What are the Risks?
Hepatitis C is preventable but there is currently no vaccine. The virus is spread through blood-to-blood contact. This means blood containing Hepatitis C must leave the body of someone who is infected and get into the bloodstream of another person.
There is no risk of hepatitis C being passed on by everyday social contact such as holding hands, kissing, sharing toilets, crockery or eating utensils.
Hepatitis C can only be caught if blood carrying Hepatitis C gets into your blood stream. There are a number of activities which put people at risk of this happening which are outlined below.
Drug use
The most common risk in the UK is drug use through sharing needles, syringes and other drug works such as such as spoons, water and filters. Injecting and snorting both illegal drugs or steroids poses a risk if sharing is involved.
Anyone who has ever injected drugs (even once) may be infected since it is unusual for first timers to do it on their own - some sharing is usually involved. Sharing straws or notes when snorting cocaine is also thought to be a risk.
Blood transfusion overseas
Blood and blood products are now screened in the UK and most western european countries but not in all countries overseas. Medical or dental treatment can pose a risk in countries where hepatitis C is common if infection control or screening is poor or not provided. If you have had surgical treatment abroad, you should speak to your GP and think about getting a test for hepatitis C.
You should similarly speak to your doctor about having a test for Hepatitis C if you were given a blood transfusion before 1991 or blood products before 1987 in the UK when screening started.
Mother to child
This is quite rare, the risk of passing hepatitis C from mother to child during pregnancy and child birth is low (about 1 in 20), especially in the UK and other European countries where infection control procedures are in place.
Piercing or tattooing
Piercing or tattooing can pose a risk for Hepatitis C if any equipment is reused without being sterilised. Disposable sterile needles should be used, if not go to another practitioner. If you have had piercing or tattooing abroad in countries where Hepatitis C is common, consider speaking to someone about whether you have been put at risk and think about having a test.
Accidents and injuries
Being exposed to blood at work or in your home can pose a risk for Hepatitis C. For example, cleaning up blood, injuries and dealing with fights or other violent situations where blood is involved. These only pose a risk if you have an open cut or wound yourself at the time. If you have an open wound, their blood may get through your wound (skin) and into your blood stream putting you at risk.
If your cut has stopped bleeding (or has a scab on it) beforehand then you would not have been put at risk because their blood would not have been able to get through your skin.
Sharps injuries:
Staff, family and friends can be at risk of infection from hepatitis C in different environments through needle-stick injuries in their workplace or home. Sharps injuries should be handled swiftly and the person taken to the local accident and emergency department as soon as possible to seek proper medical advice and care. Their risk of infection from hepatitis C, HIV or hepatitis B from the injury can then be determined.
Risks at home
Sharing items such as razors, toothbrushes or any item that can cut or scratch the skin is thought to pose a low risk. There is currently little evidence on the risk posed by toiletries because of the difficulty in undertaking such a study but simple precautions mean the risk can be avoided.
Sexual risk
Sexual transmission during normal sex is thought to pose a low risk for Hepatitis C but defining what is 'normal' sex makes it difficult to give a blanket rule. Some sexual practices may increase the risk because they cause nicks, cuts or bleeding so further details are available from the left hand menu.