How Long is the Hepatitis C Virus Infectious Outside the Body?

At room temperature on a surface, with no exposure to substances or conditions that can kill it, the hepatitis C virus can remain infectious for between 16 hours and four days.

Factors

• The temperature of the environment the hepatitis C virus is in affects how long it can remain infectious. Scientists have found that samples of the virus stored at -80 degrees Celsius (-112 degrees Fahrenheit) showed more activity when tested than samples stored at -20 degrees Celsius (-4 degrees Fahrenheit).

Infection

• A person infected with the hepatitis C virus may not develop symptoms until between two weeks and six months after infection. Symptoms include fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dark urine, clay-colored bowel movements, joint pain and yellow color of the skin and eyes.

Transmission

• The hepatitis C virus is spread through contact with blood from an infected person. An individual can be exposed to it by making contact with any surface or item that might have blood on it. Examples of some personal items people should be careful with include nail clippers, toothbrushes, needles, razors and tweezers.

Disinfecting

• Surfaces and tools can be disinfected using alcohol, chlorine or bleach.

Sterilization

• Tools can be sterilized using a steam or dry-heat autoclave.