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Ways to prevent Hepatitis C
There are numerous ways to catch Hepatitis C. What are some ways to avoid this disease?
Since it's basically transmitted by blood-to-blood, avoid being exposed to other people's blood. I.E. tattoos only with a very well known and reputable artist-one that definitely uses proper sterilization techiques. Personally, I would avoid tatoos altogether, but I know some people feel that this is something that they have to get done. Another way is piercings, same as above. Make sure that when you go to a dentist that they are using the proper precautions (most of them do in the U.S.). I personally avoid going to a manicurist/pedicurist and just do my own, because sometimes they don't sterilize their equipment well. Avoid unsafe sexual practices. While Hep C is very rarely transmitted this way, if one was to be having numerous sexual partners and not practicing safe sex (just as in other blood borne illness), there is a slight risk. For example, if a woman is on her menstrual cycle and her partner was to be exposed to her blood-if she was Hep C positive, she could potentially infect her partner-like for example if he/she had any open areas on their skin. Avoid sharing needles, straws, spoons used in IV illicit drug use. Avoid sharing razors and toothbrushes and eyebrow tweezers of a known Hep C infected person. If you are a medical professional, try to use precautions at your job to protect against stray needle sticks.
DWays to avoid ? Don't share neddles or get a transfusion with HCV blood this is the way it's spread 97% of the time. That's my guess.
From the CDC http://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/C/cFAQ.htm#transmission
Transmission / Exposure
How is Hepatitis C spread?
Hepatitis C is spread when blood from a person infected with the Hepatitis C virus enters the body of someone who is not infected. Today, most people become infected with the Hepatitis C virus by sharing needles or other equipment to inject drugs. Before 1992, when widespread screening of the blood supply began in the United States, Hepatitis C was also commonly spread through blood transfusions and organ transplants.
People can become infected with the Hepatitis C virus during such activities as
* Sharing needles, syringes, or other equipment to inject drugs
* Needlestick injuries in health care settings
* Being born to a mother who has Hepatitis C
Less commonly, a person can also get Hepatitis C virus infection through
* Sharing personal care items that may have come in contact with another person’s blood, such as razors or toothbrushes
* Having sexual contact with a person infected with the Hepatitis C virus
Can Hepatitis C be spread through sexual contact?
Yes, but the risk of transmission from sexual contact is believed to be low. The risk increases for those who have multiple sex partners, have a sexually transmitted disease, engage in rough sex, or are infected with HIV. More research is needed to better understand how and when Hepatitis C can be spread through sexual contact.
Can you get Hepatitis C by getting a tattoo or piercing?
A few major research studies have not shown Hepatitis C to be spread through licensed, commercial tattooing facilities. However, transmission of Hepatitis C (and other infectious diseases) is possible when poor infection-control practices are used during tattooing or piercing. Body art is becoming increasingly popular in the United States, and unregulated tattooing and piercing are known to occur in prisons and other informal or unregulated settings. Further research is needed to determine if these types of settings and exposures are responsible for Hepatitis C virus transmission.
Can Hepatitis C be spread within a household?
Yes, but this does not occur very often. If Hepatitis C virus is spread within a household, it is most likely a result of direct, through-the-skin exposure to the blood of an infected household member.
What are ways Hepatitis C is not spread?
Hepatitis C virus is not spread by sharing eating utensils, breastfeeding, hugging, kissing, holding hands, coughing, or sneezing. It is also not spread through food or water.
Who is at risk for Hepatitis C?
Some people are at increased risk for Hepatitis C, including
* Current injection drug users (currently the most common way Hepatitis C virus is spread in the United States)
* Past injection drug users, including those who injected only one time or many years ago
* Recipients of donated blood, blood products, and organs (once a common means of transmission but now rare in the United States since blood screening became available in 1992)
* People who received a blood product for clotting problems made before 1987
* Hemodialysis patients or persons who spent many years on dialysis for kidney failure
* People who received body piercing or tattoos done with non-sterile instruments
* People with known exposures to the Hepatitis C virus, such as
- Health care workers injured by needlesticks
- Recipients of blood or organs from a donor who tested positive for the Hepatitis C virus
- HIV-infected persons
- Children born to mothers infected with the Hepatitis C virus
Less common risks include:
* Having sexual contact with a person who is infected with the Hepatitis C virus
* Sharing personal care items, such as razors or toothbrushes, that may have come in contact with the blood of an infected person
As always use common sense, and always practice safer sex. As there are many other diseases you can get besides hepatitis C.
Hector
Transmission / Exposure
How is Hepatitis C spread?
Hepatitis C is spread when blood from a person infected with the Hepatitis C virus enters the body of someone who is not infected. Today, most people become infected with the Hepatitis C virus by sharing needles or other equipment to inject drugs. Before 1992, when widespread screening of the blood supply began in the United States, Hepatitis C was also commonly spread through blood transfusions and organ transplants.
People can become infected with the Hepatitis C virus during such activities as
* Sharing needles, syringes, or other equipment to inject drugs
* Needlestick injuries in health care settings
* Being born to a mother who has Hepatitis C
Less commonly, a person can also get Hepatitis C virus infection through
* Sharing personal care items that may have come in contact with another person’s blood, such as razors or toothbrushes
* Having sexual contact with a person infected with the Hepatitis C virus
Can Hepatitis C be spread through sexual contact?
Yes, but the risk of transmission from sexual contact is believed to be low. The risk increases for those who have multiple sex partners, have a sexually transmitted disease, engage in rough sex, or are infected with HIV. More research is needed to better understand how and when Hepatitis C can be spread through sexual contact.
Can you get Hepatitis C by getting a tattoo or piercing?
A few major research studies have not shown Hepatitis C to be spread through licensed, commercial tattooing facilities. However, transmission of Hepatitis C (and other infectious diseases) is possible when poor infection-control practices are used during tattooing or piercing. Body art is becoming increasingly popular in the United States, and unregulated tattooing and piercing are known to occur in prisons and other informal or unregulated settings. Further research is needed to determine if these types of settings and exposures are responsible for Hepatitis C virus transmission.
Can Hepatitis C be spread within a household?
Yes, but this does not occur very often. If Hepatitis C virus is spread within a household, it is most likely a result of direct, through-the-skin exposure to the blood of an infected household member.
What are ways Hepatitis C is not spread?
Hepatitis C virus is not spread by sharing eating utensils, breastfeeding, hugging, kissing, holding hands, coughing, or sneezing. It is also not spread through food or water.
Who is at risk for Hepatitis C?
Some people are at increased risk for Hepatitis C, including
* Current injection drug users (currently the most common way Hepatitis C virus is spread in the United States)
* Past injection drug users, including those who injected only one time or many years ago
* Recipients of donated blood, blood products, and organs (once a common means of transmission but now rare in the United States since blood screening became available in 1992)
* People who received a blood product for clotting problems made before 1987
* Hemodialysis patients or persons who spent many years on dialysis for kidney failure
* People who received body piercing or tattoos done with non-sterile instruments
* People with known exposures to the Hepatitis C virus, such as
- Health care workers injured by needlesticks
- Recipients of blood or organs from a donor who tested positive for the Hepatitis C virus
- HIV-infected persons
- Children born to mothers infected with the Hepatitis C virus
Less common risks include:
* Having sexual contact with a person who is infected with the Hepatitis C virus
* Sharing personal care items, such as razors or toothbrushes, that may have come in contact with the blood of an infected person
As always use common sense, and always practice safer sex. As there are many other diseases you can get besides hepatitis C.
Hector
Don't share needles, syringes or cookers.
Don't share tooth brushes, razors or nail scissors/clippers.
Don't share straws when snorting drugs.
Tattoos, piercings, electrolysis, acupuncture can be a routes of transmission if needles get reused or equipment is not properly steralized.
Personally, I'd avoid manicures/pedicures.
The risk with heterosexual sex is considered small, but if sex is rough, anal sex, etc - use a condom.
Bottom line - it's a blood borne disease, so if your blood comes into contact with tainted blood you are at risk.
Don't share tooth brushes, razors or nail scissors/clippers.
Don't share straws when snorting drugs.
Tattoos, piercings, electrolysis, acupuncture can be a routes of transmission if needles get reused or equipment is not properly steralized.
Personally, I'd avoid manicures/pedicures.
The risk with heterosexual sex is considered small, but if sex is rough, anal sex, etc - use a condom.
Bottom line - it's a blood borne disease, so if your blood comes into contact with tainted blood you are at risk.
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