is hepatitis c contagious?

Answer 1

Hepatitis C is a blood borne virus...it is most commonly transferred via the blood stream for example...sharing needles, needle stick injuries, sharing razors, tooth brushes, having unprotected sex during menstruation, via child birth (although only 6% of children born to mothers with hepatitis C contract the disease). It is very rare for babies to contract hep c via breast feeding however precautions need to be taken in the event of cracked nipples. Hep c cannot be transmitted via sex unless there is blood present. The danger with hep c is that there often can be a window period of about three months so someone can have it without knowing. Also people can be carriers of the disease for many years and not know that they have it because they dont display any symptoms. Having hep c is not a death sentence............leading a healthy lifestyle, not drinking alcohol, getting exercise and having a good diet often means that it will cause no problems at all, physiological anyway. There can be psychological issues related to hep c....discrimination, low self esteem and depression. There are many excellent web sites about hep c...just make sure you find a reputable one ie a local hep c council..

Answer 2

Yes, it is contagious. It is spread by blood to blood transmission. That means tattoo needles or contaminated ink, piercings, IV drug use (even if only one time back in the 70's), sharing toothbrushes or razors with an infected person (bleeding gums or blood on razor), dialysis, straws or dollar bills used to snort drugs, pneumatic vaccination guns used by the military, or any other means where the virus can live on some contaminated instrument for 7 days. It is less likely to be spread by sexual contact (<5%). Hep C can be treated with a 50-80% success rate, depending on the genotype.

Answer 3

Contracting Hep C through sex is not likely at all. There must be blood contact to get Hep C. Hepatitis C is not passed through any other bodily fluids including semen, saliva, tears, mucous, vaginal secretions, etc. It can only be transferred through blood to blood contact, meaning that the infected blood must find a way into your bloodstream. My mom contracted Hep C through a blood transfusion in the 1960's and has been married to my dad for 35 years...He has never contracted it. I got Hep C from my mom when I was born and have been with my husband for 7 years now...He has never contracted it either.

Answer 4

to those who know their stuff concrads on excellent answers...to those who DO NOT know what they are talking about, there should be a law!

HCV IS ONLY SPREAD THROUGH INFECTED BLOOD.
Anotherwards, blood transmission HAS TO OCCUR in order for infection!

HCV IS NOT A "short term" disease. IT IS LONG TERM.

THERE IS NO VACCINE for HCV! NO SHOT AT ALL!

HCV CAN BE CURED WITH ANTIVIRAL CHEMOTHERAPY, some have a better chance depending on their genotype.

FOR THOSE THAT SIMPLY ANSWER YES- FALSE!!!!!

I was infected for almost 27 years out of 34 year of my life before enduring antiviral chemotherapy. I was gullable to guys advances when i was young. I have slept with most out of low self esteem caused by the very disease we are speaking of (even though my disease was not discovered until i was 34)
NOT ONE man has HCV. NOT ONE. I even saw one guy off and on for over 14 years and even slept with him during my chemo.

Thats proof it cannot be spread via sexual intercourse! If that were the case, the day I lost my virginity, the guy could of got it and he didn't!

I would also like to add here that the only thing found in semen and vaginal fluid are what is called corpuscles. These are not active, transmittalbe virons!

Answer 5

Hep C is contagious THROUGH blood. I mean you should and could be careful about sex, but basically the concern is for a blood spill. If someone with Hep C cuts them self and you help them clean it and have an open cut or scrape on your hand, then you would be more susceptible to catching it than you would be through unprotected sex.

Answer 6

The hepatitis C virus(HCV) is one of the most important causes of chronic liver disease in the United States. It accounts for about 15 percent of acute viral hepatits, 60 to 70 percent of chronic hepatitis, and up to 50 percent of cirrhosis, end-stage liver disease, and liver cancer.

HCV is spread primarily by contact with blood and blood products. Blood transfusions and the use of shared, unsterilized, or poorly sterilized needles and syringes have been the main cause of the spread of HCV in the United States. At present, injection drug use is the most common risk factor for contracting the disease. However, many patients acquire hepatits C without any known exposure to blood or drug use.

People with high-risk sexual behavior, multiple partners, and sexually transmitted diseases.

People who use cocaine, particulary with intranasal administration, using shared equipment.

Sexual transmission of hepatits C between monogamous partners appears to be uncommon. It occurs in less than 1 percent of partners per year.

Answer 7

Hepatitis is A, B and C are all contagious.

Hep C, however only last for 2-6 months, and requires milder treatment, as your body is trying to produce its own anti-bodies to fight the infection.

Don't be so scared by, colds are very contagious too.

See link below...

Answer 8

I have hep c and it is contagious only trough blood, The risk through sex are so low only a 5% chance, my husband and I never use protection hes clean. Trust me Ive done my research and it angers me to read people acting like its so horrible, half the time they dont even no the facts. good luck...

Answer 9

Of course it's contagious. It's spread by blood contact with an infected person.

Answer 10

I was always told HepC is a blood borne pathogen, and the most common way to transmit it is by sharing needles.