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.
