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Coronavirus COVID-19 factsheet for people with hepatitis B and hepatitis C

HomeThe Hep-VineCoronavirus COVID-19 factsheet for people with hepatitis B and hepatitis C

COVID 19On 12 March 2020, the World Health Organisation declared the coronavirus COVID-19 a pandemic. For people with hepatitis B and hepatitis C, this is what you need to know about COVID-19 and how you may be affected.

Note: This page provides a brief summary of issues . For full overviews:

To read this page in Chinese | 点击阅读 乙肝/丙肝人群的新冠肺炎事实清单中文版>>

To read this page in Korean | B형, C형 간염환자를 위한 코로나 바이러스 (Covid-19) 정보지>>

 

What is COVID-19?

Coronaviruses are a family of viruses that can make humans and animals sick. COVID-19 is caused by a new strain of coronavirus that was first reported in December 2019.

How does Coronavirus spread?

The virus can be spread from person-to-person through:

  • close contact with someone who has the virus
  • contact with droplets from an infected person’s cough or sneeze
  • touching objects or surfaces that have cough or sneeze droplets from an infected person, then touching your face.

You can download posters about COVID-19, developed for Aboriginal communities, like this one about Good Health and Hygiene and more posters here.

Coronavirus in Australia

To date, COVID-19 has remained relatively contained in Australia, with the majority of cases being a result of overseas travel. However, the large amount of media attention given to the virus can make it hard to separate fact from fiction.

Will COVID-19 mean any change to my treatment and care for hepatitis B or hepatitis C?

People living with hepatitis B or C who are currently taking treatment should not change or stop their treatment unless advised to do so by their treating doctor. People should be aware that recent changes restricting prescriptions to a one-month supply of medications means ensuring you plan and avoid missing doses. There is nothing to suggest that the availability of medications used for hepatitis B or C will be reduced due to COVID-19.

Monitoring your health will continue to be important and access to doctors may vary. Some clinics are establishing telephone consultations but making appointments in advance will be important. You should check with your healthcare provider to see what arrangements they are putting in place. If you have an appointment with your doctor it is good to consider asking your doctor for a liver health check if you have not had one in the last six months.

Hepatitis C and hepatitis B… and COVID-19

Information suggests some people who have been living with hepatitis B and hepatitis C for some time, and who have developed advanced liver diseases (including cirrhosis) could be at greater risk of serious health complications if they become infected with COVID-19. This includes people who have ongoing health conditions as a result of a previous hepatitis C infection which has been cured. We’ll update this advisory as more information becomes available.

The factsheet, available below, contains information on COVID-19 for people affected by viral hepatitis, including information about how to reduce the likelihood of infection. The key message is to be vigilant and use basic measures to protect yourself against COVID-19. Consult a healthcare provider if in doubt about your risk, especially if you have been around someone who has travelled overseas recently.

Some people living with existing chronic conditions could be at greater risk of serious health complications if they become infected with COVID-19. To help people living with hepatitis B and hepatitis C, or chronic conditions caused by a previous hepatitis C infection, Hepatitis Australia has put together a factsheet.

Regarding clinical attendance via video-consultations in Australia

It might be possible for you to attend GPs and specialist clinics – such as Liver Clinics and Gastro Clinics – via video – please check with your GP or specialist.
For gastrointestinal and liver patients this applies to people considered more susceptible to the COVID-19 virus:

  • at least 70 years old; or
  • at least 50 years old and is of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent; or
  • is pregnant; or
  • is a parent of a child under 12 months; or
  • is already under treatment for chronic health conditions or is immune compromised.

Note: This page provides a brief summary of issues . For full overviews:

Comments(25)

  1. REPLY
    Jack says
    March 19, 2020 at 6:16 am

    If I am on treatment – Ribavirin and epclusa am I at more risk for Covid 19 as surely this medication is messing with my immune system? I have a fever every day and banging headaches along with insomnia – but these could be side effects from the meds. Please let me know if i should just stop taking the course for now and picking it back up when this pandemic ends.

    • REPLY
      Grace Crowley says
      March 19, 2020 at 8:30 am

      Hi Jack, thanks for asking. Definitely don’t stop your treatment without consulting with your doctor. While most people experience very few or minimal side-effects, it is not uncommon for others. The headaches and insomnia you describe might be due to to the meds, but might also not be. At any rate, clearing your hep C is ultimately much much better for your immune system and will give it a solid leg up should it need to deal with COVID-19 at any stage, now or later. If you need more info and are in NSW, please call our free infoline 1800 803 990 or if you are elsewhere in Australia 1800 437 222 (1800 HEP ABC). Kind regards

  2. REPLY
    Anuradhaavinash Kaur says
    July 5, 2020 at 1:15 pm

    My husband has been having fevers, diarrhea, burning feet and weakness. He went to the doctors and all they did was get him a covid test, we havent gotten the results back yet. We assume the symptoms are due to this liver issues which he’s had for a while. Hes been in bed for a few days, I’ve given him medicine for his fever and pain but it doesnt seem to help too much, the fever always comes back. Its been a few days like this, we dont whether we should go to the ER or not.

    • REPLY
      Grace Crowley says
      July 6, 2020 at 8:39 am

      Sorry to hear he is so unwell. He should go to the ER.

      • REPLY
        Julie says
        November 26, 2020 at 1:26 am

        Hi! My friend’s mother has Hepatitis B and she is 36 years old. She isn’t taking any medications as such. With the spread of Covid-19, should my friend show his mother to a doctor for any medications to prevent being Corona positive?

        • REPLY
          Paul says
          January 7, 2021 at 1:58 pm

          Hi Julie. Anyone who has hep B should be seeing their doctor on a 6-monthly basis. Tests will be done to check on liver health and the status of the hep B virus. For more info, check out The Hepatitis B Story which is downloadable in our Free Resources and Information section of the site. Regards COVID, there are no particular issues having hep B; for more info, check out our COVID and HEPATITIS info: https://www.hep.org.au/hep-b/covid-19-and-hep-b-faq/

  3. REPLY
    carlos Ramirez says
    July 31, 2020 at 9:33 am

    Hello I’m 37 n been living with Hep C for almost ten years I take probiotics n vitamins and also exercise in rarely healthy but I haven’t had any treatment n have been told my levels are just above normal Mean it a bit high does that make me more susceptible or any weaker to this so called virus…. Plz give me some kind of answer…

    • REPLY
      Grace Crowley says
      July 31, 2020 at 10:18 am

      Hello Carlos, having hep C does not make you any more or less susceptible to catching, or serious illness, from COVID-19. However, after 10 years you might want to check the health of your liver to ensure you are not developing fibrosis or cirrhosis. Having cirrhosis could be a complicating factor in the event that you do catch COVID-19 (regardless, let’s hope you do not catch it). There are effective new cures available for hep C, although they might not be affordable or accessible in the US it would still be worth investigating the possibility of treatment. In the meantime, social distance where possible, be careful of what you touch and wash your hands regularly.

      • REPLY
        Cindy says
        December 22, 2020 at 11:04 pm

        I am on help c treatment eclusa and I have both hep c and b is it safe for me to get the new Corona virus vaccine?

        • REPLY
          Paul says
          January 7, 2021 at 2:01 pm

          Hi Cindy. Anyone who has hep B should be seeing their doctor on a 6-monthly basis. Tests will be done to check on liver health and the status of the hep B virus. For more info, check out The Hepatitis B Story which is downloadable in our Free Resources and Information section of the site. Yes, there are really good hep C cures available and congrats on your interest in clearing it. Regards COVID, there are no particular issues having hep B or C; for more info, check out our COVID and HEPATITIS info: https://www.hep.org.au/hep-b/covid-19-and-hep-b-faq/ and https://www.hep.org.au/hep-c/covid-19-and-hepatitis-c-faq/

    • REPLY
      Precious says
      December 3, 2020 at 11:17 pm

      I have someone who is hepatitis b and went for coronavirus test and it came out positive for one month now it keeps showing positive without know symtop . or is it because the person is an hepatitis b patient that is why the coronavirus test shows positive?

      • REPLY
        Grace Crowley says
        December 4, 2020 at 4:38 pm

        Hi Precious, no, their hep B status would have no bearing on why their COVID-19 tests remain positive. On the other hand, their immune system might not able to fight the coronavirus off effectively. That is something they should definitely be talking with their doctor about.

  4. REPLY
    Luanne says
    March 12, 2021 at 5:56 pm

    I have Hep C. I’m having a flare up according to my PCP and can’t get in to see a gastroenterologist until April 19th. I asked him about getting the vaccine prior to starting Hep C treatment and he said to ask the gastroenterologist he’s sending me to but I can’t get an answer from him until my April 19th appt. I have not started Harvoni or any other Hep C drugs yet. I’ve got an appt scheduled for March 24th for my first covid vaccination. I feel like I’m getting the run around… all I want to know is if it’s safe for me to be vaccinated now or if I should wait the potential months it may take to cure my Hep C. I want to know if my potential vaccine side effects be worse and no one can give me an answer.

    • REPLY
      Grace Crowley says
      March 15, 2021 at 11:27 am

      Hello Luanne, all information we have seen to date indicates that you can have the vaccine and start hep C DAA treatment.

  5. REPLY
    Salifu Faisal says
    March 16, 2021 at 8:59 pm

    my name is faisal . please can i test positive for Covid-19 if i have hepatitis B. ?

    • REPLY
      Grace Crowley says
      March 17, 2021 at 10:10 am

      Hello Faisal – yes, it is possible for you to catch and test positive for COVID-19 if you have hepatitis B. If you have flu like symptoms and are concerned you may have COVID please get tested ASAP and follow medical advice resulting from that result. Having hep B will not make it less or more likely to catch COVID. Unless you have advanced liver disease, having hep B will not have an impact on how significantly you do, or do not, experience symptoms of COVID-19.

  6. REPLY
    James says
    May 11, 2021 at 8:52 am

    I have acute Hep B but, by way of my six monthly tests, my results are good – average: Question is there any enhanced risk to having the Covid -19 vaccination?

    • REPLY
      Paul says
      May 31, 2021 at 2:45 pm

      Hi James. We contacted several Australian hepatologists (liver specialists) and they said there are no problems.
      If you have hep B, there is no reason to be concerned about the COVID vaccines. There is no evidence to suggest that the COVID vaccines have any negative impact on a person who has hep B.
      If anyone is on hep B treatment, there is no evidence to suggest that the COVID-19 vaccines have any impact on your hep B treatment. Just like with all other vaccines, the COVID vaccines are safe for people on hep B treatment.
      Regards
      Paul (Hepatitis NSW)

  7. REPLY
    bernardo valmonte says
    May 17, 2021 at 7:20 pm

    Hi i have hepa B for some time now and has not started medications. Is it safe for me to have covid 19 vaccine? Thanks

    • REPLY
      Paul says
      May 31, 2021 at 2:45 pm

      Hi Bernardo. We contacted several Australian hepatologists (liver specialists) and they said there are no problems.
      If you have hep B, there is no reason to be concerned about the COVID vaccines. There is no evidence to suggest that the COVID vaccines have any negative impact on a person who has hep B.
      If anyone is on hep B treatment, there is no evidence to suggest that the COVID-19 vaccines have any impact on your hep B treatment. Just like with all other vaccines, the COVID vaccines are safe for people on hep B treatment.
      Regards
      Paul (Hepatitis NSW)

  8. REPLY
    Anne says
    June 23, 2021 at 1:18 am

    Will a person test positive for Covid-19 after receiving HepB vaccine(or any other vaccines)? If so, how long the person should wait to have a covid-19 test for other purposes? Also, how long the person should wait in order to receiving Covid-19 vaccine? Thanks!

    • REPLY
      Grace Crowley says
      June 23, 2021 at 10:59 am

      Hi Anne, thanks for your question. The hep B vaccine has no similarities with COVID-19, so if you’ve recently had a hep B jab that is no barrier to having a COVID-19 test if you are concerned about flu like symptoms. You should probably wait 14 days between a hep B jab and a COVID-19 jab. When you book either vaccine please double check with your doctor or nurse.

  9. REPLY
    CArolyn Holmes says
    September 12, 2021 at 12:03 pm

    I had 48 weeks of treatment for HepB & C, interferon and ribivirin. I had probably got it from a tattoo I had done 40 yrs ago. It has been 10 years since I was treated and it worked other than I have some liver damage and still have fatigue. Am I at any risk if I get COVID shot? I am now 66 yrs old. CArolyn

  10. REPLY
    Maria says
    December 14, 2021 at 9:59 am

    I have a natural immunity to hep B, watch my diet because I have psoriasis on my skin and head and never had flu vaccine. Have alpha thalasymia minor and I am 62 years. I am conscious of my liver, even though blood results are good. I feel I have to monitor my liver continuously and I feel COVID-19 vaccine would not be good for my liver. At the moment my skin itch and I feel fatigue at times & feel my liver is sensitive. I wear masks every where I go and take the necessary steps to stay clean and healthy. I feel I am at risk of the COVID Jab. what is your advice.

  11. REPLY
    David says
    December 20, 2021 at 8:11 am

    I’m 52 tests come back with hep b and hep C am I eligible for exemption for COVID needle

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