HCV transmission and reinfection

Most people catch HCV from blood-to blood contact. This is when blood containing HCV enters another person’s bloodstream. 

Semen, genital fluids and rectal mucus may be a risk but there is less research on this. 

Saliva and tears are not a risk. 

As with HIV, you cannot transmit or catch HCV by touching, kissing, hugging, or from sharing cutlery, cups or dishes.

Unlike HIV, which dies after a few minutes outside the body, HCV remains infectious for much longer. This can last for days to weeks, even after blood has dried. This is why you thing that might have traces of blood should not be shared.

HCV can be transmitted by:

• Sharing razors, toothbrushes, nail scissors and nail files.
• Injecting, smoking or snorting drugs with shared, unsterilised equipment.
• Tattooing or piercing when needles, ink, inkwells and other equipment are shared.
• Medical or dental procedures with unsterilised equipment, including kidney dialysis.
• Needlestick accidents to health workers.
• Sex with someone who has HCV – though this is a complex subject (see link).
• To a baby during pregnancy, labour or at birth (see link). 
• From a blood transfusion or blood products (for clotting factors), generally many years ago. Now that blood is screened, this risk is now virtually zero in the UK, Western Europe and the US. Up to 90% of people with haemophilia were infected with both HIV and HCV before 1985.
• In some countries, HCV infections still occur from reused medical equipment that wasn’t unsterilised. For example, during medical or dental procedures or unscreened blood transfusions.

Last updated: 1 November 2024.