This booklet provides up-to-date information about hepatitis C and injecting drug use. It has been designed for professionals working
with injecting drug users (IDUs). Sharing any drug injecting equipment carries an extremely high risk of transmitting hepatitis C.
Hepatitis C is a virus (HCV) that can cause chronic liver disease that can lead to cirrhosis and liver cancer. Infection is primarily transmitted by blood to blood contact.
In the UK blood donations have been screened for the virus since September 1991 which means that the risk of infection via transfusions or from blood products is now minimal.
Patients on dialysis may risk infection from exposure to blood in renal units, although prevalence in the UK is extremely low.
Some patients may have been infected when receiving medical or dental treatment in the UK before 1991 or whilst overseas.
Patients who have received health care abroad in countries where medical equipment may be inadequately sterilised are at increased risk. This particularly applies to people born in developing countries, who may have been exposed to increased risk of infection.
In the UK, IDUs are the main risk group accounting for the vast majority of newly diagnosed infections. IDUs become infected by using other people’s contaminated injecting equipment. There may also be some risk from sharing equipment for preparing drugs such as filters, cookers and water.
There is no vaccination to prevent hepatitis C and infection remains long-term in approximately 75% of people.