How can you get hepatitis C?

You can contract hepatitis C:

• By sharing equipment for injecting drugs, event if you only did this once or twice or a long time ago. Needles and syringes are the greatest risk, but other drug injecting equipment (such as spoons, filters or water) could also carry infection if they are contaminated with blood from someone who has the virus.

• Through a blood transfusion (before September 1991), or blood products like clotting factors (before 1986). All blood in the UK is now screened for hepatitis C

• During medical and dental treatment abroad in countries where hepatitis C is common and where equipment may not be sterilised properly

• Shaving with non-sterile equipment, especially abroad in countries where hepatitis C is common

• From a mother with hepatitis C to her baby

• Through unprotected sex (without a condom) with someone who has the virus

• By having a tattoo, ear or body piercing or acupuncture with equipment that is not sterile

• By sharing razors or toothbrushes which have been contaminated with blood from someone who has the virus

• Intra-nasal – ie snorting drugs through a straw

Most people who have the hepatitis C virus may be unaware as they may have no signs or symptoms at all or for many years. But even if you have no symptoms you can still pass the virus on to others.