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New film raises awareness of hepatitis C
Rock ‘n’ roll antics of the rich and famous are being used to encourage those who might be at risk of hepatitis C to get tested and treated. Hepatitis C is a virus that affects around 200,000 people in the UK , of whom about half could be unaware they have it.
Animated in the style of a graphic novel, the film details incidents from rock history involving stars including Keith Moon and Jimi Hendrix and reveals their unexpected results. The film uses these rock antics to grab attention and lead into describing the risks of contracting the hepatitis C infection.
The short Rock Antics online film is being used to encourage people to think about whether they might have ever been at risk of catching hepatitis C and if so to get tested and treated. Hepatitis C is often referred to as the ‘silent disease’ because it does not usually cause symptoms for many years but may lead to serious liver damage, making it essential that those who think they might be at risk to come forward for testing.
Singer and rock star Lisa Moorish provided the film’s voiceover to help raise awareness of the virus. She has seen family and friends affected by hepatitis C, and says: “Many people have lived rock ‘n’ roll style lifestyles in their youth and may have put themselves at risk. Take the online self assessment quiz to assess whether you should get tested and treated at www.nhs.uk/hepc.”
Hepatitis C is spread mainly through blood-to-blood contact. The most common transmission route is through sharing equipment for injecting drugs, but those who received a blood transfusion before September 1991 or blood products before 1986 in the UK may also be at risk of infection.
Other less common ways the virus is passed on include:
From infected mother to baby, before or during birth
Through unprotected sex with someone who has the virus
-by medical/dental treatment abroad, where unsterile equipment may have been used
-by tattooing, ear or body piercing, acupuncture, electrolysis and semi-permanent make-up where unsterile equipment may have been used
-by sharing razors or toothbrushes that may have been contaminated with blood from someone who is infected.
For further information on hepatitis C please go to www.nhs.uk/hepc or for confidential information and advice, call the Hepatitis C Information Line on 0800 181 4114 (textphone 0800 0850859). The Information line is open from 7am-11pm, 7 days a week.
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Knife murders minimum term raised
Murderers who kill with a knife will now face a minimum jail term of 25 years.
Justice Secretary Jack Straw moved to increase the sentence from 15 years after a campaign by the family of Ben Kinsella.
Ben, 16, was stabbed to death on a night out in north London.
Three men were given life sentences for the killing and told they can be released after 19 years.
The change means judges' starting point for sentences will increase to just less than the 30-year term for gun killings.
Mr Straw said: "I have seen the devastation that knife crime can cause.
"The loss of a loved one in any circumstances is heartbreaking, and even more so when they are the victim of a senseless and appalling murder.
"It is only right that those who carry knives with the intention of using them go to prison for a long time.
"I am determined to stamp out knife crime on our streets. The Government is very clear that serious crimes must have serious consequences."
Copyright © 2010 The Press Association. All rights reserved.
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