Plasma donation

[Lemmonscandy6]

I went to donate plasma and while I wait waiting, a woman had to be rebandaged because her arm was dripping all over the floor. I’m not sure if I stepped in some of it before they realized (this is possible, we were in the bathroom together right before she realized she was bleeding a lot and I didn’t check because I had just been called back). Anyway, everything was going good until the end of my donation, when the nurse lady accidentally bumped the bottom of my shoes with her gloved hands before removing the needle and bandaging my puncture site with those same gloves. Is this a risk factor or am I worrying about nothing? Thank you for your help.

[Lynn K]

Hep c infected blood must enter your blood stream

Is this a risk factor?
No

or am I worrying about nothing?
Yes

[Lemmonscandy6]

And dealing with my needle site and removing the needle wouldn’t do that?

[Lynn K]

She was removing the needle you said so no, not a risk

There have been no known transmissions in the manner you have described.

Even in the case of a healthcare worker who should experience an accidental needlestick involving a patient with known hepatitis C the odds of transmission are only 1.8%.

You situation is obviously much less invasive than a needle stick with known hep c infected blood on the needle. You don’t even know if the other woman had hep c. Less than 4% of the population has hep c

Found some statistical information for you

“ Most experts estimate that over four million people in the U.S. have Hepatitis C.”

“ One in every 33 Baby Boomers is infected with Hepatitis C, and Baby Boomers make up two thirds of current Hepatitis C cases” so if she is younger than 55 she is not in the baby boom generation so statistically lower probability of having Hep c.

“ The Hepatitis C virus is transmitted through direct blood-to-blood contact.
People most at risk are those who:  have injected illegal drugs (even just once); had transfusions, organ transplants, or hemodialysis before 1992; received clotting factors before 1989; are healthcare workers with needle stick or related exposure.  Sexual practices that may involve injury, and even a trace amount of blood, can also transmit the virus.  Other exposures, such as household contact (e.g. sharing razors or toothbrushes), unsanitary body piercing or tattooing, or lax medical practices, are possible but much less common routes of transmission.”

Men are statistically more likely than females to be infected with hep c about 60% vs 40%

So it’s unlikely the woman has hep c

The way your are concerned about does not rise to the level of risk normally associated with risk of transmission.

I am not a medical professional just a patient who was infected with hep c for 37 years before I was successfully treated and cured. If you continue to have concerns you should discuss this with a medical professional like your own personal physician. Or wait at least 12 weeks post a concerning exposure and have the hep c antibody test then you will know.

However in my non-medical opinion you were not at any risk in this situation.

[Lynn K]

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

CDC HEP C FAQ for the general public

“ 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.”


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

CDC HEP C FAQ for health care professionals.