Cambridge Specialist Centre

Fill in the details below: Fill in the details below: Hepatitis B is a viral infection that causes inflammation of the liver. Hepatitis B virus is spread through contact with the blood or other body fluids of an infected person. The virus attacks liver cells causing either short-term (acute) or long-term (chronic) hepatitis. Acute hepatitis infecti... on can make a person feel unwell, but most people recover fully. A simple blood test can establish whether the person still has the hepatitis B virus in the blood or whether the person has been able to successfully get rid of the virus. Chronic hepatitis B is when the test is positive for the hepatitis B virus for more than 6 months. This means that the immune system was not able to get rid of the hepatitis B virus and it still remains in the blood and liver. Chronic hepatitis B infection can lead to scarring (cirrhosis) and cancer of the liver. Treatment is focused on preventing long-term liver damage. Hepatitis C is a viral infection that causes inflammation of the liver. Hepatitis C is the most common preventable cause of liver disease in New Zealand. The hepatitis C virus is carried in blood and can be passed to someone through blood-to-blood contact, such as sharing needles. In New Zealand we have access to a very effective medicine called Maviret. Most people with hepatitis C can be cured with a course of Maviret treatment. After 8 weeks of treatment more than 90% of people will be cured of the disease. Haemorrhoids, also known as piles, are swollen blood vessels that develop from the tissue that lines the anal canal or back passage. This area can then get irritated when you have a bowel movement. Internal haemorrhoids are above the anal canal, in the rectum, and you cant usually see or feel them as there are not many pain sensors in the rectum. The only sign that they are present may be bleeding from the bottom. Sometimes large haemorrhoids protrude or prolapse outside the anal spincter and these can hurt and bleed. They usually go back into the rectum on ...Read More