Bad hygiene

[Aj1987]

Hey there

If a girl had been masturbating (sorry for the graphic content ) and didn’t wash her hands afterwards then went on to shake hands with people and touch things could the a way Hep b or c could be transmitted to others if they came in contact with the fluid with or without cuts on their hands

[Lynn K]

Hepatitis c is a blood borne virus. Blood infected with hepatitis c must enter the blood stream of an uninfected person through a fresh wet open wound. Hepatitis c is not considered to be an STD by the CDC. While there is a risk of sexual transmission the greatest risk of sexual transmission is for people with multiple sexual partners, those who engage in rough sexual practices where there is a risk of bleeding, or if the uninfected person has a compromised immune system for example infected with HIV.

Here is a link to frequently asked questions for the general public about hepatitis B and hepatitis C from the CDC

https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/hbv/bfaq.htm

“How is hepatitis B spread?
The hepatitis B virus is spread when blood, semen, or other body fluid infected with the hepatitis B virus enters the body of a person who is not infected. People can become infected with the virus from:

Birth (spread from an infected mother to her baby during birth)
Sex with an infected partner
Sharing needles, syringes, or drug preparation equipment
Sharing items such as toothbrushes, razors or medical equipment such as a glucose monitor with an infected person
Direct contact with the blood or open sores of an infected person
Exposure to blood from needlesticks or other sharp instruments of an infected person”

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

“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.”

[Aj1987]

Does the situation I described count as direct contact in the case of hep b ?

[Lynn K]

What did the CDC say about your question?

“How is hepatitis B spread?

The hepatitis B virus is spread when blood, semen, or other body fluid infected with the hepatitis B virus enters the body of a person who is not infected. People can become infected with the virus from:

Birth (spread from an infected mother to her baby during birth)
Sex with an infected partner
Sharing needles, syringes, or drug preparation equipment
Sharing items such as toothbrushes, razors or medical equipment such as a glucose monitor with an infected person
Direct contact with the blood or open sores of an infected person
Exposure to blood from needlesticks or other sharp instruments of an infected person”

Does the person in question have hepatitis B? Did any of the above occur? Did any body fluids from a person infected with hepatitis B enter the blood stream of an uninfected person through an open fresh wet wound?

If none of this occurred I believe you should be able to answer your own question.

Do you have anxiety issues? Have you seen a doctor for anxiety and are being treated? I suggest you discuse your fears with your counselor if you have one or consider getting treatment if you are not currently.

[andrew j]

For me - it's a matter of doing the best you can, given the vagaries of OCD - or OCD-like experiences.
Perhaps it is a matter of anxiety, as Lynn suggests?
A LOT of people suffer from anxiety - and in different ways.

I do understand how you can get into worrying about safety / sanitation /  cleanliness etc. all the time.
I got a life-threatening bacterial infection a few years ago - and it came on top of a raging Hep C infection.
I still engage in what are probably excessive cleaning rituals, two years after being cured of Hep C.
We do these things, don't we? - until we encounter information compelling enough to dispel our [irrational?] fears?
i.e. You will do what you do anyway - and given that your intention is good (to protect yourself, and others) - try to be as understanding of and compassionate towards yourself as you can be.
As Lynn said on one of your other threads - normal and healthy sanitation and cleaning practices are generally more than sufficient for what are in reality extremely remote risks.

Hoping that you are doing OK today.

Best wishes,

A.