How is hepatitis C virus transmitted?
The virus is transmitted by exposure to blood and body fluids of an infected person. However, the most frequent source of transmission is direct exposure to infected blood. Risk factors for contracting the virus include: receiving blood products from an infected person, sharing items such as razors, syringes, or needles that may have had blood on them, having unprotected sexual contact. The virus can also be transmitted during the perinatal period if an infant is born to a hepatitis C virus infected mother. Hepatitis C virus infection is not transmitted by kissing, hugging, sneezing, coughing, food or water, or casual contact. Children infected with hepatitis C virus should not be excluded from school, play, or any other childhood activity based on their infection status.
