Hepatitis C is spread by blood-to-blood contact when one person already has the Hep C virus in their body.
There are some activities and behaviours that put you at high risk for getting Hep C, and others that have some risk, and some that have little or no risk.
High risk
- Using equipment for injection drug use—needles, syringes, cookers, ties, filters, alcohol wipes and water—that has been used by someone else.
- Using drug equipment such as crack pipes and straws or bills for snorting already used by someone else.
- Having a tattoo or piercing done with equipment that has not been sterilized and may have infected blood on it or using ink that might have blood in it.
- Engaging in practices and rituals that involve cutting (and sharing the same cutting tool).
- Having had a blood transfusion or transfusion of blood products before 1992. After that donated blood began to be tested for Hep C.
- Reusing needles for vaccination or medical procedures (it is rare for this to happen in Canada these days).
Some risk
- Having unprotected sex (sexual intercourse) that is “rough” and may involve contact with infected blood.
- Having unprotected sex when a woman is on her period, if she is infected.
- Getting a needlestick injury.
- Sharing personal things, like a razor, nail clipper or toothbrush, where there is a chance of contact with the blood of a person with Hep C.
- Being born to a mother who has Hep C (this is rare).
No risk (no blood contact)
- Hugging, kissing
- Day-to-day contact with family or friends
- Using public bathrooms
Anyone can get Hep C. But some people are more likely to be exposed to Hep C than others. Studies show that there are high rates of Hep C in people who use and inject drugs, people living on the street, Aboriginal peoples, people in prison and immigrants from countries where there are high rates of hepatitis C. The discrimination they often face makes it harder for them to access services like healthcare or prevention programs and makes it easier to get Hep C.
To learn more about preventing hepatitis C and reducing your risk, see Staying Safe.
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