How is Hepatitis C contracted and spread?
A. The HCV virus is primarily transmitted through blood to blood contact with some incidence of sexual transmission. The latter is thought to occur most often among those who have engaged in casual, unprotected sex with multiple partners. Blood to blood transmission, which accounts for the overwhelming majority of infections, can occur from the sharing of needles, intra-nasal straws, razors, toothbrushes, body jewelry, nail clippers and manicure implements. The virus is also known to have been transmitted through pre-1992 blood transfusions, hemodialysis, needle-sticks, improperly sterilized tattoo needles or contaminated ink and by other means providing for exposure with even a miniscule amount of infected blood. Hepatitis C is not known to be transmitted through casual contact such as handshakes, hugging or close non-sexual contact. [more . . .
