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Hepatitis B Main Forums => Hepatitis B => Topic started by: Cat567 on March 18, 2019, 06:04:39 pm

Title: Chances of getting HepB from manicure?
Post by: Cat567 on March 18, 2019, 06:04:39 pm
Hi, I recently went to Vietnam (6 weeks ago) and I've just found out from a friend who's a dentist that you can get HepB from manicures. On my last day in Vietnam I had a manicure and I have no idea whether the equipment was sterile.
My cuticles were cut during the manicure and I soaked my nails first in a plastic tray filled with water. I don't remember there being any obvious bleeding or getting nicked by anything. However 2 weeks before the manicure I had cut my finger (scraped the first layer of skin off), I think the cut had closed by the time I had the manicure but wondering if I can get HepB from the water tray? It's possible that the cut was too high up to be in the water and I'm usually quite careful about open wounds but just can't remember now.
What are the chances I could have caught HepB?

I'm a bit annoyed as I always get the recommended vaccinations and follow the travel advice but at no point was I told I shouldn't get a manicure in Vietnam due to the hepatitis risk and I was told I didn't need hepB vaccine if I had protected sex and didn't inject drugs.
Title: Re: Chances of getting HepB from manicure?
Post by: lporterrn on March 18, 2019, 07:28:54 pm
Hi,
First, are you sure that you haven't been immunized against hep B? Routine hep B immunizations have been happening for more than 20 years in the U.S (and some other countries), and perhaps you were already vaccinated?

That said, although your risk is low, it isn't zero. If you did contract hep B, you will likely have symptoms anytime soon, up to 4 months after exposure.

BTW, if you get manicures anywhere in the world, you can still get hep B, so if you aren't immune, consider getting the vaccine.

You can read more about hep B here: https://www.hepmag.com/basics/hepatitis-b-basics (https://www.hepmag.com/basics/hepatitis-b-basics)