HCV and non-injecting drug use

HCV is more common among non-injecting drug users than the general population. It is not clear why. 

It may be possible to catch HCV from snorting drugs through shared straws or rolled bank notes, or from sharing pipes to smoke crack or methamphetamine. Sharing these items is therefore not recommended.

Recreational drug use is one of the main risk factors associated with sexual HCV transmission in gay men. This is because these drugs can affect biological, physical and behavioural risk factors.

• HCV transmission during sex between men
• Safer HCV sex for gay and bisexual men
• Chemsex
• PrEP (for HIV)

Last updated: 1 November 2024.