How is the Virus Spread  

After interacting with hundreds of sufferers, the initial question by their medical practitioner is: “How did you get this disease? Were you an IV drug user”? The facts are that most people have no idea how this disease invaded their body, and how you got it is irrelevant. You are there for help, not to be categorized.

The virus is spread by direct contact with the blood of an infected person. This happens most often by having received a transfusion of blood or blood product. In US, this applies only to transfusions before 1992. As of 1992 all blood and blood products are said to have been screened for the Hepatitis C virus.

Other situations where contact can occur from a HCV infected person include: sharing toothbrushes, dental floss, razors, nail files, or other items which could have blood on them, sharing syringes, straws for drug use; and skin-piercing procedures such as tattoos, body-piercing, acupuncture or electrolysis if the equipment is not sterile. Avoiding these situations are mandatory & can help to prevent others from becoming infected with Hepatitis C.

At this time, it is believed that the risk of spreading the virus by sexual means - either heterosexual or homosexual - is rare. In spite of the low risk, long-term monogamous couples must decide for themselves about routine condom use. There are no known cases of mothers passing the virus through breast milk.