Changing razor blades during treatment: How often?

[elias]

Hi:

Been reading about long time survival of HCV outside the body on surfaces--for as long as 6 weeks.

So the question: How often should one change razors during treatment, when viral load are dropping, so as to avoid re-infection?

I use plastic double-edge razors. Would be costly to use new one each time. But I will  if its advisable

Thanks

[gnatcatcher]

Elias, there's another way to look at this. Given that a sizable percentage of people have a strong enough immune system to get rid of HCV without any treatment, the Epclusa you are taking is acting as a super-strong immune system.

I tossed the plastic stuff (razor and toothbrush) and sterilized the metal stuff (nail clipper, etc.) just once: right before the end of treatment, long after the four-week labs had returned a viral load of undetected. Fifty weeks after the end of treatment (my most recent labs), I was still undetected, so even though my immune system is weak and I do sometimes get blood on my razor, toothbrush, and nail clipper, that inexpensive approach worked.

Gnatty

[andrew j]

Elias,

I use single-blade disposables, and shave every 3 days.
When I was on treatment, I soaked whatever razor I was using in bleach for a while, or sometimes disinfectant.

My toothbrush - I only thought about it about half-way through the 12 week treatment (with a jolt of horror!) - and so gave it a sluice a couple of times.
(I figured that there wasn't any blood coming from my gums at the time) ...

Some people don't seem particularly concerned.
Don't know if I was being neurotic - but, you know, I was trying to maximise my chances.

Follow your instincts, I reckon.

I have been super-meticulous about sanitation / cleanliness etc., but I am noticing,
5 or 6 weeks post SVR12, that I am starting to relax a bit.

[elias]

Guess its simple enough just to soak razor in rubbing alcohol. Any idea how how I could find out how long it takes to sterilze that way?

[gnatcatcher]

This PDF includes info on sterilizing to avoid HCV transmission:
http://hcvadvocate.org/hepatitis/factsheets_pdf/personal_care.pdf
It says 10 minutes for the bleach/water solution and 10-20 minutes for a hospital-grade bactericide.

[elias]

Thanks

[JoeB]

On exposed surfaces where dessication can occur, like razors, you are looking at 16 hours to four days. Regular disposal of personal razors, with respect to any risk of self-reinfection during treatment is not mentioned by Tx teams or expert articles I've seen. Just because a pathogen is detectable after x days/months etc doesn't mean it's there in viable amounts to cause infection - this is the case with HCV. Aside from syringes, which have dead spaces to keep them moist and viable for a bit longer, the aforementioned maximum is four days.

I read an article sometime ago that referenced the study where this six week figure came from, that is oft repeated everywhere as gospel, said that these detectable figures were achieved by using virus population sample sizes in the lab that were many times larger than would be found in any real-life situation. That figure of six weeks or more was only of academic interest to see how long the researchers could keep the virus detectable for.

If I can find the article I'll put it up. I never fretted about re-infection... it was too remote and after a few weeks you should have nailed the vast majority of virii anyway which are only going to be put back into the same inhospitable environment, if they do, by some remote chance, of getting back into your blood stream.
 

[Lynn K]

I don't shave but only changed my toothbrush when it was normal time to do so. I did nothing different than normal during treatment. Still have the same clippers did not clean them.

[LightBeingAtLast]

I just change my razor when it being dull.  I don't shave every day so I figure it's safe after drying for a few days.  Pretty powerful meds you're on. It's easy enough to  every time  it causes you anxiety.

[BillT]

We all go through that Eilas.I went to the dollar store and bought toothbrushes and such there.

[elias]

yeah. one does get a bit obsessive. but better safe

[BillT]

Once you see the undetected you'll relax a bit,but you'll still be obsessive.