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Hepatitis B Main Forums => Hepatitis B => Topic started by: hep_sufferer on July 23, 2018, 11:52:31 am

Title: Hepa B transmission through contact with cuts and scratches
Post by: hep_sufferer on July 23, 2018, 11:52:31 am
I am new to this community, so please bear with me.

I have Hepatitis B and am worried that I may have accidentally transmitted the disease when I had my haircut today. A day prior to this, I shaved my beard, causing some cuts and scratches on my neck. Before cutting my hair, the barber wrapped a cape around my neck, covering the spot where I recently had some cuts, to prevent the cut hair from getting into my clothes. I did not see any blood while having the haircut, but when I got home I dabbed a napkin on my cuts and saw some traces of blood.

I am now worried that the piece of cloth that he used around my neck may have come in contact with some blood from my cuts. He also uses this cloth with his other clients.

What are the chances that I have transmitted Hepatitis B and what I can do about this situation.

Thank you and I am looking forward to your helpful responses.



Title: Re: Hepa B transmission through contact with cuts and scratches
Post by: Lynn K on July 23, 2018, 08:57:04 pm
https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/hbv/bfaq.htm

“The hepatitis B virus is spread when blood, semen, or other body fluid infected with the hepatitis B virus enters the body of a person who is not infected. People can become infected with the virus from:

Birth (spread from an infected mother to her baby during birth)
Sex with an infected partner
Sharing needles, syringes, or drug preparation equipment
Sharing items such as toothbrushes, razors or medical equipment such as a glucose monitor with an infected person
Direct contact with the blood or open sores of an infected person
Exposure to blood from needlesticks or other sharp instruments of an infected person
Hepatitis B virus is not spread through food or water, sharing eating utensils, breastfeeding, hugging, kissing, hand holding, coughing, or sneezing.”

Your blood would have to enter the blood stream of an uninfected person. Highly unlikely this would happen in the scenario described.

Title: Re: Hepa B transmission through contact with cuts and scratches
Post by: hep_sufferer on July 25, 2018, 11:24:03 pm

Thank you, Lynn K.

Do you reckon I should not worry about it?
Title: Re: Hepa B transmission through contact with cuts and scratches
Post by: Lynn K on July 26, 2018, 12:24:33 am
“Do you reckon I should not worry about it?”

As a lay person with no medical training I reckon you don't need to worry but for a more informed answer you should discuss your concerns with your doctor they should be able to guide you in how to best avoid accidently infecting others and what are precautions you should take.