How do you get HCV?

HCV is spread when blood from a person who is infected with the virus enters the body of someone else. Today, most people become infected with HCV by sharing needles, straws, cottons or other equipment used to prepare, inject, or snort drugs.

• Injecting drugs with unsterile equipment

• Sharing a straw used to snort drugs

• Tattooing and body piercing , both needles and sharing ink

• Accidental stick on the job (medical workers and emergency response technicians)

• Dialysis needles or equipment and other contaminated sharp objects

• Hepatitis C-infected mother to her fetus during pregnancy

• Sharing razors, toothbrushes, nail manicure equipment, or other care items

• Contact with an infected person’s blood

• Needles used for acupuncture

• Spending time in jail or prison