The most common means of contracting
hepatitis C is through infected blood and blood products. People can come in contact with infected blood by working in a laboratory or a dialysis unit, by using infected needles for tattoos or body piercings, or through sharing drug needles. In a very few cases, people have contracted hepatitis C by sharing objects that can have a tiny amount of blood on them, such as a toothbrush, razor, or tools used for manicures.
Before 1990, some people contracted hepatitis C through a blood transfusion. Now that donated blood is tested before it's used, contracting hepatitis C from blood transfusions is extremely rare. Another uncommon means of contracting hepatitis C is through sexual intercourse.
