Persons at low to medium risk include persons who have multiple sexual partners, sexual partners of people with hepatitis C and children born to women with hepatitis C. TOP OF PAGE Aetiology and epidemiology Hepatitis C is caused by an RNA flavivirus.
Transmission is predominantly by percutaneous contact with infected blood or blood products.
Sexual transmission occurs at a low frequency. Incubation is 4 to 20 weeks, commonly 6 to 9 weeks. HCV Ab test is usually positive within 3 months of exposure, but can take up to six months. It is notifiable throughout Australia. During recent years there have been about 20,000 notifications per year.