If you have hepatitis C, any contact with your blood could transmit the virus to someone else. You need to take steps to keep both yourself and others safe. You could get re-infected with hepatitis C if you’ve already cleared the virus or you could become infected with another virus that can cause liver damage (like hepatitis B) or one that is transmitted through blood (like HIV).
The hepatitis C virus can be easily passed on by sharing, lending or borrowing drug use equipment such as needles, filters, cookers, tourniquets, alcohol swabs, crack pipes and straws. Remember that the virus is invisible and can live in the smallest amount of blood.
Hep C is passed through infected blood, so you cannot get it from saliva, sweat or tears. Casual contact like kissing, hugging, and sharing cups and glasses is OK.
If you have Hep C, here’s what you can do to protect yourself and others:
- Do not share or reuse other peoples’ injection, smoking or snorting equipment, ever. Use a clean needle every time. Go to a needle exchange if there is one near you.
- Make sure equipment used for piercing and tattooing is clean and has never been used before, including the ink.
- Use a condom for sex to be extra safe.
- Have your own personal items that might have blood on them, like razors or nail clippers and don’t let other people use them.
- Do not donate blood or organs.
- Talk to your healthcare provider if you or your partner are thinking of getting pregnant.
