Hepatitis Forums
Hepatitis C Prevention, Transmission and Testing => Am I Infected? => Topic started by: WorryWart on October 16, 2019, 10:16:50 am
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Hi,
Hi,
I'm probably being over paranoid, I am a bit of a worrier. A couple of days ago, I put my sanitary towel in a sanitary bin but it got stuck, so it took a few attempts of pushing it down to get it in (opening and closing the lid). I didn't put my hand inside but I'm not sure if I touched the plastic at all or if my towel touched any others in the the bin. I washed my hands after.
I had a broken nail that I had just pulled off, didn't notice bleeding but there could have been, a catheter in the hand (but I imagine this was taped up), quite a deep wound but not bleeding or weeping and a peeling cuticle, again no blood.
I am worried that I have caught Hep b or c in this way, is this possible?
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https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/hcv/cfaq.htm
“ Transmission / Exposure
How is hepatitis C spread?
Hepatitis C is usually spread when blood from a person infected with the hepatitis C virus enters the body of someone who is not infected. Today, most people become infected with the hepatitis C virus by sharing needles or other equipment to prepare or inject drugs. Before 1992, hepatitis C was also commonly spread through blood transfusions and organ transplants. After that, widespread screening of the blood supply in the United States virtually eliminated this source of infection.
People can become infected with the hepatitis C virus during such activities as:
Sharing needles, syringes, or other equipment to prepare or inject drugs
Needlestick injuries in health care settings
Being born to a mother who has hepatitis C
Less commonly, a person can also get hepatitis C virus through
Sharing personal care items that may have come in contact with another person’s blood, such as razors or toothbrushes
Having sexual contact with a person infected with the hepatitis C virus
Getting a tattoo or body piercing in an unregulated setting
Hepatitis C virus is not spread by sharing eating utensils, breastfeeding, hugging, kissing, holding hands, coughing, or sneezing. It is also not spread through food or water.”
Because hep c is a blood borne virus Hep c infected blood bust enter the blood stream of an uninfected person. This would require an open fresh wet weeping wound
“ I am worried that I have caught Hep b or c in this way, is this possible?”
No
I am not a medical professional just a patient who was infected with hep c for many years. As such I cannot offer any medical advice. If you have additional questions see your personal physician. If you continue to have concerns wait 12 weeks post any concerning exposure and have the hepatitis C antibody test then you will know.
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Thank you for your quick response. So if any blood touched where the nail was pulled off, I should be ok (dry or otherwise)? Would Hep B be the same as Hep C in terms of how to get infected?
I have children and worried if I have been infected, I'm going to pass it onto them...
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Not a risk hep b is also blood borne
https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/hbv/bfaq.htm