Hepatitis Forums

Hepatitis C Prevention, Transmission and Testing => Am I Infected? => Topic started by: Santana on October 14, 2016, 05:42:18 pm

Title: How long does the hep virus lives outside body?
Post by: Santana on October 14, 2016, 05:42:18 pm

Hi everyone. I accidentally pricked my finger with a pin 5 months later than someone who pricked himself with the same pin and possibly had hepb/hepc/hiv. Is 5 months enough to stay calm because any virus would be dead? Any help would be very much appreciated. Thank you

Title: Re: How long does the hep virus lives outside body?
Post by: Mike on October 14, 2016, 05:52:23 pm

The CDC reports that the virus can survive  3 weeks outside the body. See below link from the CDC for specifics:

http://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/hcv/cfaq.htm

Empirical studies report that, under certain circumstance, HCV can survive 6+ weeks. See below link:

http://www.aidsmap.com/Hepatitis-C-virus-dried-on-inanimate-surfaces-can-remain-infectious-for-up-to-six-weeks/page/2808006/

Best wishes, Mike

Title: Re: How long does the hep virus lives outside body?
Post by: Santana on October 14, 2016, 06:15:38 pm

Thank you Mike for your quick reply! Also thank you for the information provided.  Theoretically speaking about HEPB now, virus should live less than HEPC´s?
I´ll asume I can go on with my life!

Title: Re: How long does the hep virus lives outside body?
Post by: Mike on October 14, 2016, 06:45:30 pm

Hi Santana,

You should be fine. However, if you are really stressing out about this, follow up with your doctor, which should alleviate all concerns.

Best wishes, Mike

Title: Re: How long does the hep virus lives outside body?
Post by: 1952brad on October 19, 2016, 11:59:50 am

sorry to bother anyone with my stupidity, but how can I post?

Title: Re: How long does the hep virus lives outside body?
Post by: dragonslayer on October 19, 2016, 02:38:29 pm

Quote from: 1952brad on October 19, 2016, 11:59:50 am

sorry to bother anyone with my stupidity, but how can I post?

You just did!