Have You Been Exposed?

injecting drug use and other shared drug paraphernalia

The hepatitis C virus is very easily transmitted by contact with infected blood.

Exposure to others' blood through shared needles or drug paraphernalia (even many years ago and even if it was only once) may be the source of hepatitis C infection.
blood transfusion, blood products (plasma, immune globulin, platelets, etc.) or organ transplant from infected donor, especially prior to 1992

The hepatitis C virus was first isolated in 1989, and a test to detect exposure to HCV has only been available since 1992.

Anyone who received a blood transfusion or other blood products prior to 1992 may have unknowingly been exposed to HCV and should be tested.

exposure to infected blood through occupation, manicures, pedicures, piercings, tattoos, sports, sharing personal care items (razors, toothbrushes, etc.)
unsterile medical injections or poorly sterilized medical equipment

Although most medical facilities go to great lengths to be sure all equipment is sterilized, there have been reported cases of hepatitis C traced back to the use of reused or incompletely sterilized medical equipment.

birth to an HCV-infected mother

The risk of transmission from a mother with hepatitis C to her baby is approximately 5-10%. The risk is higher if the mother is also infected with HIV.

The risk of transmission from mother to baby is not affected by the delivery method.

sex with infected partner

This is an uncommon route of transmitting the hepatitis C virus, especially among long-term monogamous couples.

The risk of sexual transmission is increased among people with multiple sexual partners, and when sexual practices result in blood-to-blood exposure.