Transmission of Hepatitis C Virus -- Route, Dose, and Titer

Abstract

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a blood-borne virus that generally circulates in low titers in infected serum. Epidemiologic studies show that the most efficient transmission of HCV is through the transfusion of blood or blood products or the transplantation of organs from infected donors and through the sharing of contaminated needles among injection-drug users¹. However, less than half of patients with acute hepatitis C report a history of such exposure. A small number of epidemiologic studies demonstrate that perinatal, sexual, household, and occupational transmission occurs, but our understanding of the risks of transmission in these settings has been limited . . .