............. WHAT IS HEPATITIS C.......... ????

What is hepatitis C?
Hepatitis C is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV), which is found in the blood  of persons who have this disease. HCV is spread by contact with the blood of an infected person.
Who should get tested for hepatitis C?
  • persons who ever injected illegal drugs, including those who injected once or a few times many years ago
  • persons who were notified that they received blood from a donor who later tested positive for hepatitis C
  • persons who received a blood transfusion or solid organ transplant
  • long-term hemodialysis patients
  • persons who have signs or symptoms of liver disease (e.g., abnormal liver enzyme tests)
  • healthcare workers after exposures (e.g., needle sticks or splashes to the eye ) to HCV-positive blood on the job
  • children born to HCV-positive women
How could a person have gotten 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, as the needles and/or other drug "works" used to prepare or inject the drug(s) 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.
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