How is hepatitis C most commonly transmitted?

How is hepatitis C most commonly transmitted?

• A. Acquired primarily through contaminated food.
• B. Direct contact with human blood or sexual contact (rare).
• C. Airborne transmission.
• D. Mosquito bites.

Answer: (B)

Hepatitis C is a bloodborne virus, so the main way it spreads is through exposure to infected blood. The most common transmission occurs when people share needles or other equipment for injecting drugs, or through accidental needlestick injuries in healthcare settings. Transfusions of blood products used to carry higher risk, but routine blood screening has greatly reduced that danger. Sexual transmission can happen, but it’s relatively uncommon. It’s not spread by eating contaminated food, by breathing the virus in the air, or by mosquito bites.

Hepatitis C is a bloodborne virus, so the main way it spreads is through exposure to infected blood. The most common transmission occurs when people share needles or other equipment for injecting drugs, or through accidental needlestick injuries in healthcare settings. Transfusions of blood products used to carry higher risk, but routine blood screening has greatly reduced that danger. Sexual transmission can happen, but it’s relatively uncommon. It’s not spread by eating contaminated food, by breathing the virus in the air, or by mosquito bites.