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Hepatitis C

Pronounced: hep-uh-tye-tuss see
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Getting it

The hepatitis C virus can be passed on:

  • By sharing contaminated needles or other equipment for injecting drugs.
  • By using unsterilised equipment for tattooing, acupuncture or body piercing.
  • By unprotected penetrative sex (where the penis enters the vagina or anus) or sex which draws blood.
  • By unprotected oral sex (from mouth to the genitals or from the genitals to the mouth).
  • From an infected mother to her baby.
  • Through blood transfusion in a country where blood is not tested - all blood for transfusion in the UK is tested.

Where to get help

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