BECAUSE most people first heard about hepatitis C through the tragedy of the mothers, infected through anti D injections, there is a popular belief that hepatitis C remains relatively rare and that these women are the main people affected.
In fact, hepatitis C infection is cutting a swathe through the young, sexually active and drug abusing population and the social and cost implications are very serious.
Most injecting drug users are infected with hepatitis C and have been for several years according to a study published in the Irish Journal of Medical Science. The National Drug Treatment Centre regularly tested 272 intravenous drug users from August 1992 to August 1993, and found that 84 per cent had antibodies to hepatitis C. A significantly greater proportion of females tested positive (94 per cent) than males (80 per cent). For patients who had been abusing drugs intravenously for more than two years, the rate was 95 per cent.
Drug users in the 15-19 age group are increasing at an incredible rate, according to research at the National Drug Treatment Centre in Dublin, which was reported by Dr John O'Connor at a conference at Dublin Castle on Friday. Figures for 1995 show that 273 of the centre's 851 new patients are in this age group. Two were aged 12.
Hepatitis C is very expensive to treat, involving thrice weekly Interferon injections, costing £20 each, and eventually liver transplantation.
Dr Johns O'Connor is among those who fear that in the next 10 to 15 years, the young, drug using population - already exposed to AIDS through intravenous drug use and sexual activity - will become an even greater burden on the health service. Now that donated blood can be screened for hepatitis C antibodies, the incidence of post transfusion infection will decrease and haemophiliacs will also be at reduced risk. The incidence among injecting drug users, however, will remain high.
The Health Research Board has targeted hepatitis C in its grants programme for 1997 and beyond a package of research proposals costing a million pounds over the next five years. Among the recipients, are Dr John Hegarty, a liver specialist at St James's Hospital, Dublin, who deals with many of the anti D victims, and Dr Dermot Kelleher of the Hepatology Centre, St James's Hospital. They will be looking at virus variants and host immune. responses in the resolution and progression of chronic liver disease following hepatitis C virus infection. They are hoping to develop a vaccine or a new immunotherapeutic strategy to control hepatitis C infection.