Hepatitis C: risk factors

In Scotland, following the introduction of heat treatment of blood factor in 1986, and the screening of blood donors in 1991, persons have not been at risk of acquiring the hepatitis C virus (HCV) through the receipt of blood/blood factor. In resource-rich countries, HCV is mainly transmitted among people who inject drugs and share injecting equipment, though occasionally, infection is spread through sexual intercourse or from mother to child during pregnancy or at the time of birth. HCV is relatively rarely acquired through the use of un-sterile sharp equipment in healthcare and non-healthcare (e.g. tattoo parlour) settings. In resource-poor countries, HCV is mainly transmitted through the receipt of infected blood/blood products and through the re-use of un-sterile needles and syringes for healthcare purposes.