My name is Chrissy and I am the Hepatitis C Educator at WASUA (Western Australian Substance Users Association). We provide information on hepatitis C, B and blood borne viruses.    My role is to educate not only the clients (IV drug users), but staff ( of any organization) and community members about hepatitis C as well as other blood borne viruses (BBV's) such as hepatitis B and HIV.  I also act as a support person for people with hepatitis C and other bbv's.  You may just need to talk about it to someone who is not going to make judgements about you if you may still be using drugs.

I try to be available to people who come into use the needle exchange most of the time that the exchange is open so if you have any queries about hepatitis C or other BBVs please ask the staff in the exchange to call me.  We can discuss transmission (or rather how to avoid spreading it), testing, treatment (and this is something that more people should be looking at), what happens when you have hepatitis C for a long time, symptoms, how to look after yourself, alternative therapies, who needs to be informed, legal aspects relative to hepatitis c, relationships and sex, or anything else that relates to it.

Please feel free to discuss all the pros and cons of treatment with me before you make a decision on it. I will provide information so you can make an informed decision.

Do you know whether you have hepatitis C or not?

Do you know whether you are still infectious or not, if you have it?

Do you know your genotype?

How does that relate to treatment?

These are some common things that need to be discussed.  Please call 9321 2877 or email hepc@wasua.com.au.

I am here most weekdays between 10am and 4pm.  Please take one of our discreet hepatitis C information folders.  If you complete and return the evaluation of the folder, you will be eligible for $5 worth of equipment from the exchange.  Please remember that the service is completely confidential and the testing at the clinic is not charged to you.

Chrissy Ryan

Hepatitis C Educator