Early diagnosis can prevent health problems that may result from infection, and prevent transmission of the virus.
Some countries recommend screening for people who may be at increased risk of infection.
People in increased risk for hepatitis C infection, include:
Current injection drug users (currently the most common way hepatitis C virus is spread in the United States) Past injection drug users, including those who injected only one time or many years ago Recipients of donated blood, blood products, and organs (once a common way of transmission but now rare in the United States since blood screening became available in 1992) People who received a blood product for clotting problems made before 1987 Hemodialysis patients or persons who spent many years on dialysis for kidney failure People who received body piercing or tattoos done with non-sterile instruments People with known exposures to the hepatitis C virus, such as healthcare workers HIV -infected persons Children born to mothers infected with the hepatitis C virus Having sexual contact with a person who is infected with the hepatitis C virus Sharing personal care items, such as razors or toothbrushes, that may have come in contact with the blood of an infected person
Who is at highest risk for Hepatitis C ?
Early diagnosis can prevent health problems that may result from infection, and prevent transmission of the virus.
Some countries recommend screening for people who may be at increased risk of infection.
People in increased risk for hepatitis C infection, include:
Current injection drug users (currently the most common way hepatitis C virus is spread in the United States) Past injection drug users, including those who injected only one time or many years ago Recipients of donated blood, blood products, and organs (once a common way of transmission but now rare in the United States since blood screening became available in 1992) People who received a blood product for clotting problems made before 1987 Hemodialysis patients or persons who spent many years on dialysis for kidney failure People who received body piercing or tattoos done with non-sterile instruments People with known exposures to the hepatitis C virus, such as healthcare workers HIV -infected persons Children born to mothers infected with the hepatitis C virus Having sexual contact with a person who is infected with the hepatitis C virus Sharing personal care items, such as razors or toothbrushes, that may have come in contact with the blood of an infected person