Hepatitis Forums

Hepatitis C Main Forums => On Hepatitis C Treatment => Topic started by: diannastarr on July 06, 2011, 09:31:36 am

Title: Is it a crime to spread Hep C?
Post by: diannastarr on July 06, 2011, 09:31:36 am

I started a thread on Hep B (http://forums.hepmag.com/index.php?topic=960.0) and now I'm finding stories about folks with Hep C also being charged with crimes related to spreading the disease through biting and spitting.

Whitby woman with hepatitis C charged after man bitten (Canada)
http://is.gd/mKUdI1

Court’s decision to lock up hepatitis C spit woman welcomed (England)
http://is.gd/TTsR8s

Has anyone heard of that happening in the US? What is the real chance of spreading Hep C through spit? Sounds a bit hysterical to me and really bad for those with any kind of hepatitis.

Title: Re: Is it a crime to spread Hep C?
Post by: farmgirl on July 07, 2011, 11:03:53 am

Saw this one today
"Woman with disease charged with assault"
http://www.phillyburbs.com/news/crime/woman-with-disease-charged-with-assault/article_6110f04c-6d48-5871-949e-1b492045608b.html

She is in Bucks County, PA in the good old USA.

Title: Re: Is it a crime to spread Hep C?
Post by: sophiedog on July 07, 2011, 01:16:34 pm

Bad headline.  She was charged with assault for spitting on a cop, not because she has hepc.  It's a slippery slope, I know, but at least it's noted in the article that hep c isn't transmitted via saliva. 

the real question should be to the newspaper, why did you put in the headline 'woman with disease' ??

Title: Re: Is it a crime to spread Hep C?
Post by: diannastarr on December 21, 2011, 09:22:27 am

Greensburg man charged with spitting on officer
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/westmoreland/s_773009.html

A Greensburg man with hepatitis C spat in the face of a city policeman while officers responded to a call about a man with a knife, according to police.

I'm not sure why its relevant that the man has hepatitis c? Why is it in the first sentence? You can't get it from spit.

Title: Re: Is it a crime to spread Hep C?
Post by: raytuned on January 19, 2012, 10:29:59 am

not entirely sure, but  i think it would be funny if a person used ignorance as a defense. after all they say 4 million are infected and  3 million dont know they have it. now heres the funny part-whom do you believe? wicked  this hep c in all facets. keep in mind you cant get it from spit, but if you have bleeding gums, the saliva will act as a conveyor. another scenario would be cut myself ,suck the blood and spit  to another persons open wound. 7 ways to Sunday- get it!!!!

Title: Re: Is it a crime to spread Hep C?
Post by: natalie23 on January 19, 2012, 04:06:39 pm

Quote

another scenario would be cut myself ,suck the blood and spit  to another persons open wound.

You would have to be very disturbed to do that and in that case it might be a good thing if the person was charged. Although not sure how you could prove intent there. More likely to end up in the mental ward.