Some 70,000 in England are thought to have the situation, unfold through blood-to-blood contact. It might be present in beauty, dental or well being operations if gear isn't sterilised correctly and the place an infection management is poor.

Those with it could possibly dwell with out signs for many years. But if untreated it could possibly trigger life-threatening circumstances comparable to liver failure.

Around one in 30 folks with the virus is believed to have come into contact with contaminated blood outdoors of a healthcare setting. Of 2,000 adults quizzed, 1 / 4 mentioned that they had an impromptu ­tattoo abroad.

Yet three quarters had been unaware hepatitis C might be contracted whereas having an inking or piercing. Rachel Halford, chief government of the Hepatitis C Trust, mentioned it may be a “time bomb” within the physique, including: “We would encourage anyone that has had a tattoo abroad, from someone that doesn’t hold a licence or in prison, to order a hepatitis C test from the NHS.

“The test is free, confidential and you will have your results back within a few days. If the result is negative, it will give you peace of mind. If the result is positive, ­hepatitis C can be easily treated.”

The NHS launched an at-home testing service in May. Users drop a blood pattern from a finger prick right into a tube, then submit it for evaluation.Details at hepctest.nhs.uk

Mo Goolamallee discovered he had hepatitis C three many years after medical care in Sri Lanka.

He in all probability picked it up at 20 throughout therapy following a vacation bike accident.

Father-of-one Mo mentioned: “When you go on holiday you want to have fun. My accident was just one of those things.

“I hadn’t thought about it for years and never had any symptoms. I’ve always been active. In January this year I had an accident at the gym and had to go to the hospital...it turned out I had hepatitis C. I was shocked.”

Mo, 55, of London, added: “We need to make more people aware of the virus and get more people to test.”