Key points from article :
The NHS has introduced at-home hepatitis C testing kits to help uncover hidden cases of this dangerous virus. Hepatitis C spreads through blood-to-blood contact and often remains undetected for years, causing serious liver damage. Since the launch of the free testing service in May 2023, more than 100,000 people have ordered kits, with a surge after the Infected Blood Inquiry report in 2024.
So far, 225 people have been diagnosed through this system, many from disadvantaged communities where risk factors like drug use and prison history are more common. A small number of people tested positive due to contaminated blood transfusions received before 1996, a scandal that infected more than 30,000 people with HIV and hepatitis C in the UK.
The test is simple and confidential, allowing people to check from home without visiting a clinic. Those who test positive are quickly directed to antiviral tablets that can clear the infection in weeks, or to further tests to check for liver damage.
The programme was launched by NHS England and supported by public health leaders who want to eliminate hepatitis C. Experts stress that making tests widely available helps reduce inequalities in healthcare.
The service aims to catch hidden cases before they cause severe illness. Campaigners from The Hepatitis C Trust highlighted how home testing offers a lifeline to people hesitant to seek healthcare.
