Hepatitis C virus is a growing epidemic in the country for many decades. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 2.4 million Americans, which is one percent of the population, are living with hepatitis C during the years 2013 through to 2016. This contagious virus spreads via blood transfusion and sexual contact with an infected person. One of the most common prevalence of the virus has been among illegal medication users where they share needles and straws when injecting the medication.

Hepatitis C is difficult to diagnose as the symptoms vary with individuals. Only a medical test can potentially diagnose this virus for now. As there is no vaccine to prevent hepatitis C, the best way to stay off the disease is to understand the ways they spread and stay off them. Below are methods of prevention from the spread of the deadly disease.

Being cautious while using needles and syringes
The hepatitis C condition is growing among illegal medication users. Surveys point out the fact that they do not use sterile needles or straws when they inject or snort their medications. Illegal medicines already have a bad reputation for degrading the overall health of an individual. Once affected by the virus, it quickly affects the liver, thereby putting the affected at high risk of transmitting and receiving the HCV. Diabetics and patients with other conditions where they might have to use syringes or needles, regularly have to make sure that the equipment they use has sterile needles.

Being cautious while getting tattooed or body pierced
HCV spreads through contaminated blood. Unsterilized needles and equipment help transmit the virus. It is very important to check the reputation of the tattoo or body piercing parlor for their equipment and needles. Being vigilant about such nitty-gritty is crucial.

Have safe sex

Even though cutting edge dating apps recommend strangers as the right match, it is critical to know the person. Unprotected intercourse with an infected narcotics user can transmit the disease to a non-infected partner. As HCV does not have a definitive list of symptoms that one can use to verify the health of the partner, doctors suggest that it is better to get sexually intimate with a person with patience.

Avoiding alcohol
Long-term alcohol users face the risk of low immunity to viruses such as HCV. Alcohol affects the livers the most and can aggravate the damage that the virus causes. With an already existing HCV infection, the non-alcoholic patients recover with successful medication and treatment.

Screening tests
To ensure a peaceful state of mind, it is important to get a HCV screening test done before one transmits the disease unbeknown to his or her family. Hospitals and medical centers around the country conduct screening tests for people between 18 and 65 years.

Education and awareness
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention conducts free workshops and awareness programs around the nation to educate adults and youngsters about hepatitis C virus infection. Education is the first step towards prevention and living a healthy life. Spreading the right message can make our humanity disease-free species.