Hepatitis C Transmission: How Is the Virus Spread?
Hepatitis C transmission occurs mostly through infected blood and blood products. Before 1990, there was no way to test for the virus when people donated blood. So some people were infected when they had a blood transfusion. But because we can now test donated blood before it's used, it is extremely rare for people to get hepatitis C from blood transfusions.
Today, hepatitis C transmission occurs most frequently through infected blood, whether it is from working in a laboratory or a dialysis unit, by infected needles used for tattoos or body piercing, or through sharing drug needles. In a very few cases, people have been infected with hepatitis C by sharing objects that may have a very tiny amount of blood on them, such as a toothbrush, razor, or tools used for manicures.
Hepatitis C can also be spread by sexual intercourse, but this is rare. For steady sexual partners, there are not any recommendations about changing your sexual practices just because you or your partner has hepatitis C. But having more than one sex partner does increase your chance of getting the virus.
Can Hepatitis C Transmission Occur Through Normal Activities?
Hepatitis C is not spread through normal, everyday activities.
You won't get infected from things like:
- Sitting next to a person with the virus
- Shaking hands
- Hugging
- Kissing
- Sharing eating utensils.
Though we know most methods of hepatitis C transmission, some people are never able to figure out exactly how they got the infection.
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