How did you get it?
Hepatitis C is a virus that is transmitted (passed on) by
contact with the blood of an infected person.This is commonly
referred to as blood to blood contact which
means you can get Hepatitis C when infected blood finds its way
into your bloodstream and the virus is able to survive and multiply
to establish an infection. In terms of an average healthy
lifestyle, the opportunities for that to happen are quite rare.
Risk factors, who is at risk of Hepatitis
C?
You should consider a test for Hepatitis C if you have ever been
at risk of exposure to the virus. This includes anyone who:
- Has ever injected
or snorted drugs in the past (including anabolic steroids)
using shared
equipment, however long ago, even if this was only once or
twice
- Has unexplained persistently high ALT
levels
- Has had a blood transfusion in the UK before September
1991
- Has received any blood products before 1987 in Scotland (before
1986 in England)
- Has been the recipient of an organ/tissue transplant in the UK
before 1982
- Has ever received medical or dental treatment in countries
where infection control may be poor
- Is the child of a mother with Hepatitis
C
- Is a regular sexual partner/household contact of someone with
Hepatitis C
- Has been accidentally exposed to blood where there is a risk of
transmission of Hepatitis C (eg. healthcare worker with a
needlestick injury)
- Has had tattoos, piercings, acupuncture or electrolysis where
infection control procedures are poor
- Is infected with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
- Is a migrant from a country with a medium or high prevalence of
Hepatitis C
The Scottish Intercollegiate Network (SIGN) guideline entitled
Management of
Hepatitis C provides further details of who should be offered or recommended a test
for Hepatitis C.