Thousands of people at increased risk of hepatitis C can now confidentially order self-testing kits to their home as it’s possible to go for many years without symptoms. 

The discreet at-home testing kits are free to order online as part of NHS England’s dedicated Hepatitis C Elimination Programme.

You can order a free test kit to do at home via the NHS website.

As the NHS marks its 75th year, it is leading the world in the eradication of hepatitis C, with this new tool placing England in pole position to be among the first countries in the world to eliminate the virus as a public health concern – ahead of the 2030 World Health Organisation commitment.

The test involves a finger prick with a tiny blood sample dropped into a test tube, which is posted to a lab for analysis. Those who receive a positive test result will then be contacted and referred for treatment.

The new self-testing kits aim to reach people who might not be engaged with other services such as drug and alcohol support, and prison and probation services. They're also targeting people who have potentially been exposed to virus in the past, or who feel unable to approach their GP.

Richard Angell, Chief Executive of Terrence Higgins Trust, said: ‘It’s brilliant news that testing for hepatitis C is now easier than ever as part of plans to eliminate the virus as a public health concern. It’s possible to go for many years without experiencing any symptoms, but you can be doing significant damage to your liver.

‘If you think you might have been exposed to hepatitis C, ordering a free at-home test is a great idea. Most people’s tests will come back negative but it’s always better to know and hepatitis C can be treated via a short course of medication.’

Risk factors for hepatitis C include previous or current injecting drug use, being in the criminal justice system and being born, or have lived, in a country where the bloodborne disease is endemic. 

This includes countries in South Asia such as Pakistan, India and Bangladesh and where people can come into contact with infected blood through medical procedures, blood transfusions and blood products, or equipment used in cosmetic services. For this reason the web portal is available in both Urdu and English.

Testing is crucial, because people with hepatitis C can live symptomless lives for many years, and the virus can lead to liver disease and cancer. 

Shabana Begum, 56, from Yorkshire, found out she had Hepatitis C in 2004 after a period of presenting to her GP with symptoms that were difficult to diagnose.

Shabana said: ‘Every hair on my body hurt, I had insomnia, flu-like symptoms and I was seeing my GP every three or four days. Eventually, after all the other test results came back negative, I was diagnosed with hepatitis C.’

After being told she had been living with the virus for between 15 to 20 years, Shabana was able to link it to injections she had received when she moved to Pakistan as a teenager.

She added: ‘Hepatitis C is highly prevalent in South Asia, but whichever country you may come from, so it’s extremely important to get tested and then treated as well. The new treatment is so easy today, with far fewer side effects.

‘I think the new testing portal is a brilliant idea because for people who feel they don’t have time to see their GP or go to community events, they can log in online and just order a test. It’s much more accessible and hopefully more people will get tested that way.’