People with hepatitis C often worry about passing the virus on to loved ones unknowingly, especially if they’ve just been diagnosed. Contrary to popular belief, it takes a lot for someone to catch hepatitis C. For the record, you can only catch the virus through blood – not through coughing, sneezing, kissing, hugging, shaking hands, sharing eating utensils, etc. In other words, everyday contact is pretty risk-free; however, since hepatitis C is a virus that can be transmitted through blood, it’s important to follow the necessary precautions. Here are 10 tips from the American Liver Foundation to help protect yourself and others.
1. Never share razors, toothbrushes, nail clippers or filers (especially if you get manicures and pedicures) or anything else that might have your or someone else’s blood on it.
2. Always make sure that your open wounds, cuts and sores are completely covered.
3. Avoid donating blood, organs, tissue or sperm/semen.