Quick finger-stick test to find and treat hepatitis C in Australia

This trial is testing whether a quick, point-of-care finger-stick blood test for hepatitis C can help more people get diagnosed and treated. The test uses the Xpert HCV assay, which can tell if you have an active hepatitis C infection that needs treatment. The study will offer this simple test to people at high risk of hepatitis C as they visit clinics and health services across Australia.

Right now, most people with hepatitis C don't get diagnosed or treated because the current testing process requires multiple visits to a doctor. This medication works very well (over 95% cure rate), but it's only helpful if people know they have the infection. By making testing faster and easier with a finger-stick test available on-site, researchers hope to help more Australians get diagnosed and treated to eliminate hepatitis C.