Welcome, Guest. Please login or register.
October 14, 2024, 08:34:07 am

Login with username, password and session length


Members
Stats
  • Total Posts: 55133
  • Total Topics: 4851
  • Online Today: 233
  • Online Ever: 3061
  • (September 25, 2024, 11:40:40 pm)
Users Online
Users: 0
Guests: 165
Total: 165

Welcome

Welcome to the Hep Forums, a round-the-clock discussion area for people who have Fatty Liver Disease, Hepatitis B, C or a co-infection, their friends and family and others with questions about hepatitis and liver health. Check in frequently to read what others have to say, post your comments, and hopefully learn more about how you can reach your own health goals.

Privacy Warning: Please realize that these forums are open to all, and are fully searchable via Google and other search engines. If this concerns you, then do not use a username or avatar that are self-identifying in any way. We do not allow the deletion of anything you post in these forums, so think before you post.
  • The information shared in these forums, by moderators and members, is designed to complement, not replace, the relationship between an individual and his/her own physician.
  • All members of these forums are, by default, not considered to be licensed medical providers. If otherwise, users must clearly define themselves as such.
  • Product advertisement (including links); banners; and clinical trial, study or survey participation—is strictly prohibited by forums members unless permission has been secured from the Hep Forum Moderators.
Finished Reading This? You can collapse this or any other box on this page by clicking the symbol in each box.

Author Topic: Changing razor blades during treatment: How often?  (Read 10201 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline elias

  • Member
  • Posts: 285
Changing razor blades during treatment: How often?
« on: October 25, 2016, 09:55:23 pm »
Hi:

Been reading about long time survival of HCV outside the body on surfaces--for as long as 6 weeks.

So the question: How often should one change razors during treatment, when viral load are dropping, so as to avoid re-infection?

I use plastic double-edge razors. Would be costly to use new one each time. But I will  if its advisable

Thanks
« Last Edit: October 25, 2016, 10:09:33 pm by elias »
Contracted HCV ~age 12
Diagnosed: September 2016 GT2b
F3 by Fibrosure: 0.66
Necroinflammat activity: A3 0.76
================
VL Sep. 12, 2016: 1.44 million/ Log: 6.157
AST:71/ ALT:114   Sept. 1, 2016 Before treatment
==================
4 week after beginning  Epclusa:
Viral Load: UNDETECTED
AST 17/ALT 11
===============
Began Epclusa:  October 22, 2016
End of Treatment [EOT]: January 13. 2017
====================
EOT+4 Weeks: UNDETECTED
====================
SVR 12 April14-HCV Not Detected

Offline gnatcatcher

  • Member
  • Posts: 1,372
Re: Changing razor blades during treatment: How often?
« Reply #1 on: October 26, 2016, 02:16:15 am »
Elias, there's another way to look at this. Given that a sizable percentage of people have a strong enough immune system to get rid of HCV without any treatment, the Epclusa you are taking is acting as a super-strong immune system.

I tossed the plastic stuff (razor and toothbrush) and sterilized the metal stuff (nail clipper, etc.) just once: right before the end of treatment, long after the four-week labs had returned a viral load of undetected. Fifty weeks after the end of treatment (my most recent labs), I was still undetected, so even though my immune system is weak and I do sometimes get blood on my razor, toothbrush, and nail clipper, that inexpensive approach worked.

Gnatty
9/29/71 transfusions
HCV genotype 1a
7/09/15-9/30/15 Harvoni

Before treatment:
Viral Load 9,490,582
FibroScan 19.5 kPa [F4]
ALT 262
AST 217
ALP 183

Most recent:
VL still UNDETECTED (SVR 102)
FibroScan 7.6 kPa [F1-2]
ALT 15
AST 20
ALP 85

Offline andrew j

  • Member
  • Posts: 477
Re: Changing razor blades during treatment: How often?
« Reply #2 on: October 26, 2016, 06:09:16 pm »
Elias,

I use single-blade disposables, and shave every 3 days.
When I was on treatment, I soaked whatever razor I was using in bleach for a while, or sometimes disinfectant.

My toothbrush - I only thought about it about half-way through the 12 week treatment (with a jolt of horror!) - and so gave it a sluice a couple of times.
(I figured that there wasn't any blood coming from my gums at the time) ...

Some people don't seem particularly concerned.
Don't know if I was being neurotic - but, you know, I was trying to maximise my chances.

Follow your instincts, I reckon.

I have been super-meticulous about sanitation / cleanliness etc., but I am noticing,
5 or 6 weeks post SVR12, that I am starting to relax a bit.

« Last Edit: October 26, 2016, 09:44:25 pm by andrew j »

Offline elias

  • Member
  • Posts: 285
Re: Changing razor blades during treatment: How often?
« Reply #3 on: October 26, 2016, 06:25:09 pm »
Guess its simple enough just to soak razor in rubbing alcohol. Any idea how how I could find out how long it takes to sterilze that way?
Contracted HCV ~age 12
Diagnosed: September 2016 GT2b
F3 by Fibrosure: 0.66
Necroinflammat activity: A3 0.76
================
VL Sep. 12, 2016: 1.44 million/ Log: 6.157
AST:71/ ALT:114   Sept. 1, 2016 Before treatment
==================
4 week after beginning  Epclusa:
Viral Load: UNDETECTED
AST 17/ALT 11
===============
Began Epclusa:  October 22, 2016
End of Treatment [EOT]: January 13. 2017
====================
EOT+4 Weeks: UNDETECTED
====================
SVR 12 April14-HCV Not Detected

Offline gnatcatcher

  • Member
  • Posts: 1,372
Re: Changing razor blades during treatment: How often?
« Reply #4 on: October 26, 2016, 07:20:35 pm »
This PDF includes info on sterilizing to avoid HCV transmission:
http://hcvadvocate.org/hepatitis/factsheets_pdf/personal_care.pdf
It says 10 minutes for the bleach/water solution and 10-20 minutes for a hospital-grade bactericide.
9/29/71 transfusions
HCV genotype 1a
7/09/15-9/30/15 Harvoni

Before treatment:
Viral Load 9,490,582
FibroScan 19.5 kPa [F4]
ALT 262
AST 217
ALP 183

Most recent:
VL still UNDETECTED (SVR 102)
FibroScan 7.6 kPa [F1-2]
ALT 15
AST 20
ALP 85

Offline elias

  • Member
  • Posts: 285
Re: Changing razor blades during treatment: How often?
« Reply #5 on: October 26, 2016, 07:26:02 pm »
Thanks
Contracted HCV ~age 12
Diagnosed: September 2016 GT2b
F3 by Fibrosure: 0.66
Necroinflammat activity: A3 0.76
================
VL Sep. 12, 2016: 1.44 million/ Log: 6.157
AST:71/ ALT:114   Sept. 1, 2016 Before treatment
==================
4 week after beginning  Epclusa:
Viral Load: UNDETECTED
AST 17/ALT 11
===============
Began Epclusa:  October 22, 2016
End of Treatment [EOT]: January 13. 2017
====================
EOT+4 Weeks: UNDETECTED
====================
SVR 12 April14-HCV Not Detected

Offline JoeB

  • Member
  • Posts: 10
Re: Changing razor blades during treatment: How often?
« Reply #6 on: October 26, 2016, 10:08:57 pm »
On exposed surfaces where dessication can occur, like razors, you are looking at 16 hours to four days. Regular disposal of personal razors, with respect to any risk of self-reinfection during treatment is not mentioned by Tx teams or expert articles I've seen. Just because a pathogen is detectable after x days/months etc doesn't mean it's there in viable amounts to cause infection - this is the case with HCV. Aside from syringes, which have dead spaces to keep them moist and viable for a bit longer, the aforementioned maximum is four days.

I read an article sometime ago that referenced the study where this six week figure came from, that is oft repeated everywhere as gospel, said that these detectable figures were achieved by using virus population sample sizes in the lab that were many times larger than would be found in any real-life situation. That figure of six weeks or more was only of academic interest to see how long the researchers could keep the virus detectable for.

If I can find the article I'll put it up. I never fretted about re-infection... it was too remote and after a few weeks you should have nailed the vast majority of virii anyway which are only going to be put back into the same inhospitable environment, if they do, by some remote chance, of getting back into your blood stream.
 
Infected for 33 years with Geno 3
Fibroscan 2015 - 6.2
July '15 - Dec '15 Inf/Riba
June '16  SVR

Offline Lynn K

  • Global Moderator
  • Member
  • Posts: 4,546
  • Get tested, get treated, get cured, fight Hep c!
Re: Changing razor blades during treatment: How often?
« Reply #7 on: October 27, 2016, 02:37:08 am »
I don't shave but only changed my toothbrush when it was normal time to do so. I did nothing different than normal during treatment. Still have the same clippers did not clean them.
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 LightBeingAtLast

  • Member
  • Posts: 31
Re: Changing razor blades during treatment: How often?
« Reply #8 on: October 27, 2016, 12:31:23 pm »
I just change my razor when it being dull.  I don't shave every day so I figure it's safe after drying for a few days.  Pretty powerful meds you're on. It's easy enough to  every time  it causes you anxiety.
64 yo female
Dx Oct 20, 2000
Type 1b
VL 32 mil
Liver biopsy 1979 nonspecific reactive hepatitis
Liver biopsy 2001 stage 1 of 4
Liver biopsy 2007 stage 2
Fibrosure 2015  stage 2
2016 August liver scan stage 4
9/3/16  began Harvoni. Treatment naive.

Offline BillT

  • Member
  • Posts: 573
Re: Changing razor blades during treatment: How often?
« Reply #9 on: October 28, 2016, 07:42:45 pm »
We all go through that Eilas.I went to the dollar store and bought toothbrushes and such there.
Contracted 1973 Military
Diagnosed 1980
Pegintron treatment 2004 unsucessful
Genotype 1b
FibroScan 10 (F2)
Start Viekira 10.17.2015

AST 40 ALT 69
VL 440k
10.31.2015/Week 2 Labs : AST 14/ALT 17
No VL done
10.14.2015/Week 4 labs : AST 14/ALT 14
VL UNDETECTED!!!
12.11.2015/Week 8 Labs : AST 12/ALT 13
No VL done
01.05.2016/EOT labs : AST 15/ALT 13
VL UNDETECTED!!!

12 WEEK SRV:UN-BLOODY DETECTABLE !!!!!!!!

24 WEEK SVR:UNDETECTABLE!!!! Thank You God.

Fibroscan 6Mo. Post Treatment 7.15.2016-5.3(F1)

Offline elias

  • Member
  • Posts: 285
Re: Changing razor blades during treatment: How often?
« Reply #10 on: October 28, 2016, 07:59:16 pm »
yeah. one does get a bit obsessive. but better safe
Contracted HCV ~age 12
Diagnosed: September 2016 GT2b
F3 by Fibrosure: 0.66
Necroinflammat activity: A3 0.76
================
VL Sep. 12, 2016: 1.44 million/ Log: 6.157
AST:71/ ALT:114   Sept. 1, 2016 Before treatment
==================
4 week after beginning  Epclusa:
Viral Load: UNDETECTED
AST 17/ALT 11
===============
Began Epclusa:  October 22, 2016
End of Treatment [EOT]: January 13. 2017
====================
EOT+4 Weeks: UNDETECTED
====================
SVR 12 April14-HCV Not Detected

Offline BillT

  • Member
  • Posts: 573
Re: Changing razor blades during treatment: How often?
« Reply #11 on: October 31, 2016, 10:10:53 am »
Once you see the undetected you'll relax a bit,but you'll still be obsessive. :)
Contracted 1973 Military
Diagnosed 1980
Pegintron treatment 2004 unsucessful
Genotype 1b
FibroScan 10 (F2)
Start Viekira 10.17.2015

AST 40 ALT 69
VL 440k
10.31.2015/Week 2 Labs : AST 14/ALT 17
No VL done
10.14.2015/Week 4 labs : AST 14/ALT 14
VL UNDETECTED!!!
12.11.2015/Week 8 Labs : AST 12/ALT 13
No VL done
01.05.2016/EOT labs : AST 15/ALT 13
VL UNDETECTED!!!

12 WEEK SRV:UN-BLOODY DETECTABLE !!!!!!!!

24 WEEK SVR:UNDETECTABLE!!!! Thank You God.

Fibroscan 6Mo. Post Treatment 7.15.2016-5.3(F1)

 


© 2024 Smart + Strong. All Rights Reserved.   terms of use and your privacy
Smart + Strong® is a registered trademark of CDM Publishing, LLC.