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Needle

Hi can someone please tell me if someone is sharing needles does the needle actually have to get into the vein to infect someone with hep c or how does that work? Thank
You
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683231 tn?1467323017
Found this by googling does hep c virus exist in body fluids from an article in medical news today

“In almost all cases, hepatitis C is spread through contact with infected blood. Dried blood deposits may still carry the virus. Other bodily fluids, such as urine, sweat, or semen, do not carry a high enough level of the virus to pass on an infection”
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Thank you very much for all your help
683231 tn?1467323017
From the CDC FAQ for the general public about hepatitis C

“People can become infected with the hepatitis C virus during such activities as:

Sharing needles, syringes, or other equipment to prepare or inject drugs
Needlestick injuries in health care settings
Being born to a mother who has hepatitis C
Less commonly, a person can also get hepatitis C virus through

Sharing personal care items that may have come in contact with another person’s blood, such as razors or toothbrushes
Having sexual contact with a person infected with the hepatitis C virus
Getting a tattoo or body piercing in an unregulated setting”
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5 Comments
I understand that. What I’m
Trying to find is if for sharing needles does it have to get in a vein or can it just be a poke in the finger or hand or something
Never mind I just saw you answered that thank
You!!!
How does it happen via sex if it is blood  borne? Me and my project partner can’t find an answer. Does that mean blood has to be in the semen?
Sexual transmission between long term monogamous couples is not common the CDC does not recommend such people need to use barrier protection.

The risk is greatest for those who have multiple sex partners especially for those who engage in rough sexual practices and also more of a risk if one partner has HIV.

Blood has to enter the blood stream of an uninfected person. The most common method of transmission is the sharing of IV drug needles and those who received blood transfusions prior to 1990 when testing was developed for hepatitis c antibodies and the blood supply was secured.

Just to add this community is  primarily an online support group for patients who are or were infected with the hepatitis c virus. Patients dealing  with a new diagnosis understanding treatment or living with the aftermath of long term infection and possible liver disease. We are a community of patients there are no medical professionals here.

I had hep c for almost 40 years before I was cured 4 years ago with the new medicines that were beginning to be approved in 2014.
Hep c is not considered to be an STD by the CDC although there is a small risk depending on what I just outlined.
683231 tn?1467323017
If you are sharing needles with someone who has hep c you should be tested for hep c antibodies.

If you test positive for hep c antibodies a second follow up test that looks for the actual virus in your blood called the HCV RNA by PCR test should be done to see if you are currently infected with the hepatitis c virus.

Sharing needles is a risk, period
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3 Comments
Not me. This is for my school project. Needing to know why kind of needle it is and where it needs to hit for infection to occur
Try the CDC web site FAQ Hep C general public.

If getting a tattoo in an unlicensed (unclean) facility is a risk and a simple needle stick for a health care worker is a risk then no the needle does not need to enter a vein just the blood stream. So if there is broken skin with bleeding there is a risk
Hep c is a blood borne virus hepatitis c infected blood must enter the blood stream of an uninfected person
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