In short the answer is no!

Many people have acquired hepatitis C through sharing injecting equipment with a person who has hepatitis C. This may have been a one off event and does not mean the person is a current injecting drug user. Some people may have contracted hepatitis C through medical procedures prior to 1990 where blood products were administered. Blood products after 1990 are considered safe.

Getting a tattoo or body piercing with unsterile equipment is another way people may have acquired hep C. For example - If a person with hepatitis C has received a tattoo and then another person is given a tattoo with the same equipment, there is a risk of transmitting the virus. Particularly if the equipment has not been professionally sterilised. Given that some people may not be aware they have hep C it is always best not to share any equipment. (including needles, syringes tourniquets, swabs etc.)

Some people actually do not know how they contracted hepatitis C. 

So... don't make assumptions about how someone acquired hepatitis C. It is a private matter and anyway....is this really important. 

Last updated on January 27, 2010 by webmaster