§ Tim LoughtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate his Department has made of the number of people infected with hepatitis C in the United Kingdom. [53275]
§ Yvette Cooper[holding answer 29 April 2002]: It is estimated that 0.4 per cent. of the general population in England (about 200,000 people) have chronic hepatitis C infection. Information on the prevalence of chronic hepatitis C infection in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland can be obtained from the respective devolved administrations.
§ Tim LoughtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the main common characteristics of those suffering from hepatitis C in the United Kingdom. [53277]
§ Yvette Cooper[holding answer 29 April 2002]: In the majority of cases, people who acquire hepatitis C infection do not have any immediate symptoms. Only a small proportion of patients develop an acute illness with jaundice soon after infection. Up to 80 per cent. of people infected with hepatitis C develop chronic infection. Many of those remain well or only develop symptoms after many years, with the onset of complications of chronic liver disease. Some of those with chronic infection report non-specific symptoms, such as tiredness and fatigue, muscle pains and aching joints, depression, and some complain of poor memory or concentration.