And so does Sharon, a mum-of-three from west Leeds.

All of them tested positive for hepatitis C, the chronic blood-borne virus which together with hepatitis B affects 500 million people across the world.

Worryingly, most of them won't even know they have it – and hepatitis C can cause serious liver problems if left untreated.

It is estimated that more than 250,000 people in the UK have hepatitis C though the figure is difficult to clarify.

Sharon, who has asked to remain anonymous to protect her children, agrees that many more people have the illness that realise it.

When she was diagnosed though, she was just glad it wasn't something else.

"At the time I wasn't that bothered as I was so pleased I didn't have Aids," she said.

"Luckily I've got a 'good' kind that is more likely to be treatable."

As a former intravenous drug user and sex worker, she knew she was at high risk.

She got hooked on hard drugs at the age of 30 after she ended up in a bail hostel following an attack on a violent partner.

Injected

"I probably would've taken anything anyone offered me," she admits.

For three years she injected heroin and took crack cocaine, sometimes sharing needles.

She said even in the drug-using circle there was awareness of hepatitis.

"Even drug users would say 'he's hepped up to the max'," she said.

"But I never worried about it – I worried more about having Aids.

"I knew it was out there but I never really thought about it."

But 18 months ago Sharon decided to turn her life around and has managed to do so with the help of her local drug treatment centre.

Through her treatment, she underwent blood tests which led to the diagnosis of hepatitis C.

Now she is living with some of the symptoms, such as night sweats, and waiting to start treatment later this year.

The 35-year-old, who has three children, is getting her life back on track. Last weekend she even raised £160 for charity through a sponsored midnight walk.

"I just feel things are as good as they could be," she said.

"I keep to my appointments and I just feel like a normal mum."

She knew from her involvement with drugs she was at a higher risk of carrying hepatitis C.

"They reckon about 80 per cent of intravenous drug users have it and I would say that's about right," said Sharon.

Spread

But the virus can be spread many other ways too.

Anita Roddick revealed last year she had the illness, having contracted it through a blood transfusion in 1971 during the birth of her daughter Sam. Prior to her death last September from an unrelated brain haemorrhage, she campaigned on behalf of fellow sufferers.

Pamela Anderson acquired hepatitis C after sharing a tattoo needle with her rocker ex-husband Tommy Lee.

And 1960s star Marianne Faithfull announced last year she too had the virus though not how she contracted it.

However Ellie Gordon, nursing development lead for Leeds Primary Care Trust Drug Service said there was still a stigma around the condition.

"We know the vast majority of people affected are intravenous drug users but there are other ways it can be transmitted," she said.

These include blood transfusions given before 1991 or in some developing countries, piercing and tattoos with unsterilised equipment, sharing razors, toothbrushes and nail clippers, injecting steroids and also sex.

"We want people to understand the virus and how it affects people of all backgrounds, ages and nationalities," Ellie said.

"The good news is that for many people who have hepatitis C there is some excellent treatment and support available in Leeds and medical advances in recent years mean that a high proportion of people can be cured of the condition.

"But the worry more and more is if you don't know you have got hepatitis C, you cannot protect yourself or those around you.

"There is a simple test and once you know, you can do something and if it's appropriate can access treatment."

The illness often has no symptoms until it is advanced, which is why many sufferers are unaware. Intensive drug treatment can cure around half of cases but if left untreated, the illness can lead to cirrhosis of the liver or even liver cancer.

Treatment

Rob Kenyon, head of community drug treatment services for Leeds PCT, added: "The sooner people know about it, the sooner they can be considered for treatment and the better the results are likely to be."

Earlier this week the first International World Hepatitis Day was held, with organiser the World Hepatitis Alliance launching its '12 Asks for 2012' campaign which urges Governments to recognise the impact of hepatitis B and C and introduce measures to combat their spread.

In addition people were asked to ask themselves "Am I number 12?" in reference to the one in 12 believed to have the illness.

In Leeds there was a screening of the hard-hitting documentary Louie, Me and Hepatitis C as well as an open day with information about treatment and support available.

Charles Gore, president of the World Hepatitis Alliance and chief executive of the UK charity the Hepatitis C Trust, said: "These diseases are as widespread and as deadly as HIV/AIDS, TB and malaria, but there is nowhere near the level of awareness nor the political will to tackle them.

"This must change because this huge death toll is largely preventable."

For more information, log on to www.hepctrust.org.uk or www.britishlivertrust.org.uk.




Factfile


500 million people worldwide are currently infected with hepatitis B or C - more than 10 times the number infected with HIV/AIDS.

Between them, hepatitis B and C kill 1.5 million people a year.

One in every three people on the planet has been exposed to either or both viruses.

hepatitis C can be symptomless – but liver damage occurs slowly over 20 or 30 years and can lead to liver scarring, cirrhosis and ultimately to liver cancer or liver failure and death.

There are estimated to be between 231,000 to 466,000 people infected with hepatitis C in England with a further 50,000 in Scotland and 12,000 in Wales.

Yearly deaths from hepatitis C have trebled in the last 10 years in England

There is no vaccine for hepatitis C but treatment is available which can cure the disease in around half of patients. There is a vaccine for hepatitis B.