Here is a web site where I got most of my information from:
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/hepatitis/c/

Hepatitis C is found all around the world and is transmitted from human to human. It is spread between humans by the "parenteral" route. The word parenteral means "other than by mouth or respiratory system." Therefore, use of contaminated needles such as among recreational drug users, transmission by contaminated blood or secretions through open wounds, tattooing with inadequately disinfected tattoo needles.

Hepatitis C is a serious disease that injures the liver, elevate the "liver enzymes" in the blood, and cause jaundice. Hepatitis C persists in the cells and reappears periodically to cause recurrent liver damage and scarring with often tragic long term effects including cirrhosis and liver cancer.