What causes hepatitis C?
Let’s look at some possible causes how one might contract hepatitis c. • School Inoculations During the “cold war” era, grade school children were typically inoculated in “herd” programs. They were simply lined up and given inoculations for small pox, polio and other serious diseases all without parental consent. Transmission of hepatitis was not considered, at that time. • Inadequate Sterilization Until recently, health departments, doctor’s offices, hospitals, clinics and dentist offices did not sterilize their equipment nor did they dispose of their hazardous waste safely. Syringes and needles were soaked in alcohol to “sterilize” them a procedure that we now know simply does not work. Both patients as well as medical practitioners could have contracted hepatitis c this way. • Military Inoculations Many other Americans contracted hepatitis in the military. Entire groups of soldiers were inoculated with the same instruments. Even though the needle was supposed to be an air blast, ski
Hepatitis C is caused by a virus. A virus is a germ that causes sickness. (For example, the flu is caused by a virus.) People can pass viruses to each other. The virus that causes hepatitis C is called the hepatitis C virus. How Could I Get Hepatitis C? Hepatitis C spreads by contact with an infected person’s blood. You could get hepatitis C by: • Sharing drug needles • Getting pricked with a needle that has infected blood on it (hospital workers can get hepatitis C this way) • Being born to a mother with hepatitis C In rare cases, you could get hepatitis C by: • Getting a tattoo or body piercing with unsterilized, dirty tools • Having sex with an infected person, especially if you or your partner has other sexually transmitted diseases You can NOT get hepatitis C by: • Shaking hands with an infected person • Hugging an infected person • Kissing an infected person • Sitting next to an infected person Could I Get Hepatitis C from a Blood Transfusion? If you had a blood transfusion or or
