Intravenous (IV) drug use, or injecting drugs in any way, is the leading single cause of the spread of HCV. To protect yourself, avoiding the use of used needles is the single best way to stop the spread of HCV.
Medical Use
If you use needles for medical care, always use sterile equipment and do not share needles for any reason.
Acupuncture, fillers, cosmetic injections and other therapeutic procedures can also be sources of HCV transmission. Make sure that any facility you use is licensed and that sterile needles are used for all bodywork.
There is a test that can identify the presence of HCV antibodies (immune-fighting proteins) in the saliva, but generally, HCV is not believed to be spread by saliva.
