There is no vaccine for Hepatitis C, therefore prevention of HCV infection depends upon reducing the risk of exposure to the virus in health-care settings and in higher risk populations, for example, people who inject drugs, and through sexual contact.
The following list provides a limited example of primary prevention interventions recommended by WHO:
- Hand hygiene: including surgical hand preparation, hand washing and use of gloves
- Safe handling and disposal of sharps and waste
- Provision of comprehensive harm-reduction services to people who inject drugs including sterile injecting equipment
- Testing of donated blood for Hepatitis B and C (as well as HIV and syphilis)
- Training of health personnel
- Promotion of correct and consistent use of condoms