Drugs (DAA’s) offer significant opportunity for not only cure of individuals, but elimination of HCV as a global public health threat.
In regard to this, one hundred and ninety-four countries have become signatories to the World Health Organisation (WHO) strategy for elimination of HCV by 2030. Nine countries are on track to this goal.
People who inject drugs (PWID) represent both the priority population most at risk of HCV infection and due to the illegal nature of injecting illicit drugs, a highly stigmatised and vulnerable population that is extremely hard to reach in terms of providing health care, including diagnosis and treatment of HCV.
A key resource to facilitate HCV treatment of PWID involves harnessing the peer workforce of those with lived and living experience of injecting. Peers, in this definition, have the advantage of being understood and accepted as frontline workers by PWID.
(in a nutshell – finding people who are infected is REALLY DIFFICULT!!?)
Kaiawhina or peer-led HCV antibody Point of Care Testing (POCT), as part of general population screening, is largely an uncoordinated and unregulated exercise, spearheaded by people (kaiawhina / peers) with lived and living experience of HCV risk factors, including injecting illicit drugs.
Additionally, while this community of informally qualified practitioners is involved in peer-led POCT testing, their skills, knowledge and expertise are unrecognised, this leads to a disconnect between their practice and its positive outcomes, e.g., identifying HCV exposed wai ora (those seeking wellness), and subsequent integration with formalised diagnosis, treatment and cure.
This disconnect refers to the lack of an effective “handover” from kaiawhina / peer testers to established systems impacting kaiawhina / peer relationship with wai ora through navigation of treatment, continuation of care and beyond.
To increase efficacy of “handover”, it is proposed to research and explore the following question:
How can we improve efficacy of an informally qualified community of testers and facilitate their structured inclusion in established systems through leveraging Emerging Disruptive Technology (EDT) and associated technologies?
This research intended impact is to contribute to development of solutions to facilitate;
- formalisation, recognition and transparency of skill or qualification
- allowing kaiawhina / peers to be supported in maintaining contact and relationships with wai ora, to navigate them through their treatment and continuation of care
- kaiawhina / peers being supportively engaged in enhancing predominately under resourced, under financed and over committed primary and secondary medical care systems
The successful implementation of the proposed improved handover would contribute to financial benefits, accessibility, and viability of widespread general population testing towards global 2030 elimination goals.
Link to survey here
Hepatitis C (HCV) Testing (5)
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.
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.
Hepatitis C Signs & Symptoms (2)
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.
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)
Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) (2)
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.
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)
PCR RNA Test (4)
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.
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.
Point of Care Test (POCT) (7)
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.
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)
Our Health Network Collective R&D partner, HooperNewton.com, are developing an online micro-credential for Point of Care Testing (POCT), linking to care and navigating treatment to possible cure and beyond. This is designed for our Kaiawhina, peers and non-regulated workforce.
Designed from thematic analysis (click link for live view of survey analysis) of Masters level research and survey (click survey link for survey) the 50 hour course of 6 sections and 42 lessons includes medical ethics, social responsibilities, personal safety, patient rights, basic hygiene, procedures and more. Our thematic analysis suggested that non-regulated work force, and many kaiawhina and peers, had limited awareness of such subjects in sufficient detail. In the interest of our communities, and the individuals and organisations Health Network Collective intends to engage with and enable: we decided a more comprehensive approach to training would benefit all and assist in meeting legal, ethical and moral requirements globally. Health Network Collective is in the process to gain New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) equivalency endorsement for this micro-credential.
About us Analysis Charitable Trust Charity Coming Soon Contact course development education HCV test Health Network Collective HealthNetworkCollective HooperNewton.com learning management system LMS Masters membership memberships Micro-Credential Mobile Application MTF NZQA POCT point of care test R&D Research and Development Survey technology testing training Who we are
Our mobile application, designed as an integral part of Health Network Collective systemised approach to enabling non-regulated workforce testing, linking to care and navigation for possible cure, is well underway. By enabling remote antibody Point of Care Testing (POCT) Health Network Collective can potentially reduce the number of persons requiring the more expensive and time consuming quantitative RNA PCR type tests. And, with heat mapping generated by use of the application, we can streamline efficiency and placement of mobile RNA PCR testing units and staff. Plus enabling cost effective initial population wide screening and promoting accessibility to health care.
Having our wai ora (persons seeking care) having access to their own information via their version of the application will enable continuity in navigating care with wai ora and kaiawhina (or peer) communications and information sharing via the application. And of course, the vital link to care.
About us Analysis Charitable Trust Charity Coming Soon Contact course development education HCV test Health Network Collective HealthNetworkCollective HooperNewton.com learning management system LMS Masters membership memberships 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.
Research and Development (3)
Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) infection is a prevalent global community concern in response to which, recently developed Direct Acting Antiviral Drugs (DAA’s) offer significant opportunity for not only cure of individuals, but elimination of HCV as a global public health threat.
In regard to this, one hundred and ninety-four countries have become signatories to the World Health Organisation (WHO) strategy for elimination of HCV by 2030. Nine countries are on track to this goal.
People who inject drugs (PWID) represent both the priority population most at risk of HCV infection and due to the illegal nature of injecting illicit drugs, a highly stigmatised and vulnerable population that is extremely hard to reach in terms of providing health care, including diagnosis and treatment of HCV.
A key resource to facilitate HCV treatment of PWID involves harnessing the peer workforce of those with lived and living experience of injecting. Peers, in this definition, have the advantage of being understood and accepted as frontline workers by PWID.
(in a nutshell – finding people who are infected is REALLY DIFFICULT!!?)
Kaiawhina or peer-led HCV antibody Point of Care Testing (POCT), as part of general population screening, is largely an uncoordinated and unregulated exercise, spearheaded by people (kaiawhina / peers) with lived and living experience of HCV risk factors, including injecting illicit drugs.
Additionally, while this community of informally qualified practitioners is involved in peer-led POCT testing, their skills, knowledge and expertise are unrecognised, this leads to a disconnect between their practice and its positive outcomes, e.g., identifying HCV exposed wai ora (those seeking wellness), and subsequent integration with formalised diagnosis, treatment and cure.
This disconnect refers to the lack of an effective “handover” from kaiawhina / peer testers to established systems impacting kaiawhina / peer relationship with wai ora through navigation of treatment, continuation of care and beyond.
To increase efficacy of “handover”, it is proposed to research and explore the following question:
How can we improve efficacy of an informally qualified community of testers and facilitate their structured inclusion in established systems through leveraging Emerging Disruptive Technology (EDT) and associated technologies?
This research intended impact is to contribute to development of solutions to facilitate;
- formalisation, recognition and transparency of skill or qualification
- allowing kaiawhina / peers to be supported in maintaining contact and relationships with wai ora, to navigate them through their treatment and continuation of care
- kaiawhina / peers being supportively engaged in enhancing predominately under resourced, under financed and over committed primary and secondary medical care systems
The successful implementation of the proposed improved handover would contribute to financial benefits, accessibility, and viability of widespread general population testing towards global 2030 elimination goals.
Link to survey here
Our Health Network Collective R&D partner, HooperNewton.com, are developing an online micro-credential for Point of Care Testing (POCT), linking to care and navigating treatment to possible cure and beyond. This is designed for our Kaiawhina, peers and non-regulated workforce.
Designed from thematic analysis (click link for live view of survey analysis) of Masters level research and survey (click survey link for survey) the 50 hour course of 6 sections and 42 lessons includes medical ethics, social responsibilities, personal safety, patient rights, basic hygiene, procedures and more. Our thematic analysis suggested that non-regulated work force, and many kaiawhina and peers, had limited awareness of such subjects in sufficient detail. In the interest of our communities, and the individuals and organisations Health Network Collective intends to engage with and enable: we decided a more comprehensive approach to training would benefit all and assist in meeting legal, ethical and moral requirements globally. Health Network Collective is in the process to gain New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) equivalency endorsement for this micro-credential.
About us Analysis Charitable Trust Charity Coming Soon Contact course development education HCV test Health Network Collective HealthNetworkCollective HooperNewton.com learning management system LMS Masters membership memberships Micro-Credential Mobile Application MTF NZQA POCT point of care test R&D Research and Development Survey technology testing training Who we are
Our mobile application, designed as an integral part of Health Network Collective systemised approach to enabling non-regulated workforce testing, linking to care and navigation for possible cure, is well underway. By enabling remote antibody Point of Care Testing (POCT) Health Network Collective can potentially reduce the number of persons requiring the more expensive and time consuming quantitative RNA PCR type tests. And, with heat mapping generated by use of the application, we can streamline efficiency and placement of mobile RNA PCR testing units and staff. Plus enabling cost effective initial population wide screening and promoting accessibility to health care.
Having our wai ora (persons seeking care) having access to their own information via their version of the application will enable continuity in navigating care with wai ora and kaiawhina (or peer) communications and information sharing via the application. And of course, the vital link to care.
About us Analysis Charitable Trust Charity Coming Soon Contact course development education HCV test Health Network Collective HealthNetworkCollective HooperNewton.com learning management system LMS Masters membership memberships Micro-Credential Mobile Application MTF NZQA POCT point of care test R&D Research and Development Survey technology testing training Who we are
Survey (1)
Our Health Network Collective R&D partner, HooperNewton.com, are developing an online micro-credential for Point of Care Testing (POCT), linking to care and navigating treatment to possible cure and beyond. This is designed for our Kaiawhina, peers and non-regulated workforce.
Designed from thematic analysis (click link for live view of survey analysis) of Masters level research and survey (click survey link for survey) the 50 hour course of 6 sections and 42 lessons includes medical ethics, social responsibilities, personal safety, patient rights, basic hygiene, procedures and more. Our thematic analysis suggested that non-regulated work force, and many kaiawhina and peers, had limited awareness of such subjects in sufficient detail. In the interest of our communities, and the individuals and organisations Health Network Collective intends to engage with and enable: we decided a more comprehensive approach to training would benefit all and assist in meeting legal, ethical and moral requirements globally. Health Network Collective is in the process to gain New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) equivalency endorsement for this micro-credential.
About us Analysis Charitable Trust Charity Coming Soon Contact course development education HCV test Health Network Collective HealthNetworkCollective HooperNewton.com learning management system LMS Masters membership memberships Micro-Credential Mobile Application MTF NZQA POCT point of care test R&D Research and Development Survey technology testing training Who we are
