On this page…
What is Hepatitis C?
Hepatitis C is a liver infection that is spread when blood, semen or other bodily fluids from a person infected with the virus enters the body of someone who is not infected. The virus is carried in the bloodstream to the liver, it can then affect and damage your liver.
Some people clear the infection naturally. Some people with persistent infection remain free of symptoms, although others have symptoms. Persistent infection can lead to ‘scarring’ of the liver (cirrhosis) and may lead to liver cancer. Treatment can clear the infection in majority of cases.
How is Hepatitis C spread?
It is spread by contact with infected blood and bodily fluids entering the bloodstream through broken skin or mucous membranes (eyes, mouth and nose), for example through a bite that breaks the skin or if the skin is pierced by a contaminated object.
The virus can also be passed on via tattooing or from medical and dental treatment if equipment is not adequately cleaned and sterilised.
It may also be spread by a pregnant mother with Hepatitis C passing the virus on to her child, through unprotected sex or from sharing needles and other injecting equipment, razors, toothbrushes, or any other article contaminated with blood, semen or vaginal secretions when giving birth.
How do you prevent it?
- Always practice safer sex (using a condom), especially if you change partners regularly. The risk of passing hepatitis C during sex is small but risk is reduced further by using condoms.
- Do not share injecting equipment, toothbrushes or razors.
- Always go to reputable places for tattooing, ear-piercing and electrolysis, and always ask for a new and unused needle.
- There is currently no vaccine available to protect against Hepatitis C.
What should I do if I think I am at risk?
See your GP, especially if you inject drugs and share injecting equipment or have had unprotected sex. There is a simple blood test that can diagnose Hepatitis C - remember you may have no obvious symptoms.
Treatment
Treatment for Hepatitis C has improved drastically, it is tablet based medication with very few side effects.
Treatment length will vary depending on which drug you receive. Your nurse or doctor will inform you of the drug or drug combination and the length of treatment you require.
Our patients matter
Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust listens and responds to patients and their carers to help improve the services we deliver.
If you have any comments, compliments or concerns you can speak with a member of staff or contact our Patient Advice and LiaisonService (PALS) and Complaints Team.
Telephone: 0151 471 2377 Freephone: 0800 328 2941 Email: palsandcomplaints
Alternative Formats
You can use the accessibility toolbar at the bottom of your screen to change the text size and colour contrast on this page.
There is a “translate” button in the Accessibility toolbar, at the bottom of this page, however, this tool is automated and may not be accurate.
Speak to a member of staff if you wish to request this page in Braille or have any other questions about accessibility.
You can use the “print this page” icon at the bottom of the page to save or print a PDF copy of this leaflet.
Approval date: 22 October 2025
Review date: 19 October 2026
Version number: 1
Contact Us
Infection Prevention and Control TeamEmail: Infection
You can also send feedback to our team via the QR code below.
For more information about our Infection, Prevention and Control team please look at their specialist webpage.