Risks of hepatitis C

Learn about the risks of hepatitis C and who is most at risk.

On this page

• What are the risks of being infected with hepatitis C?
• What are the risks to travellers?

What are the risks of getting hepatitis C?

You are at risk for hepatitis C if you:

• share contaminated drug paraphernalia, such as:
  • pipes
  • straws
  • spoons
  • needles
  • cookers
• receive body services that use unclean tools or work practices, such as:
  • tattooing
  • acupuncture
  • body piercing
• share personal care items with someone with the disease, such as:
  • razors
  • scissors
  • nail clippers
  • toothbrushes
• have unprotected sex involving blood contact with someone who has hepatitis C
  • unprotected sex refers to sex without using a condom or other barrier safely
  • those with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are particularly at risk

Who is most at risk?

Your risk is higher if you:

• were born to a mother with hepatitis C
• are exposed to blood or blood products in regions where:
  • hepatitis C is widespread
  • disease control measures are not in place
• were born or live in a region where hepatitis C is widespread, such as:
  • Eastern Europe
  • Sub-Saharan Africa
  • Central, East and South Asia
  • North Africa and the Middle East
  • Oceania, which includes Australia and some islands in the Central and South Pacific Ocean
• received blood, blood products or an organ transplant in Canada before 1992
  • all blood and blood products used in Canada are now tested for hepatitis C, so this is now extremely rare
• have a job where you can be accidentally:
  • poked by a needle or syringe used by someone with hepatitis C
  • exposed to infected bodily fluids, such as semen or vaginal fluid