Extreme anxiety over possible exposure!

[scaredtodeath]

Hi thank you in advance for your expertise. About two years ago i did one line of cocaine with 2 other people and a dollar bill was used to snort the drug. I did not notice any blood or mucous on the bill before i used it and it barely and i mean barely even entered my nose for about 2 to 3 seconds. I did not jam it up there where the mucosal membranes are located. my questions are these. would you be personally concerned over this incident? would you recommend testing in this instance? and wouldnt i have to have an open wound in my nose for transmission to even occur? i am starting a family and the paranoia is crippling thank you.

[Sergey]

Don't worry, just get tested for HCV and HBV. Some low risk of transmission of hepatitis virus exists. For many people, HCV will not bring big harm even without treatment. But it is important to be aware about HCV and HBV status.

[scaredtodeath]

I guess im just worried if this behavior is well known for causing hep transmission as theres so much conflicting info out there? Should i have extreme anxiety over this specific situation? Or can i confidently keep living my life without fear?

[Sergey]

No need for fear or extreme anxiety. But some little risk of transmission exists, such behaviour is known as a risk factor. Get tested, for example, anonymously - because it is important to be aware about hepatitis status.

In anyway, for majority of HCV-infected people with healthy lifestyle, HCV is relatively benign infection, even without treatment. For majority of infected people, it is not like HIV (HIV without treatment will almost inevitebly cause AIDS and death within 15 years).

P.S. This does not mean that HCV is harmless "at all", for minority of infected people HCV may cause very serious problems - like cirrhosis with complications.

[dragonslayer]

If as Lynn says even an inadvertent needle stick is only a very slight risk factor, I would think the behavior the op described is even a slighter risk factor.

[scaredtodeath]

Thanks for all the answers so far i am sort of a hypocondriac and worry incessantly about things like this. Google is not your friend in this circumstance. Im assuming testing is not required in this instance am i correct in this assumption? Id like to be able 2 move on from this issue!

[Sergey]

I guess, you need to get tested. Please read this - http://news.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/hi/health/newsid_8090000/8090969.stm

[dragonslayer]

It doesnt hurt to test for the antibodies, but if the noses and the bill in question were all dry as posited by op, then its a minuscule  chance  HCV was contracted.. Still why not test.. there's nothing to lose and piece of mind to gain.

[scaredtodeath]

Thank you for the reply sergey. I was under the assumption that i would need to have an open cut or wound in my nose for transmission to occur? Since thats the only time ive ever done it my nose is fully intact with no cuts or wounds.

[Sergey]

It may be possible that HCV or HBV may be transmitted through intact nasal mucosal membrane, without wounds.

[scaredtodeath]

I was also under the assumption that the mucosal membranes are inside the nose where you would feel mucous as if u were picking your nose? Its terrifying to think placing a dollar at the rim of your nostil can cause a bloodborne illness.

[dragonslayer]

I was also under the assumption that the mucosal membranes are inside the nose where you would feel mucous as if u were picking your nose? Its terrifying to think placing a dollar at the rim of your nostil can cause a bloodborne illness.

It probably can't.  There has to be a blood to blood transfer for HCV to infect.

[scaredtodeath]

Thank you dragon for your time and answers you have helped put my mind at ease. From all info gathered and looking at past posts it seems so remote a chance that id probably have a better chance walking outside and being hit by a meteor thank you once again!