Campaign warns thousands unknowingly infected with hepatitis C

Enough people to fill a town the size of Cowdenbeath have been unwittingly infected with potentially fatal hepatitis C, charities have warned.

Drug-users from the “baby boomer” and “generation X” years in the 70s, 80s and 90s are key targets for a new hepatitis C awareness campaign entitled the Big Red C.

An estimated 18,000 Scots are unaware they have contracted it, according to campaign organisers.

The campaign slogan is: “Ever injected? Get tested. Hep C it can be cured.”

People who have used unsterilised needles are among the campaign’s targets. These may include people injecting steroids or tanning products.