• Hepatitis A

• Hepatitis B

• transmission

• symptoms

• high-risk groups

• prevention

How do you get it?

Hepatitis C is spread by contact with the blood of an infected person.  It is not spread by casual contact. Those infected with it will carry it the rest of their lives. They will probably have liver damage, but will not feel sick from the disease. Some people with it may develop cirrhosis (scarring) of the liver and liver failure, which may take years to develop.

Who is at risk for it?

• People who use street drugs

• People who were treated for clotting problems with a blood product made before 1987

• People who received a blood transfusion or organ transplant before 1992

• People who were ever on long-term kidney dialysis

• People who have unprotected sex with an infected person

What are the symptoms?

• Your eyes and skin may turn yellow and your urine may turn dark

• You may be tired

• You may lose your appetite

• You may have nausea, vomiting, fever, or stomach ache

How do you prevent it?

• Don’t even shoot drugs

• Don’t share toothbrushes, razors or other personal care items in case they have blood on them.

• Healthcare workers should follow proper needle safety precautions

• Consider the health risks if you get a tattoo or body piercing

• Avoid unsafe sex

• There is NO vaccine to prevent hepatitis C

Get more information about hepatitis from  www.cdc.gov/hepatitis