Everything you might want to know about COVID and hep C.

We’ve been asked a lot of questions about how COVID might affect people with hepatitis C (hep C). See below for our answers.
Last updated: October 2022

COVID 19Hep C and COVID

Hep C treatment and COVID

Liver health and COVID

COVID virus and illness

This page will be regularly updated as new information arises.

 

Hep C and COVID

 

I have hep C, am I at higher risk of catching COVID?

No. Having hep C does NOT mean you are more likely to catch COVID.

 

I have hep C, am I at higher risk of severe illness from COVID?

No. Having hep C does NOT make you get sicker from COVID.

 

I have hep C, do I need extra protection against COVID?

No. You can protect yourself against COVID in the same ways as everyone else. We all need be careful to stop the spread of COVID, for our own health and for the health of our communities.

You should take extra care against COVID if you:
– have some other serious health conditions (see list below >>>CLICK HERE);
– are over 70;
– are over 50 and Aboriginal;
– have a weakened immune system.

 

I am cured of hep C, am I still at risk with COVID?

No. Being cured of hep C does NOT mean you are more likely to catch COVID. Being cured of hep C does NOT mean you will get sicker from COVID.

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Hep C treatment and COVID

 

I’ve been talking to the nurse about hep C treatment, should I wait until this is over to start?

The best time to start hep C treatment is up to you. If you are worried about hep C treatment and COVID, talk to your nurse. Starting treatment now means you can be cured and live free of hep C. It can also lower any risk of serious liver damage.

If you’d like to start treatment and don’t know how – please talk more to the nurse about it.

 

Should I keep taking my hep C treatment during this time?

Yes. Definitely keep taking your hep C treatment. Only stop taking your treatment if told to by the nurse.

If you stop taking your treatment, the hep C virus will most likely come back and you won’t be cured.

 

I’m on hep C treatment, will this make me more at risk with COVID?

No.  Taking hep C treatment WON’T make you more likely to catch COVID.

Hep C medications only work on the hep C virus; they do not have any effect on your immune system.

 

Does my hep C treatment give me protection against COVID?

No. Hep C treatment does NOT protect you against COVID.

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Liver health and COVID

 

I have liver disease or cirrhosis of the liver, will this make me more at risk with COVID?

No. Having liver disease or cirrhosis of the liver does NOT mean you are more likely to catch COVID.

BUT having cirrhosis or liver disease can make you more likely to get very sick with COVID. For this reason, it’s best to be extra careful not to get COVID.

Everyone with cirrhosis should see the clinic nurse, at the least, every 6 months.

 

I had a liver transplant. Should I be worried about COVID?

If you have had a liver transplant you are more at risk for extra health issues. These extra health issues can make you more likely to get very sick from COVID. For this reason, it is important to stay up to date with all COVID vaccinations and boosters as recommended by the Department of Health.

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COVID and illness

 

Is the COVID virus like the hep C virus?

NO. We know that COVID is very different to the hep C virus. COVID affects breathing (the respiratory system); hep C affects and infects the liver.

 

I have a runny nose, sore throat, fever, or headache. Do I have COVID?

If you are worried that you might have COVID, speak to the nurse. They will let you know if you need to get tested.

 

What health conditions make you most at risk of severe illness with COVID?

Health conditions that might make you sicker from COVID are:

  • coronary heart disease,
  • hypertension (high blood pressure),
  • diabetes,
  • obesity,
  • cancer, and
  • chronic respiratory diseases such as asthma, bronchitis and emphysema.

Older people (especially over the age of 70) are at higher risk of severe illness and death from COVID.

Aboriginal people, particularly those over the age of 50, could also be at higher risk of severe sickness from COVID.

Not having any other health conditions, or being a young person, does not mean that severe COVID illness is not possible.

 

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TAP TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT CIRRHOSIS

HOW TO CALL the HEPATITIS INFOLINE

TAP TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT CIRRHOSIS

HOW TO CALL the HEPATITIS INFOLINE

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This page last updated October 2022

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