Nurse

[oolloo12]

Dear all, So my girlfriend is a nurse. 10 days ago, while she was doing some works, she got some infected blood on her face (hcv+).. She was wearing glasses (for sights reasons not for protection) but some blood may have end up in her eye(dripping). I am worried some blood may have end up in the mouth as well. She had the test at time zero and was negative. I am getting crazy and paranoid. Can you tell me if she is really risking contagion? Please (English is not my mother tongue so please apologize any mistake)

[lporterrn]

HCV doesn't survive in the digestive tract. Her chances of getting hep C in this matter are nearly zero.

[oolloo12]

What about contagion between mucoses?
What about the eyes?

[Lynn K]

Hep c infected blood must normally enter the blood stream of an uninfected person.

From the New York health department:

“Transmission of HCV from patients to healthcare workers has been reported but is uncommon and the prevalence of hepatitis C in healthcare workers is similar to the general population. Seroconversion following accidental needle puncture is also uncommon and appears to be approximately 2% with a range of 0-7%. The exposure of mucous membranes or intact skin to infected blood does not appear to be a factor for transmission of HCV.”

[oolloo12]

Hello
Test done at 31 days is negative
I know it cannot be considered final
But what are the chances that the first month is negative and after is positive?
I mean usually after one month the majority of infections are already positive?
Thanks

[Lynn K]

No idea. It can take up to 12 weeks for normal immune system to develop antibodies. In the presence of a compromised immune system for example in the presence of HIV or otherwise compromised immune system it can take up to 6 months to be confident of results.

Any test prior to 12 weeks should be repeated.

[lporterrn]

It depends on the test. Was it an HCV RNA test (viral load) or antibody test?

[Lynn K]

It depends on the test. Was it an HCV RNA test (viral load) or antibody test?

Good point I missed that

[oolloo12]

Dear all
So.. The test at 90 days came back negative..
She is not hiv+ and she is not immuno compromised in any other way.
Can we consider final the result we got at 3 months? Or do we have to wait other 3 months to be 100% sure?
Thanks

[Lynn K]

The hepatitis C antibody test is very accurate after 12 weeks. I am assuming she had the antibody test. The hepatitis C test (HCV RNA by PCR) which tests for the actual virus is accurate after less than two weeks.

In any event, she was at very little to no risk from the exposure you described.

I am sure she is fine. But I am a lay person just a patient who was infected with hep c for many years and I have no medical training.

This forum is more a support group for those living with hep c, going through treatment, or living with the after effects of long term infection. We can only represent our own personal experiences and cannot offer any medical advice or diagnosis.

If you need additional reassurance you should ask medical expert like your own personal doctor.