Hepatitis C - Preventing hepatitis C
- Introduction
- Symptoms of hepatitis C
- Causes of hepatitis C
- Diagnosing hepatitis C
- Treating hepatitis C
- Complications of hepatitis C
- Preventing hepatitis C
- Living with hepatitis C
- Hepatitis C expert Dr Janice Main on the questions to ask
There is no vaccination to protect against hepatitis C, but there are ways to reduce your risk of becoming infected.
Injecting drug users are most at risk of contracting the infection. Never share any injecting equipment, such as needles, syringes, spoons and filters.
Also, do not share razors, toothbrushes or towels that might be contaminated with blood.
If you have hepatitis C
You can reduce the risk of passing hepatitis C on to other people by:
- keeping personal items, such as toothbrushes or razors, for your own use
- cleaning and covering any cuts or grazes with a waterproof dressing
- cleaning any blood from surfaces with household bleach
- not sharing needles or syringes with others
- not donating blood
Sexual transmission
The risk of sexual transmission is low. However, the risk is increased if there is blood present, such as menstrual blood or during anal sex. For this reason, condoms are not usually recommended for long-term heterosexual couples.
However, the best way to avoid transmitting hepatitis C is to use a condom or female condom, especially with a new partner.
© Crown Copyright 2009
