Prevention
Currently, there is no vaccine to prevent hepatitis C infection. But you can take precautions to protect yourself against becoming infected with hepatitis C virus and to prevent passing on the virus to others. CDC recommends that you
- Do not share personal care items that might have blood on them, such as razors or toothbrushes.
- Do not shoot drugs; if you shoot drugs, stop and get into a treatment program; if you can't stop, never share needles, syringes, water, or "works," and get vaccinated against hepatitis A and hepatitis B.
- Consider the risks if you are thinking about getting a tattoo or body piercing. You might get infected if the tools have someone else's blood on them or if the artist or piercer does not follow good health practices.
- Do not donate blood, organs, or tissue if you have hepatitis C.
HCV can be spread by sex, but this is rare. If you are having sex with more than one partner, using latex condoms correctly and every time you have sex may help prevent the spread of HCV. You should also get vaccinated against hepatitis B.
Healthcare or public safety workers should always follow special precautions when handling needles and other sharp instruments and get vaccinated against hepatitis B.
Most people who are infected with HCV have no symptoms even though they may have been infected several years earlier. Therefore, it is important for people at high risk for getting infected to be tested for HCV so they can start treatment as early as possible. High risk groups include
- People who had transfusions of blood or blood products before routine blood screening began
- People receiving dialysis
- People who have had intimate contact with anyone infected with HCV
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