(HealthDay News) -- Almost four million Americans have hepatitis C, a liver disease caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV). HCV is spread by sexual contact with an infected person or more often, by direct contact with that person's blood.
The New York State Department of Health offers these preventive measures:
- Do not shoot drugs. If you do, stop and get into a treatment program. If you can't stop, never share needles, syringes, water or "works," and get vaccinated against hepatitis.
- Do not share personal care items that might have blood on them (for example, razors and toothbrushes).
- If you are a health-care or public safety worker, always follow routine precautions and safely handle needles and other sharps; get vaccinated against hepatitis.
- Consider the risks if you are thinking about getting a tattoo or body piercing. You might get infected if the artist's tools have someone else's blood on them.
- HCV can be spread by sex. If you are having sex with more than one steady sex partner, use latex condoms correctly and every time to prevent the spread of sexually transmitted diseases.
- If you are infected with HCV, do not donate blood, organs or tissue.
