Friend just diagnosed with Hep C/we share drugs! PLEASE HELP!

[doodlebug]

So my friend recently was told she has Hep C. She doesn't know how long she's had it due to never being tested. We have shared the same notes/keys to sniff drugs, shared with other people, but I don't think theres ever been blood left from her nose unless it has been mine. I have had nose bleeds before and then sniffed using the same note but with the opposite nostril. Stupid I know but you don't think of these things.

Will I be infected? If there has been no blood-on-blood contact from her side. I am going to get tested tomorrow. Please help a worried girl out! I've been having anxiety attacks over this since I've found out 

[Lynn K]

There can be a risk sharing any drug paraphernalia including snorting equipment although the risk is much less than sharing IV needles.

Has your friend only had the hep c antibody test or the test to confirm current infection the HCV TNA by PCR test that looks for the presence of the virus itself? If they have not had the HCV RNA test it is possible they may not be actively infected and are not infectious.

But in any event hep c today is much more readily treated than just a few years ago. Current treatments can be as simple as 8 weeks of one pill a day with little to no side effects for most patients. Current cure rates with these new generation treatments are in the 98% and higher range.

However, the best way to avoid infection with hep c or any blood born infection is to avoid risky activities.

Best of luck to you

[doodlebug]

She had an STD test which came back as positive for Hep C - Yet had another blood test to confirm how long she has had it but has to wait two weeks to find out. This has scared me as we have been sharing equipment for nearly two years, along with other friends.

I would not use notes or straws if I could see visable blood from her or anyone else but I'm extremely worried that there is a high risk. Can you catch Hep C from snot on snorting equipment?

[Lynn K]

The test she is having is to confirm if she is currently infected. About 25% of people are able to beat the virus on their own. They will test positive for hep c antibodies for the rest of their life but will test not detected with in the HCV RNA test.

There is no way to know how long someone has been infected. The best you could do is if you remember a specific risk like a blood transfusion or a time when using IV drugs and sharing equipment. If you don’t recall a specific risk you will never know exactly when you contracted hep c.

Per the CDC there is arisk from sharing snorting equipment. The risk is if blood from an infected person should enter the blood stream of an uninfected person. Snorting drugs weakens the delicate nasal lining making it easier for even a small amount of blood to enter the blood stream.

As I said the risk is less than sharing IV drug equipment but there is a known risk.

Get tested and if needed get treated and get cured. 

[Lynn K]

From the CDC

https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/hcv/hcvfaq.htm

“Is cocaine use associated with HCV transmission?

There are limited epidemiologic data to suggest an additional risk from non-injection (snorted or smoked) cocaine use, but this risk is difficult to differentiate from associated injection drug use and sex with HCV-infected partners.”

[doodlebug]

Thank you for replying.

How long does it take to show up on a test if you've recently contracted it? Does there have to be visible blood on a note or can you catch this from the tiniest amount that is not even visible? I thought it was very difficult to catch something this way by snorting.

All I can hope for is my test comes back negative and never touch that stuff again.

[Lynn K]

How long does it take to show up on a test if you've recently contracted it?
Antibodies take time to be created by your body in enough quantities to be detectable but cane be detected as soon as 12 weeks post exposure. If the person has a compromised immune system like if the person is infected with HIV it can take longer for the body to create antibodies so in this situation it can take up to 6 months.

The hep c virus itself can be detected sooner after infection with the HCV RNA by PCR test not sure off hand but maybe a week. Normally the HCV RNA test is performed to confirm a positive antibody test.

If you have been snorting for a period of time you could have been infected at any time prior to this recent incident.


Does there have to be visible blood on a note or can you catch this from the tiniest amount that is not even visible?

There does not have to be visible blood.

 I thought it was very difficult to catch something this way by snorting.

It is not as easily transmitted by sharing snorting equipment but per the US CDC the risk is not zero there is some risk.

Get tested then you will know.

If you don’t want to be at risk of contracting blood borne viruses you should avoid risky behavior. If you participate in risky behavior you accept the associated risks of your behavior. 

[doodlebug]

Tests all came back negative. Learnt my lesson never to share snorting equipment again with others so I'm not at risk.

[Lynn K]

Congrats on the good news!

Still would like to encourage you to consider quitting drug use. Other than the risks of transmitting illness there are health risks from drug abuse like overdose and addiction.

My suggestion is chose life not drugs but anyway best of luck to you and be safe.