Are you at Risk?

Hepatitis C is spread when blood that has Hep C in it gets into your bloodstream.

There are some activities that put you at high risk for getting Hep C, others that have some risk and some that have no risk.

High risk

• Using equipment for injection drug use—needles, syringes, cookers, ties, filters, alcohol wipes and water—that was already used by someone else.
• Using other drug equipment—such as pipes and straws or bills for snorting—that was already used by someone else.
• Having a tattoo or piercing done with equipment that has not been sterilized and may have infected blood on it or using ink that might have blood in it.
• Participating in practices and rituals that involve cutting (and sharing the same cutting tool).
• Having had a blood transfusion or transfusion of blood products before 1992. Since 1992, donated blood in Canada is tested for Hep C.
• Reusing needles for vaccination or medical procedures (it is rare for this to happen in Canada these days).

Some risk

• Having unprotected sex (sexual intercourse) that may involve contact with infected blood, such as fisting or sex when a woman has her period. It is easier for Hep C to be passed on during sex if someone has HIV.
• Getting a needlestick injury.
• Sharing personal things—razors, nail clippers, toothbrushes—where there is a chance of contact with the blood of a person with Hep C.
• Being born to a woman who has Hep C. This is rare, but the risk is higher if the woman has both Hep C and HIV.

No risk (no blood contact)

• Hugging and kissing
• Day-to-day contact with family or friends
• Using public bathrooms

Anyone can get Hep C, but some people are more likely to be exposed to Hep C than others. Studies show that there are high rates of Hep C in people who use and inject drugs, people living on the street, Aboriginal peoples, people in prison and immigrants from countries where there are high rates of hepatitis C. The discrimination a person faces can make it harder for him or her to access services like healthcare or prevention programs and can make it easier to get Hep C.

To learn more about preventing hepatitis C and reducing your risk, see Staying safe.

Revised 2011.