Hepatitis C (HCV) spreads through contact with infected blood. According to the provided reference, this can lead to both short-term (acute) and long-term (chronic) illness, and it can be life-threatening.
Transmission Routes
Here are the primary ways HCV is transmitted:
- Sharing Needles or Syringes: This is a major route of transmission, particularly among individuals who inject drugs.
- Unsafe Medical Procedures: This includes blood transfusions with unscreened blood products. Prior to widespread screening, this was a more significant risk.
It's important to note that HCV is not typically spread through casual contact, such as hugging, kissing, or sharing food or utensils. The virus needs to enter the bloodstream for transmission to occur.
