CDC
- PREVENTION
- Do not shoot drugs; if
you shoot drugs, stop and get into a treatment program;
if you can't stop, never share needles, syringes,
water, or "works", and get vaccinated against
hepatitis A & B.
- Do not share
personal care items that might have blood on them
(razors, toothbrushes).
- If you are a
health care or public safety worker, always follow
routine barrier precautions and safely handle needles
and other sharps; get vaccinated against hepatitis
B.
- Consider the
risks if you are thinking about getting a tattoo or
body piercing. You might get infected if the tools
have someone else's blood on them or if the artist
or piercer does not follow good health practices.
- HCV can be spread
by sex, but this is rare. If you are having sex with
more than one steady sex partner, use latex condoms*
correctly and every time to prevent the spread of
sexually transmitted diseases.
You should also get vaccinated against hepatitis B.
- If you are
HCV positive, do not donate blood, organs, or tissue.
