Hepatitis C is a liver disease caused by the HCV virus. The route of transmission is through direct contact with the blood of someone already infected with the virus.
The most common cause of transmission is the promiscuous use of infected needles and syringes that, correctly, would be disposable. Other less common causes of transmission are:
- Sharing razors, toothbrushes or nail scissors with infected people;
- accidental contact with infected blood, a situation that mostly affects health care workers;
- The performance of tattoos and piercings with non-sterile materials;
- Practice unprotected anal sex with infected partners;
- engaging in sexual activity among people with high promiscuity (multiple partners): this increases the risk of contracting various types of STDs, mucosal lesions of which can be a risk factor for hepatitis C transmission. In fact, within stable monogamous couples, there is no indication for condom use.
