Causes and Risk Factors of Hepatitis C

Inflammation of the liver caused by the Hepatitis C virus, or HCV, is one of the most serious forms of hepatitis.
  1. The Facts

    • Hepatitis C can't be spread by casual contact. It is spread when blood from an infected person comes in contact with the blood of a person who is not infected. According to the Centers for Disease Control, sexual transmission is possible, but unlikely.

    Intravenous Drug Use

    • Sharing contaminated needles and other drug paraphernalia is the most common means of transmitting Hepatitis C.

    Blood Transfusions

    • All donated blood in the United States has been tested for the Hepatitis C virus since 1992. It isn't likely that you can become infected from a blood transfusion received later than that.

    Other Causes

    • HCV is rarely passed from a mother to an unborn child. Having tattoos or body piercing done with needles that are not sterile can lead to infection.

    Risk Factors

    • Your risk of contracting HCV increases if you are a health care worker who has been exposed to infected blood, if you inject illegal drugs and if you have received a tattoo in a nonsterile environment.

    Prevention

    • If you handle blood on the job, use safety precautions. Avoid sharing needles or having sexual intercourse with multiple partners, and don't share razors, toothbrushes or nail clippers.

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