How could a person have been exposed to hepatitis C?
HCV is spread primarily by direct contact with human blood. For example, you may have gotten infected with HCV if: • You ever injected street drugs, that may have had someone else’s blood that contained HCV on them. • You received blood, blood products, or solid organs from a donor whose blood contained HCV. • You were ever on long-term kidney dialysis as you may have unknowingly shared supplies/equipment that had someone else’s blood on them. • You were ever a healthcare worker and had frequent contact with blood on the job, especially accidental needlesticks. • Your mother had hepatitis C at the time she gave birth to you. During the birth her blood may have gotten into your body. • You ever had sex with a person infected with HCV. • You lived with someone who was infected with HCV and shared items such as razors or toothbrushes that might have had his/her blood on them.
