How is hepatitis C spread? Through blood-to-blood contact (eg sharing needles or injecting equipment).

There is a low risk of an infected mother passing on hepatitis C to her baby during pregnancy and birth.

There is a risk of hepatitis C from unprotected sex involving blood or damage to the skin.

What are the symptoms of hepatitis C? Some people infected with hepatitis C have no symptoms at first, while others get a mild flu-like illness. Sometimes the urine becomes dark, and the whites of the eyes and skin turn yellow (jaundice).

Symptoms of long-term (chronic) hepatitis include:

• fever
• loss of appetite 
• nausea and vomiting
• tiredness and pain in joints
• some people develop liver cirrhosis (damage) or liver cancer later in life.

How do you get tested for hepatitis C? A blood test. 

What is the treatment for hepatitis C? Treatment is available and cures up to 8 out of every 10 people depending on the type of hepatitis C.

A healthy diet, enough sleep, and avoiding alcohol, tobacco and other drugs are also important.

How can you minimise the risk of contracting hepatitis C?

• never share needles, syringes or any other injecting equipment
• make sure injecting equipment is new and/or sterile
• never use contaminated tattooing and body piercing equipment
• never share personal items such as razors, toothbrushes or dental floss
• always use a condom and avoid sex with casual partners and/or decrease your number of sexual partners.

There is no vaccine to prevent hepatitis C.