What are the only ways you can get Hepatitis C?
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Hepatitis C is a blood borne pathogen. That means it is transmitted by blood to blood contact only. It is rarely sexually transmitted unless there is an exchange of blood during sex (MSM, rough sex, kinky [pins, needles being stuck into each other, etc]).
One thing about Hep C (HCV) is that it can be undetected for years, even decades. The symptoms are so subtle, that often people attribute them to other causes. Usually, elevated liver enzymes are the first sign, but even 40% of people with HCV have liver enzymes within normal limits.
The transmission risk factors are: blood transfusions before 1992 (that's when a test was developed to test the blood supply), IV drug use even if only one time years ago, tattoos, piercings, pnuematic vaccinations given by the military, blood exposure from medical workers or military, kidney dialysis, snorting drugs & sharing the straw or dollar bill, sharing toothbrushes or razors with someone who is infected even if they aren't yet diagnosed, and sexual practices mentioned above. Sexual transmission of HCV among stable, monogamous couples is less than 4%. It is not uncommon for people to have this 10, 20, or 30 years and not know it. Hope this helps you. Best wishes.
It cannot be contracted through casual contact. It must be blood contact. They're still unsure if sexual contact can transmit it.
No, it cannot be transmitted through food, only via blood-to-blood. So she must have had an open cut somewhere, wich came in contact with infected blood.
modes of Hep C transmission
1) blood transfusion
2) needlestick injury containing contaminated blood
3) sexual intercourse
4) vertical transmission (from mother to baby in the womb)
5) much lower rates from saliva, stools, urine
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