So ... how do ya catch hep C?

Hep C is transmitted by blood-to-blood contact.  People who were most likely exposed to hepatitis C are people exposed to:

•  the inoculation process by the government, if you're a   Vietnam-era Veteran (and we're told by Vets of subsequent wars that they too have been exposed, so we're lookin' into that --ed.);

•  used to do - or are doing - recreational drugs, and

  • sharing needles

  • or straws (less likely);

•  tattoos or piercings done in unsterile conditions,

•  unsterile hospital conditions, or equipment;

•  blood transfusions, and

•  tainted blood products.

So, let's look at these one by one.

Inoculation process by the government,
                               if you're a Vietnam-era Veteran

I've spoken with several hep C positive Vietnam-era Veterans who have shared that they got hep C by the inoculation process.  That basically, they were lined up and nurses walked down the line with these air guns, and gave 'em their shots.  Sure, there were no needles, but it was the plastic portion of the airguns: that sucked up tainted blood and spread the hep C virus. 

Needless to say, the government hasn't actually come out and admitted this, or - God forbid, apologized - but they did do a couple of things:

•  put out an RFP (aka, Request For Proposals for a bunch of gov't money) to VA's around the country to create Hepatitis C Resource Centers.  Four were granted - there's a link to these on our links page;

•  came out with a memo that reads,
        "Despite the lack of any scientific evidence to
           document transmission of HCV with airgun
           injectors, it is biologically plausible." 
  This line is tucked away in the last paragraph of this 2-page memo. 

  ... see for yourself by downloading the memo here.    

I highlighted the pertinent part for ease of reading.  ed.

Former (or whatever) use of recreational drugs

Needle Sharing

This one pretty much goes without saying: ya share needles, and ya share blood.  It just isn't like the bad ol' days. 

Sharing Straws

But straws?  ... Yep.  It's a real slim chance, but it exists nonetheless.  I guess if you were ever one of those folks who were up for days.  Ya know ... a guy's nose can get pretty raw.  Anyway ... you get the drift.

Tattoos or Piercings done in unsterile conditions

"But they used a clean needle! I saw em put it on myself!"

I don't care.  If ya watch the rest of the action, you'll notice all the blood beading up on your nubile skin art.  Well, that brand spankin' new needle that's going in & out, is suckin' in some of the blood.  So ... did they use a new ink cartridge?  ... and how does that work?

Fact: you can still safely get tattoos & piercings. 

Ya probably just wanna make sure the artist is hip to hep C, or a member of the Association of Professional Tattooists.  Being one who loves tattoos myself, and not wanting to talk completely out of my butt here, I asked J-man, a tattooist buddy of mine from Louisiana. 

Nowadays tattoo artists must go through a series of courses from the Red Cross, including one on blood-borne pathogens; namely hep C.    

These artists are certified by the Association of Professional Tattooists.  You can tell by their Certification hanging proudly next to their health department registration.  So ... if I was going to get a new tatt, and didn't see these things, I'd ask.  If they didn't have them ... well, you decide.

Working in the Medical Field

Unsterile Hospital conditions, or equipment

   (this section still in progress) 

Received blood transfusion or
                               blood products prior to 1992

Hep C was identified in 1990, and came to be known as the "C" strain (vs. "non-A, non-B").  Because the practice of medicine is just that: practice, the test to identify hep C wasn't considered fool-proof until 1992.  So, prior to that, hemophiliacs, and others receiving blood products could have received hep C-tainted blood.

Got Hep C? 

      Don't Know?   

                     So ...

Get Tested, Knucklehead!