Hepatitis C virus, ways of transmission that yo have to avoid?
Hepatitis C, is an infectious disease caused by the Hepatitis C virus. The virus attacks mainly the liver. After infection , some patients may not show any symptom , while others may show symptoms called Acute Hepatitis C. The acute stage may progress to chronic state in 15 to 20% of infected persons, and may eventually lead to cirrhosis, liver failure, or liver cancer.
Because of the severity and high fatality of Hepatitis C infection, we must try our best to avoid exposure to infection, so we have to learn how virus C is transmitted.
Methods of transmission of Hepatitis C virus
The good news is that the virus does not spread easily, like many other viruses, (cold, flu and other viruses). Hepatitis C virus is transmitted through direct contact with blood or body fluids of infected persons. Blood transfusion from an infected patient to a healthy person, can transmit infection. But, nowadays, accurate tests are performed before any blood donation or blood products, as a result, blood is no longer a common method of Hepatitis C virus transmission.
The most important ways of transmission
The following are the most common ways for Hepatitis C virus spread, which everyone should avoid to minimize the chance of infection.
Sharing needles between addicts
Sharing syringes and needles between addicts is one of the main ways transmitting Hepatitis C infection.Drug users by injection, using the same syringe and needle, can be infected if one of them is infected. More than 60% of new hepatitis C cases occur this way, according to the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report. Thus, drug users by injection, are among the most vulnerable groups to virus C infection.
Infected mother to fetus
The pregnant woman, if she was infected, can transmit the virus to her fetus. Out of every 100 infected mothers, 4 newborns are infected with the infection. As for infection through breast milk, it has not been proven yet to be a method of transmission of infection with C virus.
Contaminated needles and medical equipment
Infection through needles or “sharp tools” is an important way for transmitting the hepatitis C virus to medical and health workers, therefore, they are among the most vulnerable groups. All medical staff and health workers should follow the proper protective protocols to stay safe from infection.
Sharing personal items
Sharing personal items, (sharp objects such as nail clippers, razors, and toothbrushes) is a common method of infection with the virus C. So, it is advised not to share personal sharp items and tools with a Hepatitis C patient
Infection through sexual contact
Hepatitis C virus is not easily transmitted through sexual contact. Research indicates that transmission through sexual contact is possible, but in a very few. So, virus C differs from AIDS and hepatitis B , being not commonly transmitted by sexual contact. However, homosexuality is still a a dangerous way of spreading the virus, among men who have sex with men, especially those with HIV infection.
Ways not known to transmit virus C
The virus is not transmitted by daily contact with infected people, also it is not transmitted by sneezing or coughing. It is not transmitted through sharing utensils or drinking cups, and not transmitted through food, water, or any physical contact such as hugging or kissing. In this respect, it differs from HBA virus.
Sources:
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/hepatitis-c
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6668288/
https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2016/p0504-hepc-mortality.html
https://www.healthline.com/health/hepatitis-c/facts-statistics-infographic
