The hepatitis C virus is an infection that attacks the liver and causes inflammation. The majority of people don’t show symptoms of hepatitis C. However, some people may experience loss of appetite, nausea, fatigue, or yellowing of the skin and eyes. It can be cured if you do go see a medical professional and they run blood tests to determine that you need medication. Hepatitis C can spread very fast so it is important that you know how it spreads so you can avoid it:

1. Sharing drug paraphernalia
This is a frequent way that hepatitis C gets passed around from one person to the next is by sharing drug paraphernalia. A lot of people think that it is only if you share the needle. However, even if you share tourniquets, pipes, or straws, you are at risk. The tourniquets can easily get blood on them from someone else that used them while injecting. While the pipes and the straws can easily get blood from a dry nose or cracked lips. The best thing you can do would quit drugs but at the very least, make sure you aren’t sharing needles or pipes.

2. Non Sterilized tattoo and piercing equipment
Hepatitis C transmission via tattoos or piercings is one of the most common ways among all age ranges and professions, that it is spread. The needles that are used for piercings and tattoos can carry this virus from one person to another. Even the ink from a tattoo can carry this virus if it has been used on another person. That is why it is important to do your research before you get any tattoos or piercings.

3. Childbirth
The likelihood of getting hepatitis C from childbirth is slim. However, just like with unprotected sex it is possible. If the mother is infected with it, it is likely that it can be passed on to their baby as well.

4. Unprotected Sex
It is pretty rare to get hepatitis C from unprotected sex, although it is still a possibility. If you are menstruating, have HIV, or have another sexually transmitted infection, you can catch and spread hepatitis C.

5. Needlestick injuries
This is one of the most common ways that medical professionals can contract hepatitis C. If you have given a shot or draw blood from someone, then accidentally poke yourself with that needle, it can lead to hepatitis C if the person is infected with HVC. Needlestick injuries are relatively common, it is estimated that 600,000 to 800,000 happen every year. Most of these go unreported.

6. Blood transfusions
In some countries, when a blood transfusion is done the blood is not tested for hepatitis C. If that is the case, then you can become infected as soon as the transfusion is started. Testing for hepatitis C didn’t become common until July of 1992, so if you have had a transfusion or an organ transplant before this time, you should get tested for it.