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MARIAN Donnelly has lived with hepatitis C since she was 18 years old, but was unaware she had the virus until she was diagnosed in 2012.

She said she went through four years of terrible treatment options until she finally began a life-changing course of new direct acting-antiviral medication.

“The only side-effects during treatment were occasional mild headaches,” Ms Donnelly said.

“After 24 weeks of treatment, the hep C was gone. The fatigue was gone.”

Hepatitis Australia’s Wendy Anderson said for most patients, side effects were minimal and a cure was possible within 12 weeks.

In March this year, Ms Donnelly had a FibroScan to assess the condition of her liver post-treatment; it showed no cirrhosis, just moderate fibrosis.

Ms Anderson said Ms Donnelly was one of many who lobbied extensively for the provision of these medications on the PBS. Now such treatments cost less than $40 per prescription.

Ms Donnelly said she was no longer at high risk of liver failure or liver cancer, and everyone had the chance to be free of hepatitis C.

Over 50s are being urged to speak to their doctor about being tested for hepatitis C and the new treatments available.