Causes
The hepatitis C virus (HCV) spreads through blood and can be transmitted in the following ways:
- sharing needles while using illegal street drugs.
- using non-sterile instruments and needles for tattooing and body piercing
- receiving organs (such as a kidney, liver, or pancreas) from a donor who is infected with HCV. However, organ donors in the U.S. are screened for HCV infection, so the risk of being infected with the virus after an organ transplant is low.
- Blood transfusion. This used to be a major way the hepatitis C virus was spread. But today, screening tests are performed on all donated blood so this cause has almost been eliminated.
Although the risk is low, engaging in high-risk sexual behavior (having multiple partners or not using condoms), having a sexually transmitted disease, or being infected with HIV may increase the risk of sexual transmission of HCV infection. The risk of an infected pregnant woman transmitting the virus to her baby is also low.
Doctors don't know the length of time a person infected with the virus remains contagious. For this reason, anyone who tests positive for the HCV antibody should take precautions to avoid spreading the infection. See "Treatment and Prevention" for more information.