How long can hepatitis C live outside the body?

Medically reviewed by Sally Chao, MD. Last updated on Aug 22, 2024.

Official Answer by Drugs.com

Hepatitis C virus can live outside the body on surfaces for up to 6 weeks at room temperature. The long survival time of hepatitis C on surfaces is mainly a risk for people in medical settings and injection drug users who share needles or other drug material with an infected person. This virus is spread by contact with the blood of an infected person.

Since the 1970s, the most common way hepatitis virus has been spread is through injection drug use. Up to 90% of people who inject drugs and share needles or drug material with others have been exposed to hepatitis C.
Survival of hepatitis C virus on surfaces can also increase the length of infection risk in health care settings. This can happen if blood spills are not cleaned properly or if any materials that come in contact with blood, such as catheters or blood glucose monitors, are not properly disinfected or sterilized.
Survival outside the body could also be important for other ways that hepatitis C can be spread. This may include getting a tattoo or body piercing by someone who does not use sterile techniques and materials, or using a razor, nail clipper or toothbrush of a person who is infected with hepatitis C.

You cannot get infected from hepatitis C by drinking water or eating food.

Hepatitis C is a viral infection that causes liver damage. Untreated hepatitis can lead to liver failure or liver cancer.

References

HIV.gov. Scientists Discover Hepatitis C Virus Can Remain Infectious Outside of the Body for Up to 6 Weeks. January 2014. Available at: https://www.hiv.gov/blog/scientists-discover-hepatitis-c-virus-can-remain-infectious-outside-of-the-body-for-up-to-6-weeks. [Accessed August 12, 2021].
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). Hepatitis C. March 2020. Available at: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/liver-disease/viral-hepatitis/hepatitis-c. [Accessed August 10, 2021].
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Viral Hepatitis and Liver Disease. October 2018. Available at: https://www.hepatitis.va.gov/hcv/background/transmission-modes.asp#S1X. [Accessed August 11, 2021].

What is the difference between hepatitis B and C?

Some of the main differences between hepatitis B and C are:

Hepatitis B virus can be prevented with a vaccine, but not hepatitis C.
Hepatitis B and C are different viruses, but you can have both hepatitis B and hepatitis C at the same time.
Over 90% of people infected with hepatitis C who have not received treatment can be cured with 8 to 12 weeks of oral medications, but treatment for hepatitis B, if needed, may be long-term or lifelong.
There is no cure for hepatitis B, but once you recover from acute hepatitis B, you develop antibodies that protect you from the virus for life.

What are the new drugs for the treatment of hepatitis C?

The newest drugs for the treatment of hepatitis C include Mavyret (glecaprevir and pibrentasvir), Vosevi (sofosbuvir, velpatasvir, and voxilaprevir), and Epclusa (sofosbuvir and velpatasvir). All are FDA-approved for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 infection without cirrhosis or with compensated cirrhosis (Child-Pugh A), as well as other uses. In June 2025, Mavyret was approved for the treatment of acute HCV.

How much does Mavyret cost?

The cost of Mavyret for 84 tablets is $14,101 if you are paying cash using the Drugs.com online discount card, however, most people do not pay this amount. If you have commercial insurance, AbbVie offers a $5 per month Copay Savings Card for eligible patients.

How long can hepatitis C live outside the body?

Read next

What is the difference between hepatitis B and C?

What are the new drugs for the treatment of hepatitis C?

How much does Mavyret cost?

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