is hep c contagious to the family members?

Answer 1

How is HCV spread?

HCV is spread primarily by exposure to human blood. A person may get hepatitis C by sharing needles to inject drugs or through exposure to human blood in the workplace. Although the risk of getting hepatitis C from a blood transfusion still exists, this risk is very low because donated blood has been screened for HCV since May 1990.

Hepatitis C has been transmitted between sex partners and among household members; however, the degree of this risk is unknown.

There is no evidence that HCV is spread by sneezing, coughing, hugging, or other casual contact.

HCV cannot be spread by food or water.

A person who has had other types of viral hepatitis, such as hepatitis A or hepatitis B, can still get hepatitis C.

Answer 2

If someone in a household has hep C, other household members should avoid using his personal care items -- toothbrush, razor, comb, nail file -- because they may contain trace amounts of blood. Hep C is spread only by contact with infected blood.

Some people assume that hep C is sexually transmitted, but studies have found no disease transmission with monogamous sex. There is an extremely low rate of transmission related to people who have sex with multiple partners, but they may be sharing toothbrushes or razors the morning after, and may have other risk factors such as intravenous drug use.

There are many web sites with hep C information, but a lot of them are inaccurate or out of date. You can rely on the accuracy of the Centers for Disease Control, however. This link will take you to the CDC section on hep C: http://www.cdc.gov/search.do?action=search&queryText=hepatitis+C&x=8&y=7

Answer 3

Actually there had been some very accurate answers so far. The answer would be probably not, not unless infected blood got into the bloodstream of a family member. The infected person should just keep his/her own razors, toothbrushes, nail brush in their own toiletry bag. The virus can live outside the body in blood, some studies have shown as long as up to 2 months. It is only present in blood, it is not in saliva or sexual fluids in infectious amounts. It cannot be spread through casual contact, kissing, hugging, sharing of cutlery, dishes etc. If you come into contact with a blood spill - clean with bleach. You are not going to be infected just by touching infected blood - it has to get into your bloodstream.

Answer 4

Hepatitis C is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV), which is found in the blood of persons who have this disease. HCV is spread by contact with the blood of an infected person.
Like hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus is spread when blood or body fluids of an infected person enters the body of a person who is not infected, such as through sharing needles or "works" when shooting drugs or occupational needle stick injury. The risk of sexual transmission has not been thoroughly studied but appears to be low in long-term, monogamous relationships. There is no evidence that the hepatitis C virus can be transmitted by casual contact such as hugging or shaking hands, through foods, by sharing eating utensils or drinking glasses, or by coughing or sneezing. Hepatitis C is not spread by breastfeeding.

Answer 5

Hep C has the highest % of transmission even higher than HIV. You can get Hep C from using someone's razor. If they shave and cut themselves and you shave and cut yourself you have a high chance of contracting the disease. There is no cure for Hep C it is a very serious disease. If your family members are injured and the injury causes bleeding use gloves. Treat all body fluids as if they are contaminated. BE CAREFUL!! Unprotected sex is also one of the most common ways to pass the disease from person to person.

Answer 6

Hep C is transmitted via blood and other body fluids (semen, e.g.). So, don't share needles with your family, don't have sex with them, and be careful if you get cut and are bleeding. That's all you need to do to make sure they don't get infected (in other words, this should not be a problem!)

For more info about Hep C, see: http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/hepc_ez/#2

Answer 7

human beings can grow to be contaminated with the hepatitis C virus throughout such events as * Sharing needles, syringes, or different equipment to inject drugs * Needlestick injuries in healthcare settings * Being born to a mom who has hepatitis C much less oftentimes, a guy or woman may additionally get hepatitis C virus an infection by using * Sharing very own care products that could have are available in touch with yet another guy or woman’s blood, including razors or toothbrushes * Having sexual touch with a guy or woman contaminated with the hepatitis C virus

Answer 8

Care should be taken not to have unprotected sex with the patient. He should not share his personal items such as toothbrush and razor with others.
Please see the web pages for more details on Hepatitis C.

Answer 9

Generally speaking, hepatitis C is believed to be transferred primarily via the blood and possibly via sex. So if you are just referring to casual household contact, the answer is no.

The only other exception to the above is if you snort coccain and share inhalation devices.

Answer 10

hep c is contagious to anyone you have sex or share body fluids with.