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Author Topic: UV sanitizing of toothbrushs  (Read 13992 times)

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Offline Sam1224

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  • Posts: 62
UV sanitizing of toothbrushs
« on: March 09, 2015, 07:24:37 pm »
Does this actually work for the hep C virus? Anyone?

Offline Mike

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  • Posts: 999
Re: UV sanitizing of toothbrushs
« Reply #1 on: March 09, 2015, 07:53:33 pm »
"...the benefits of UV sterilization (disinfection is a more accurate term) for toothbrushes are not currently supported by research, and most likely won't be since any tangible benefits will be hard to measure.

The only sure fire way I know to get a highly disinfected toothbrush is to soak it overnight (or at least an hour) in bleach."

Best wishes, Mike
Genotype 1a
Treated 2001 with PEG and RIBV
Treated in 2014 SOL+PEG+RIBV
Cured July 2014

Offline Sam1224

  • Member
  • Posts: 62
Re: UV sanitizing of toothbrushs
« Reply #2 on: March 09, 2015, 11:22:43 pm »
Does Gilead recommend extraordinary cleaning or switching out of toothbrushes? I also question the likelihood of re-infecting oneself with Harvoni coursing through the blood stream. I could certainly see switching them out at end of treatment. Somebody enlighten me please.

Offline KimInTheForest

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  • Believe in yourself
Re: UV sanitizing of toothbrushs
« Reply #3 on: March 09, 2015, 11:34:18 pm »
Somewhere else on these forums I recall someone posting that they took Gilead's course or workshop before starting Harvoni tx and were instructed by Gilead to throw away toothbrushes, razors, and other disposable personal toiletry items on a weekly basis during tx - I thought from week 4 onward. I have seen other people here saying they disposed of their toothbrush daily during and post-tx (for a while) to avoid possible re-infection. Apparently you can buy a package of 144 individually wrapped toothbrushes on amazon for $10, and some people are doing that. I can see the logic in it. Say the Harvoni eradicates the virus by week 4 but you keep re-infecting yourself throughout your course of treatment by re-using your toothbrush and razor… Better for Harvoni to eradicate it unequivocally without you re-introducing it to your body.

I plan to dispose of toothbrush and razor at least weekly from week 4 of tx onward when my time comes… Will be curious to see what others have to say on this, and what others have been doing…

Kim
Kim Goldberg (Nanaimo, BC)
1970s: Contracted HCV (genotype 3a)
2015: Cured with Harvoni + ribavirin (12 weeks)
MY STORY: https://pigsquash.wordpress.com/2016/01/28/undetectable-my-hep-c-story/

Offline davidsconfused

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  • Posts: 53
Re: UV sanitizing of toothbrushs
« Reply #4 on: March 10, 2015, 12:14:36 am »
Somewhere else on these forums I recall someone posting that they took Gilead's course or workshop before starting Harvoni tx and were instructed by Gilead to throw away toothbrushes, razors, and other disposable personal toiletry items on a weekly basis during tx - I thought from week 4 onward. I have seen other people here saying they disposed of their toothbrush daily during and post-tx (for a while) to avoid possible re-infection. Apparently you can buy a package of 144 individually wrapped toothbrushes on amazon for $10, and some people are doing that. I can see the logic in it. Say the Harvoni eradicates the virus by week 4 but you keep re-infecting yourself throughout your course of treatment by re-using your toothbrush and razor… Better for Harvoni to eradicate it unequivocally without you re-introducing it to your body.

I plan to dispose of toothbrush and razor at least weekly from week 4 of tx onward when my time comes… Will be curious to see what others have to say on this, and what others have been doing…

Kim

The toothbrushes were $11.99 when I bought them and I got good razor blades for less than 11 cents a piece for a hundred. I may be overly paranoid but I only spent less than $23 and I don't have to worry about it.

Offline KimInTheForest

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  • Believe in yourself
Re: UV sanitizing of toothbrushs
« Reply #5 on: March 10, 2015, 12:34:26 am »
Hi David. Were those bulk toothbrushes on amazon soft-bristled by any chance? Most super cheap toothbrushes are not. Stiffer bristles = bleeding gums… Been wondering about this for my own plans. Thanks :)

Kim
Kim Goldberg (Nanaimo, BC)
1970s: Contracted HCV (genotype 3a)
2015: Cured with Harvoni + ribavirin (12 weeks)
MY STORY: https://pigsquash.wordpress.com/2016/01/28/undetectable-my-hep-c-story/

Offline sapphire101

  • Member
  • Posts: 238
  • "Stop worrying and start living"
Re: UV sanitizing of toothbrushs
« Reply #6 on: March 10, 2015, 01:01:42 am »
Can anyone track down the Gilead workshop information? We are all interested and someone must know where it lives.
Sapphire101
Genotype 1a Fibrosis level 1
Viekira Pak with ribavirin 12 weeks
Pre treatment  VL  1.7 million, AST 45 ALT 65
EOT VL not detected, AST 21 ALT 21
12 week SVR not detected,24 week SVR not detected.
Cured! Class of 2015

Offline Lynn K

  • Global Moderator
  • Member
  • Posts: 4,546
  • Get tested, get treated, get cured, fight Hep c!
Re: UV sanitizing of toothbrushs
« Reply #7 on: March 10, 2015, 03:10:04 am »
I have only ever been officially directed to avoid antacid if possible during treatment. No discussion about tooth brushes, grapefruit, milk. I have a to  of tooth brushes my dentist gives them to me at my 3 cleaning appointments a year so I have finally found a use for my drawerful of them. But my doctors office has not said anything about these ideas we discuss here.

Best to all
Genotype 1a
1978 contracted, 1990 Dx
1995 Intron A failed
2001 Interferon Riba null response
2003 Pegintron Riba trial med null response
2008 F4 Cirrhosis Bx
2014 12 week Sov/Oly relapse
10/14 fibroscan 27 PLT 96
2014 24 weeks Harvoni 15 weeks Riba
5/4/15 EOT not detected, ALT 21, AST 20
4 week post not detected, ALT 26, AST 28
12 week post NOT DETECTED (07/27/15)
ALT 29, AST 27 PLT 92
24 week post NOT DETECTED! (10/19/15)
44 weeks (3/11/16)  fibroscan 33, PLT 111, HCV NOT DETECTED!
I AM FREE!

Offline charly8

  • Member
  • Posts: 113
Re: UV sanitizing of toothbrushs
« Reply #8 on: March 10, 2015, 08:46:51 am »
I have a sonicare toothbrush.  I usually just put the head in boiling water for about 30 minutes every week.  I am sure this kills the virus.
1a, VL  1.05 Mil, ALT 47
Fibrosure F3 December 2014
Fibroscan F0-F1 March 2015
1995 INT & RYB -non-responder
2007 PEGIN & RYB 72 weeks tx - partial responder relapsed
1/23/15 Started Harvoni 12 weeks, EOT 4/17
2 week blood work -  <15 Und. (ALT 25)
4 week blood work - <15 Und. (ALT 29)
2/20/15 added RYB (4 weeks into 12 of tx)
8 week blood work - <15 Und. (ALT 23)
(EOT) 12 week blood work - <15 Und.
4wk POST tx VL - Und. (ALT16, AST 17)

Offline Bituman

  • Member
  • Posts: 157
Re: UV sanitizing of toothbrushs
« Reply #9 on: March 10, 2015, 01:30:26 pm »
I have only ever been officially directed to avoid antacid if possible during treatment. No discussion about tooth brushes, grapefruit, milk. I have a to  of tooth brushes my dentist gives them to me at my 3 cleaning appointments a year so I have finally found a use for my drawerful of them. But my doctors office has not said anything about these ideas we discuss here.

Best to all

As a consequence of similar discussions on this forum, I specifically asked my doctor's PA about more frequent swapping of toothbrushes, razors, etc.  FWIW, she told me such remedial measures were not necessary.   I almost got the impression that she thought I was being a little anal about things.  Yet I am now swapping these out weekly.  Can't hurt, right? 

Bob
Age = 59, male, infected likely 1975
DX 07/07 GT 1a
Biopsy 2007:  GR 1, stage 0, HAI = 2/18
Since 2007:  1.48 MM < VL < 11 MM, avg = 5.64 MM
IL28B=CT
1/26/15, AST=43, ALT=55, VL=3.59 MM
2/5 Start Harvoni 12 weeks; Treat naive
2/20 AST=29, ALT=24, VL=59
3/6 AST=29, ALT=25, VL<15
3/19 AST=24, ALT=22, VL=undet
4/3 AST=29, ALT=25, VL=undet
4/30 EOT, AST=22, ALT=20, VL=undet
5/29 EOT+4, AST=20, ALT=19, VL=undet SVR
7/24 EOT+12, AST=23, ALT=18, VL=undet SVR
10/16 EOT+24, AST=22, ALT=17, VL=undet SVR

Offline Mike

  • Member
  • Posts: 999
Re: UV sanitizing of toothbrushs
« Reply #10 on: March 10, 2015, 01:39:49 pm »
It's very easy for a PA, who doesn't have HCV, doesn't have any health concerns associated with an HCV infection, to act smug about a topic like this.

I'm sure, however, her opinion might change should she acquire an infection and be in the process of clearing it.

Although the chance of reinfection might be very rare, it's still a chance.

Best wishes, Mike
Genotype 1a
Treated 2001 with PEG and RIBV
Treated in 2014 SOL+PEG+RIBV
Cured July 2014

Offline kate0b1

  • Member
  • Posts: 293
Re: UV sanitizing of toothbrushs
« Reply #11 on: March 10, 2015, 06:12:27 pm »
@bob, even if it does not help your dentist will be happy with you  ;)

PS got a new razor and toothbrush after my 4 week labs

kate

Offline Sam1224

  • Member
  • Posts: 62
Re: UV sanitizing of toothbrushs
« Reply #12 on: March 11, 2015, 02:29:05 pm »
FWIW I did change out my toothbrush and razor. Again.

Offline davidsconfused

  • Member
  • Posts: 53
Re: UV sanitizing of toothbrushs
« Reply #13 on: March 11, 2015, 08:43:12 pm »
Hi David. Were those bulk toothbrushes on amazon soft-bristled by any chance? Most super cheap toothbrushes are not. Stiffer bristles = bleeding gums… Been wondering about this for my own plans. Thanks :)

Kim

Sorry it took so long to get back to you. Actually, they're not bad, better than I would have thought. The bristles are medium at the firmest. I have delicate gums that bleed easily and these don't bother me.

Offline KimInTheForest

  • Member
  • Posts: 1,972
  • Believe in yourself
Re: UV sanitizing of toothbrushs
« Reply #14 on: March 11, 2015, 08:51:32 pm »
Sorry it took so long to get back to you. Actually, they're not bad, better than I would have thought. The bristles are medium at the firmest. I have delicate gums that bleed easily and these don't bother me.

thanks for the info, David :)
Kim Goldberg (Nanaimo, BC)
1970s: Contracted HCV (genotype 3a)
2015: Cured with Harvoni + ribavirin (12 weeks)
MY STORY: https://pigsquash.wordpress.com/2016/01/28/undetectable-my-hep-c-story/

 


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