Hepatitis Forums
Hepatitis C Prevention, Transmission and Testing => Am I Infected? => Topic started by: worried89 on November 17, 2014, 12:27:59 am
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Hello all.
I previously had a similar question answered but would like your thoughts on this...
As mentioned before, I am a law enforcement officer and while dealing with a definitely hep c positive male several nights ago I was hit by a speck of spit on the slightly inner side of my upper lip, as he was shouting towards me.
He was bleeding from a head wound however this was to the side of his head and I wasn't aware of any of his blood in his saliva, although I'm assuming there is a chance there was.
There were no clearly fresh wounds on my lips that I was aware of at the time.
Excuse my ignorance and anxiety but am I at risk of infection? If so, can you provide a rough estimation of how likely and is it worth while getting tested? I probably will do so for peace of mind.
Thanks in advance!
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Hi Worried89,
I think you're risk for contracting HCV is very, very low. HCV is spread by direct blood-to-blood or blood-to-membrane contact. Given the scenario you presented, I would say you have a minuscule chance of infection (note, minuscule is not zero).
As I understand it, there is mandatory testing for individuals who potentially expose law enforcement, EMTs and medical professionals to contractual diseases. In other words, the individual who spat on you can be legally mandated to be tested for HCV, HIV, TB et. el.
For your comfort, you can demand this be done. You may also want to be tested for the infection in 12-24 weeks for a greater piece of mind.
I hope this helps.
Best wishes, Mike
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Hello all.
I previously had a similar question answered but would like your thoughts on this...
As mentioned before, I am a law enforcement officer and while dealing with a definitely hep c positive male several nights ago I was hit by a speck of spit on the slightly inner side of my upper lip, as he was shouting towards me.
He was bleeding from a head wound however this was to the side of his head and I wasn't aware of any of his blood in his saliva, although I'm assuming there is a chance there was.
There were no clearly fresh wounds on my lips that I was aware of at the time.
Excuse my ignorance and anxiety but am I at risk of infection? If so, can you provide a rough estimation of how likely and is it worth while getting tested? I probably will do so for peace of mind.
Thanks in advance!
When I was employes by NC DHHS, if there was a breach of the BBP protocol then we had a ID blood draw after the event, three months and then at six months since that is the clinical time for someone to develop HIV antibodies.
Bucky