Hepatitis C risk factors
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
The most important mode of HCV transmission is percutaneous blood exposure. Intravenous drug use is currently considered the most important risk factor for HCV infection. Populations at highest risk of HCV infection are those who have received blood and blood products, especially before 1992, and those who have received unsafe therapeutic injections.
Risk Factors
Percutaneous exposure to blood is the most important mode of HCV transmission. The following are the most important risk factors for HCV infection[1]:
- Injecting drug use is nowadays the most important risk factor
- Transfusion of blood and blood products, especially before 1992
- Unsafe therapeutic injections, especially in Hemophilia patients before 1987
Other less important risk factors are[1]:
- Hemodialysis
- Solid organ transplantation from infected donors
- Occupational exposure to blood, such as contaminated needle sticks
- Birth to infected mother in cases of detectable maternal HCV PCR at delivery
- Sexual intercourse with infected partner
- Sexual intercourse with multiple partners
- HIV infection
- Tattoo or piercing with infected needle sticks
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Alter MJ (2007). "Epidemiology of hepatitis C virus infection". World J Gastroenterol. 13 (17): 2436–41. PMID 17552026.