certain factors may increase your risk of becoming infected with the hepatitis c virus. just because you are at risk for getting hepatitis c does not mean that you have the virus. but if you are at risk talk to your doctor about whether you should be tested. risk factors you can control include: sharing needles and other equipment (such as cotton spoons and water) used to inject drugs. having your ears or another body part pierced getting a tattoo or having acupuncture with needles that have not been sterilized properly. the risk of getting hepatitis c in these ways is very low. working in a health care environment where you are exposed to fresh blood or where you may be pricked with a used needle. following standard precautions for health care workers makes this risk very low. risk factors you cannot control include: having had a blood transfusion or organ transplant before 1992. starting in 1992 all donated blood and organs were screened for hepatitis c. having been exposed to unsafe practices for giving shots such as reusing needles. this occurs in some developing countries. needing to have your blood filtered by a machine ( hemodialysis ) because your kidneys cannot filter your blood. being born to a mother who has hepatitis c. the risk of passing the virus to a child is greater if the mother is also infected with hiv. hepatitis b and c: should i be tested? webmd medical reference from healthwise this information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. healthwise disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information. © 1995-2011 healthwise incorporated. healthwise healthwise for every health decision and the healthwise logo are trademarks of healthwise incorporated.
what increases the risk of getting hepatitis c?