How can you get hepatitis C?
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Hepatitis C is a blood-borne disease. The main source of infection is from blood from an infected person.
- Most cases of hepatitis C are caused by using contaminated needles to inject drugs ('sharing needles'). Even a tiny amount of blood left on a needle from an infected person is enough to cause spread to others. Using other used injecting items such as syringes, etc, is sometimes a cause of infection.
- Some people who received blood transfusions and blood products several years ago were infected with hepatitis C from some donor blood. In recent years, all blood donated in the UK is checked for the hepatitis C virus (and for certain other blood-borne infections). So, the risk of contracting hepatitis C from a blood transfusion is now very small.
- There is also a risk of contracting hepatitis C from needlestick accidents, or other injuries involving blood spillage from infected people.
- There is thought to be a small risk of contracting the virus from sharing toothbrushes, razors, and other such items which may be contaminated with blood. Also, from using equipment which is not sterile for tattooing, body piercing, etc.
- There is a small risk that an infected mother can pass on the infection to her baby.
- There is a small risk that an infected person can pass on the virus whilst having sex.
You cannot pass on the virus during normal social contact such as holding hands, hugging, sharing cups or crockery, etc.
How common is hepatitis C
The exact number of people infected is not known. Estimates vary from 1 in 1000 people in the UK being infected to as many as 1 in 100 people. Most cases are in people who inject illegal drugs. It is estimated that up to half of injecting drug users become infected with hepatitis C.
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