American Liver Society

Viral Hepatitis C

How could a person have gotten Hepatitis C?

HCV is spread primarily by direct contact with human blood. For example, you may have gotten infected with HCV if:

you ever injected street drugs, as the needles and/or other drug "works" used to prepare or inject the drug(s) may have had someone else's blood that contained HCV on them.
you received blood, blood products, or solid organs from a donor whose blood contained HCV.
you were ever on long-term kidney dialysis as you may have unknowingly shared supplies/equipment that had someone else's blood on them.
you were ever a healthcare worker and had frequent contact with blood on the job, especially accidental needlesticks.
your mother had hepatitis C at the time she gave birth to you. During the birth her blood may have gotten into your body.
you ever had sex with a person infected with HCV.
you lived with someone who was infected with HCV and shared items such as razors or toothbrushes that might have had his/her blood on them.

How long can Hepatitis C live outside the body and transmit infection?

Recent studies suggest that HCV may survive on environmental surfaces at room temperature at least 16 hours, but no longer than 4 days.

Is there any evidence that Hepatitis C has been spread during medical or dental procedures done in the United States?

Medical and dental procedures done in the United States generally do not pose a risk for the spread of HCV. However, there have been a few situations in which HCV has been spread between patients when supplies or equipment were shared between them.

Can Hepatitis C be spread by sexual activity?

Yes, but this does not occur very often. See section on counseling for more information on hepatitis C and sexual activity.

Can Hepatitis C be spread by oral sex?

There is no evidence that HCV has been spread by oral sex. See section on counseling for more information on hepatitis C and sexual activity.

Can Hepatitis C be spread within a household?

Yes, but this does not occur very often. If HCV is spread within a household, it is most likely due to direct exposure to the blood of an infected household member.

Since more advanced tests have been developed for use in blood banks, what is the chance now that a person can get HCV infection from transfused blood or blood products?
Less than 1 chance per million units transfused.

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