Worried about the transmission of hepatitis C ?
The Facts
Hepatitis C is nearly 10 times more transmissible by a shared needle than HIV
When you share contaminated syringes or equipment HCV can be transmitted the - first time - or - only time - you use.
In the United States, every year 15,000 people are newly infected with hepatitis C through sharing syringes and contaminated injection equipment.
You Can Get HCV If You.........
Share, or reuse equipment and syringes
Examples
Filters
Reusing filters can spread Hep C and also cause health problems such as cotton fever.
Tourniquets - Ties
Straws
Spoons
Acidifiers
Cookers
Reusing HCV contaminated cookers could lead to infection even if using sterile syringes
Water cups
If a person draws up water with a used syringe both the water and the cup have been contaminated
Swabs
Used to clean skin before injecting
Pads
To stop bleeding after needle withdrawal
Re-capping a needle may lead to an accidental needle-stick and HCV
I Don't See Any Blood
The amount of blood needed to pass on HCV is small and blood does not have to be visible for it to be infectious. Microscopic amounts of blood could be on the surface where the drugs and equipment are set up or on any one of the pieces of equipment. Used equipment can also cause more abscesses than new sterile equipment.
Crack Pipes
Smoking drugs can lead to open sores, burns or cuts on the lips and in the mouth, which can transfer blood to a pipe. If the pipe is shared, even a speck of blood carrying hepatitis C can transmit the virus. Sharing includes borrowing, lending, passing on, buying, selling, reusing, receiving or taking any equipment that was used by someone else. Some people do not identify risk with the word “sharing” or when reusing involves a close sexual partner (like a boyfriend or girlfriend). Risk exists, even under these circumstances.
Read More Here
Did You Know ?
The hepatitis C virus can be stable for several weeks in syringes
HCV can live in dried blood for up to five days.
*Because the hepatitis C virus can live on surfaces for many days, wash both the work surface and hands with soap and water, and dispose of any newsprint or paper that was used during injection.
The STATS
If you take ten people who just started using, after one year half will have HCV
After five years, ninety percent will have HCV - or - nine out of ten people.
Using for one year = 50% chance of contracting HCV
Using for five years = 90% chance of contracting HCV
Get Tested
Hepatitis C Testing Facilities by State
The HCCAP HCV Testing Sites map lists only facilities offering free or low cost hepatitis C screening services for those with limited resources due to lack of health insurance, lack of coverage for such testing, and/or limited financial resources.
Click HereHome Test
Click here to order a FREE Home Access Hepatitis C Test Kit
How Soon Should I Get Tested After Exposure ?
After the exposure (especially if the blood exposure involved another person known to have the hepatitis C virus), it is recommended that testing for the hepatitis C antibody be performed at 4 to 6 months after the exposure OR that testing for the hepatitis C virus itself (a test often called an HCV PCR or hepatitis C viral load test) be performed 4 to 6 weeks after the potential exposure. These tests are done to determine whether or not hepatitis C infection has occurred as a result of the exposure.;
The Facts On HCV
- Of persons infected with hepatitis C
- 85% will remain infected for life; of those:
- 60 - 70% will develop chronic liver disease
- 10 – 20% will develop cirrhosis (scarring of the liver)
- 1 – 5% will develop liver cancer
- 85% will remain infected for life; of those:
- Liver failure from chronic hepatitis C is one of the most common reasons for liver transplants.
- In 2005, about 6,500 liver transplants were performed in the U.S.
- The number of liver transplants performed per year has been increasing steadily for more than 15 years.
- Chronic liver disease is the tenth leading cause of death among adults in the U.S., causing approximately 25,000 deaths annually.
- 40% of deaths from chronic liver disease can be attributed to hepatitis C.
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention predicts that deaths due to hepatitis C will double or triple in the next 15 to 20 years.
You can get Hep C more than once. You are not immune, even if you got rid of the virus before. You can get vaccinated for hepatitis A and B but there’s no vaccine for Hep C.
What Can You Do ?
Find a needle exchange program
For Canadian Resources, Click Here.
For Mexican Resources, Click Here.
What If ?
Cleaning Syringes with Bleach
Stop Using
Treatments are available to help deal with the powerful hold addiction has over your mind, body and soul.
Combining addiction treatment medications with therapy can ensure success and lead to recovery and a life without drug abuse.
Where To Find Help
Hotline
1-800-303-2482
Narcotics Anonymous
818-773-9999
Provides information about NA and worldwide referrals to local meetings.
8 am - 5pm PST, M-F.
Teens
Hotlines and Helplines
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