Hepatitis C (HCV) is a contagious disease that infects the liver and causes inflammation that causes the liver to stop functioning properly. Hepatitis C is transmitted from person to person through contact with blood infected by HCV. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 3.2 million Americans have hepatitis C. Certain risk factors that increase an individual's chance of becoming infected with HCV. An individual aware of these risk factors can decrease his chance of becoming infected and prevent the transmission of hepatitis C.
IV Drug Use
Hepatitis is transmitted when an individual infected with a hepatitis C uses a needle and then shares the needle with another individual. According to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention sharing dirty needles to inject drugs is the most common mode of transmission for hepatitis C. One-third of IV drug users have HCV.
Blood Transfusions/Organ Donation
Individuals are at risk for hepatitis C if they received a blood transfusion or had an organ transplant before 1992, before advanced testing of donors was available. The American Red Cross estimates 1 in 2 million Americans will acquire hepatitis C through a blood transfusion. To reduce the risk, individuals who donate blood are carefully screened and assessed for risk factors and symptoms of hepatitis C. The blood that is acquired from transfusions is carefully screened for the presence of hepatitis C. All donors of organs are tested for hepatitis C.
Mother To Child
Hepatitis C can be transmitted from an infected mother to her child; however, the American Academy of Family Physicians states that the risk is low with only 5 percent of infected mothers passing the virus to their newborns. There is no treatment to prevent the transmission of HCV from an infected mother to her child, but a pregnant woman at high risk for hepatitis C should be offered counseling and testing. An infant born to a mother with hepatitis C should be tested and monitored for chronic liver disease. Breastfeeding does not spread hepatitis C, but a woman should avoid breastfeeding if her nipple is cracked or bleeding.
Sexual Intercourse
Dr. Michael Picco from The Mayo Clinic states that transmission of hepatitis C from sexual intercourse is not common; about 0 to 0.6 percent a year. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) does not recommended monogamous couples use condoms. For individuals with multiple relationships with other individuals infected with hepatitis C, risk of transmission is 1 percent and the CDC does recommend using condoms.
Other Risk Factors
Though it is rare, transmission of HCV can occur from sharing a toothbrush or razor with an infected individual and getting tattooed or pierced with unsterile needles. A sealthcare worker is also at increased risk for HCV from accidental needle sticks from needles that have been used in HCV-infected individuals.
