Infection

Infection with a hepatitis C virus usually occurs through blood contact. If infected blood – even small amounts, such as on an already used syringe – is brought into the bloodstream of a healthy person, an infection is quite likely. The risk of infection via blood products (e.g. in the course of a transfusion) or organ transplantation is extremely low due to the very good testing available today.

Although transmission via sexual contact and from mother to child is also possible, it often plays a minor role. Most infections occur in the drug scene or with tattooists and piercers. Hepatitis C virus is transmitted by blood, one speaks of a parenteral transmission route.Vulnerable groups of people are intravenous drug addicts who share the syringe set with other drug addicts.

Even if drug use is via the nose, one can become infected with hepatitis C if one shares the aspiration tube with others. Medical staff can become infected if they are injured by a needle-stick or cut, e.g. in the operating room. The risk is one to three percent if the patient in question has a hepatitis C infection.

In the past, many hepatitis C infections were passed on via blood transfusion. Especially patients with a congenital blood-clotting disorder (hemophilia) or other diseases requiring frequent transfusions therefore developed hepatitis C. Thanks to better testing of canned goods, the risk of contracting hepatitis C through a blood transfusion is now only 1 in 1 million. Hepatitis C can also be transmitted through sexual intercourse, but this is rare.

With unprotected anal intercourse, the risk of mucous membrane damage is higher and the risk of infection is increased compared to vaginal intercourse. Transmission of hepatitis C is also possible from a sick mother to her unborn child if the mother has a high viral load in her blood. In up to 45% of all cases, the cause of a hepatitis C infection cannot be determined.

When tattooing, dye is inserted into the second layer of skin with the help of a needle (tattoo machine). Here it can deposit permanently, so the tattoo remains visible. In this procedure, small blood vessels are injured, so the needle comes in contact with the blood of the tattooed person. If the tattoo artist works with poor hygienic standards, for example, if the instruments are insufficiently sterilized, the blood of one tattooed person can get under the skin of the next. A transmission of hepatitis C during tattooing is therefore possible, but only if the tattoo artist works under poor hygienic conditions and with non-sterile needles.