Blood contains the highest concentrations of the virus, so medical procedures involving blood, like blood transfusions, can transmit the virus; however, this is rare in the US. Getting a tattoo or a piercing can also transmit the virus if the needles are not properly cleaned; this is also very rare. Sharing needles for intravenous drugs will transmit the virus. Since breast milk also contains the virus, a mother can pass the virus to a nursing baby. She can also transmit the virus during pregnancy or during birth. Medications are available to lessen the chances of this kind of transmission happening