Who's at Risk?

It's important to understand how hepatitis C is passed from person to person so you can protect yourself and help prevent the spread of the disease. The information below can help you decide whether or not you should be tested for the virus.

• Common risk factors
• You are also at risk at work if you have contact with someone else's blood on the job
• Other risks

Reasons to get tested:

It's important to get tested for hepatitis C if you have any of these risk factors:

• Are a “baby boomer” born during 1945 through 1965
• Had a blood transfusion or organ transplant before 1992
• Shared a needle to take drugs, even if it was just once, a long time ago
• Have tattoos or body piercings
• Had another person’s blood mix with yours
• Shared a cocaine straw

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You are also at risk at work if you have contact with someone else's blood on the job. For example, you may be:

• A healthcare or emergency worker
• Working in a lab that handles blood (needle stick)

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Other risks:

• Are currently or were previously on long-term kidney dialysis
• Had an abnormal liver function test
• Had surgery with unclean equipment
• Had a mother who had hepatitis C at the time of your birth
• Had acupuncture with unclean needles
• Are HIV-positive. (Ask your doctor about testing for hepatitis C if you have tested positive for HIV)

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