From the Guidelines
Hepatitis C is a bloodborne disease, primarily transmitted through direct contact with infected blood. It is most commonly spread through sharing needles or other equipment used to inject drugs, receiving blood transfusions or organ transplants before widespread screening was implemented, needlestick injuries in healthcare settings, or being born to a mother with hepatitis C 1. Less commonly, it can spread through sexual contact or sharing personal items that may have blood on them, such as razors or toothbrushes, as highlighted in the guidelines for management of hepatitis C 1. The hepatitis C virus (HCV) cannot survive long outside the body and is not spread through casual contact, food, water, or by sharing eating utensils. Understanding its bloodborne nature is crucial for prevention strategies, which include avoiding sharing needles or personal items that might have blood on them, practicing safe sex, and ensuring proper infection control procedures in healthcare settings, as recommended by the guidelines 1. Key prevention measures also include proper disinfection, cleaning, and management of materials and instruments in medical procedures and invasive procedures, such as tattooing, piercing, or acupuncture 1. If diagnosed, hepatitis C is now highly treatable with direct-acting antiviral medications that can cure the infection in 8-12 weeks for most people. It is essential for individuals at risk, such as those with a history of intravenous drug use, to be counseled to stop illicit drug abuse and be educated about routes of infection and tested regularly for HCV infection 1. Pregnant women with a risk factor for HCV infection or suspected HCV infection should undergo prenatal testing, but HCV infection does not restrict breast-feeding or recommend a specific delivery method like Cesarean section 1. Overall, recognizing hepatitis C as a bloodborne disease informs effective prevention and treatment strategies to reduce its transmission and improve patient outcomes.
From the Research
Hepatitis C Transmission
- Hepatitis C is a bloodborne disease, as indicated by several studies 2, 3.
- The global epidemic of HCV infection emerged in the second half of the 20th century, and several lines of evidence indicate that it was primarily triggered and fed iatrogenically by the increasing use of parenteral therapies and blood transfusion 2.
- In developed countries, the rapid improvement of healthcare conditions and the introduction of anti-HCV screening for blood donors have led to a sharp decrease in the incidence of iatrogenic hepatitis C 2.
Bloodborne Pathogen
- Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is the most common bloodborne pathogen in the United States, chronically affecting approximately 2.4 million Americans, most of whom are unaware of the infection 3.
- HCV is a leading cause of chronic blood-borne infection and chronic liver disease 2.