What causes hepatitis C infection?
Hepatitis C is caused by the hepatitis C virus. It is spread by contact with an infected person’s blood. You can get hepatitis C if: • You share needles and other equipment used to inject illegal drugs. This is the most common way to get hepatitis C in the United States. • You had a blood transfusion or organ transplant before 1992. As of 1992 in the United States, all donated blood and organs are screened for hepatitis C. • You get a shot with a needle that has infected blood on it. This happens in some developing countries where they use needles more than once when giving shots. • You get a tattoo or a piercing with a needle that has infected blood on it. This can happen if equipment isn’t cleaned properly after it is used. In rare cases, a mother with hepatitis C spreads the virus to her baby at birth, or a health care worker is accidentally exposed to blood that is infected with hepatitis C. Experts are not sure if you can get hepatitis C through sexual contact. If there is a risk
