Am I at risk of having hepatitis C?
Yes, if you have ever used intravenous drugs and exchanged needles, or have had unsafe tattoos, body piercing or acupuncture, or have received a transfusion or received other blood products before the early 1990s. Since then, all blood products for transfusion or medical treatment in Europe are systematically screened for hepatitis C virus. You are at risk if you have received injectable treatments or have performed body piercing, tattooing or acupuncture in places without proper needle handling; this is common in countries or regions outside Europe with limited economic resources and during times of political or social upheaval.