Download spread of hepatitis c: it`s about the blood

SPREAD OF HEPATITIS C:
IT’S ABOUT THE BLOOD
HOW IS THE HEPATITIS C
VIRUS SPREAD?
RISKS OF INFECTION
Hepatitis C is spread when an infected person’s
blood enters the bloodstream of another person. 1
Worldwide, about 160 million people have chronic
hepatitis C 2 and approximately three to four million
people are infected with hepatitis C every year. 3
Since 80% of patients with hepatitis C experience
no symptoms following infection, 1 it is vital to
understand the risks of hepatitis C infection.
17.5 M
16M
14M
28.1M
83M
400K
As hepatitis C is a blood borne infection, risks for transmission are
associated with exposure to contaminated blood through:1
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Injection drug use
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Injections given with contaminated syringes
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Blood transfusions
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Blood products
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Organ transplants
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Needle-stick injuries in healthcare settings
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Unsterilized medical or tattoo equipment
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Sharing of personal care items (razors, toothbrushes etc)
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Being born to a hepatitis C-infected mother
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Through sex with a person who has hepatitis C
AVOIDING INFECTION
*Prevalence of chronic hepatitis C2
FACTS ON THE SPREAD OF HEPATITIS C
■■
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Hepatitis C is not spread by
sneezing, coughing, food or water,
sharing food and drinks with an
infected person, or through casual
contact such as hugging, shaking or
holding hands.1
Since 1992, blood transfusions,
other blood products and solid
organs for transplant have been
screened for the hepatitis C virus
in some parts of the world4 and
may now be considered safe in
those areas.
There is no vaccine for hepatitis C.
The risk of infection can be reduced
by avoiding: 1
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Unnecessary and unsafe injections
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Unsafe blood products
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Unsafe methods for sharps waste
collection and disposal
Use of illicit drugs and sharing of
injection equipment
Sharing of sharp personal items that may be contaminated
with infected blood
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Unsterilized equipment used for tattoos, piercings and acupuncture
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Unprotected sex with a hepatitis C-infected person
1. World Health Organization. Hepatitis C Fact Sheet 2014. http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs164/en/. Accessed April 2014.
2. Lavanchy D. Evolving Epidemiology of hepatitis C virus. Clin Microbiol Infect. 2011; 17(2):107-15.
3. World Gastroenterology Organisation. World Gastroenterology Organisation Global Guidelines: Diagnosis, Manage­ment and Prevention of Hepatitis C. April 2013.
http://www.worldgastroenterology.org/assets/export/userfiles/ WGO_Hepatitis%20C_Final%20Version.pdf. Accessed April 25, 2014.
4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Recommendations for the identification of Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Infection Among Persons Born During 1945-1965.
2012. http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/pdf/rr/rr6104.pdf. Accessed March 25, 2013.