Prevention
No vaccination exists against hepatitis C, which makes it especially important to raise awareness among drug users for avoiding any contact with potentially infectious blood. Specifically, they should never share equipment such as syringes, needles, spoons, filters, water, straws, foil or mouthpieces of crack pipes.
Studies have shown that HCV can survive for several days or even weeks outside the body. All surfaces and objects where blood could be deposited (e.g. tables for preparing injections, tourniquets or shared disinfectant containers) must therefore be considered potential sources of infection. Proper hand hygiene and measures to prevent the spread of pathogens via objects are thus key preventive measures. In addition, drug users should be made aware of the need to strictly adhere to certain rules during drug use.