Can hepatitis C be prevented?
Currently there is no vaccination to prevent hepatitis C. The best way to avoid hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is to avoid all unsafe injections or unsafe/unhygienic body piercing, tattooing or acupuncture. New cases in Europe have greatly decreased since the introduction of HCV testing for blood donors, virus inactivation procedures for blood products, and use of disposable needles and syringes for injections. Despite the reduced risk, and because it might be not the case in all European Union countries, it is still advisable to avoid injections where possible and use oral treatments instead when available, and especially when travelling. It is also recommended to avoid body piercing, tattooing or acupuncture, if you have any doubt about the safety/hygiene of this procedure.