A virus with an RNA genome is responsible for causing Hepatitis C in the body. The disease is transferred from one body to another through blood contact.

According to a recent estimation about 90% of the total populations of the developed countries of the world are suffering from Hepatitis C which is transferred through different ways. However, the main means through which this disease is found to spread in the developed countries is through the use of unsterilized needles and infusion of infected blood without proper screening.

A person can be exposed to the Hepatitis C virus through different activities and practices which are known to be potential sources responsible for the spread of the disease. You should get yourself checked for Hepatitis C in the following cases:

• Use of injection drugs: People who use injection drugs or have used them in the past are at a high risk of getting infected with Hepatitis C virus due to sharing of infected needles.

• Nasal inhalation of drugs: Some researchers suggest that inhaling drugs, such as cocaine and crystal methamphetamine, using infected straws can lead to transmission of Hepatitis C Virus.

• Blood Products: Blood transfusion, blood products and organ transplantation without proper screening for infection is also one of the risk factors for spreading of hepatitis C. However, the cases of spreading of the disease through this method are decreasing.

• Infected medical equipments: Hepatitis C virus can spread from one person to another through the use of medical equipments such as needles, syringes, hemodialysis equipment, oral hygiene instruments, jet air guns, etc., which are contaminated with infected blood and are not properly and adequately sterilized. However, use of the latest sterilization techniques and use of disposable equipments have reduced the risk factor of getting infected through medical equipments to a great extent.

• Accidental Exposure to infected blood: People in professions like army, can get infected by HCV due to accidental exposure to infected blood through needles, open wounds etc. Taking precautions to protect against accidental exposures can reduce the risk of being infected.

• Sexual exposure to infected blood: Transmission of HCV through sexual exposure is very rare. But sexual exposure cannot be ruled out as a method of transmission of HCV.

• Tattoos and body piercing: If proper sterilizing techniques are not used, equipments used for piercing and tattooing can transmit HCV from one person to another.

• Sharing items of personal use: Sharing items of personal use which can be contaminated with infected blood, like razors, scissors etc., can lead to exposure and spread of HCV.

Casual physical contacts like hugging, kissing, using the same utensils etc. does not lead to spread of HCV

In certain studies which were conducted, it was found that, patients with hepatitis C have a reduced level of glutathione in their bodies. It was also found that glutathione levels were significantly low in their liver. Due to low levels of glutathione in the body, the immune system of the patients weaken and in a way become responsible for the further development of the disease.

In researches it was found that glutathione, the body's master antioxidant, detoxifier and immune booster, can help patients suffering from hepatitis C if a good level of glutathione is present in their bodies.

Studies also show that higher levels of glutathione will help the patient to achieve a much higher quality of like overall.