Re: TRANSMISSION OF HEPATITUS(hepatitis) C

Posted By Theresa  on September 06, 1998 at 22:32:26:

In Reply to: TRANSMISSION OF HEPATITUS (hepatitis) C posted by HFHSM.D.-D.M. on September 06, 1998 at 17:41:39:






: : : How is Heptitus transmitted?
: : : I've been told only through blood or sexual contact.
I was wondering about the transmission via mosquito's too!  Thanks for asking this question.  Another question, if a food prep person that has the anti-hcv were to cut themself, bleeding into the salad greens, could this be a means of transmission?  
: : Is the hepatitus (hepatitis) b and c virus fragile to enviromental conditions or do these viruses respond simular to typhoid?
Same concerns for me. I`ve heard hepatitis-C can be trasmitted at nail salons, by shared toothbrushes and by sexual contact. I have C and suspect i`ve had it for about 25 years. I`ve been married to the same woman for 20 years and she tested negative. I cant therefore believe it is very easy to transmit Hep-C through sexual contact. Weve done it a few times in 20 years! How do you explain all the cases of non at risk people?
I am curious about your history of military service, I Know several folks who served in the military
and have no other high risk activities but are hcv positive.
I believe more research needs to be done in the area of possible transmission in those
long lines of innoculations where reports of blood dripping down arms and
bloody air guns are quite common.  
hepatitis C often remains without symptoms for
decades or even longer.
In all due respect, is it not an epidemic that we have when we discuss hepatitis c?
And if in fact a person with it can go for such a long time without knowing it,
then is it not possible that the old ways of giving shots, where blood was mingled
from person to person could be a consideration?  It simply stands to reason, that if
Hepatitis C was in existance say back in the 50's, and blood was mingled between
service men standing in line, then it would have been transmitted.  How can you say that
occupational hazards such as medical personell and needle sticks are a consideration, and
then in the same statement rule out this other obvious mode of transmission?
I spoke with one girl, who was trained all of 10 minutes in the military to run the innoculation
guns, she said in the first few days she ran it, she did in fact shed a lot of blood.
Please re-think this stance, I will await your reply...
Theresa(My sister contracted it via a blood transfusion in the early 70's, but I Have met
many who have no clue where they got it)
The mesquito question is one I have always asked, and as I mention in the other post,
it has been proven that a certain type of asian mesquito does in fact transmit
hcv.  Ever been to cambodia or the like? and been covered with mesquitoes? that could
be the answer to many questions of origin for hcv carriers



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: Dear Richard Brown, Deb, R.J., Theresa:
I really enjoyed your questions and comments on the transmission of hepatitis C and I think what Ill do is to write one big letter trying addressing everyones concerns.   The transmission of hepatitis C is one of the most controversial and emotional issue surrounding hepatitis C.  This is in part, because in up to 10 to 40% (depending upon the study) of patients, were not sure how they were exposed to the virus.  However, on the other hand, we do know a lot about transmission and I think we should try to examine the considerable information at hand.  First, of all, Im going to assume that everyone is asking about hepatitis C and to a lesser degree hepatitis B.  Richard Brown does not specifically refer to viral hepatitis but Ill assume thats what he is talking about.  
Hepatitis C is a very hard virus to transmit and requires blood to blood contact.  The two most common ways the virus is transmitted in this country is by intravenous drug use and by transfusions.  In my practice, I see about two patients who received it through drugs for every one patient who received it through a transfusion.  Other potential ways of getting it are tattoos, body piercing, intranasal cocaine, exposure as a fetus or during birth, occupational exposure (needlesticks for health care workers) and finally through sex.
Let me talk specifically about sexual exposure.  Hepatitis C is not easily transmitted through sex because even here blood to blood contact appears to be required in that the hepatitis C virus has never been found in semen or cervical secretions.  It turns out that the main risk factor for sexual transmission of hepatitis C is having multiple sex partners.  In fact, two people involved in a monogamous relationship have a very low chance of giving each other the hepatitis C virus even if they have been sexually active for 20 to 50 years.  One explanation for this (that has not been proven) is that people who have multiple sex partners are at a greater risk for sexually transmitted diseases and that venereal sores can allow blood to blood contact.  Therefore, Im certainly not surprised that R.J.s wife is negative for the hepatitis C virus.  Now it is critical to stress that this is not quite as true for hepatitis B which is much easier to transmit through sexual activity.  Certainly, anyone who has a partner who has hepatitis B, should strongly consider the hepatitis B vaccine.  
Ill try to address some of the specific questions and then Ill talk about mosquitoes because that is on everyones mind.  First of all you could not obtain hepatitis C from eating a salad into which someone with hepatitis C had bled.  Hepatitis C and B are not spread by oral ingestion.  Secondly, Im not certain how long either hepatitis B or C remain infective on say a needle or razor.  I have periodically tried to find that information and have not been able to.  I would assume anything that potentially has blood on it is potentially infective no matter how old the blood is.  Thirdly, we do feel hepatitis B and C can be spread by shared toothbrushes or razors because they can get blood on them and then mix with the blood of someone else who might use them.  We feel it is critical that patients with viral hepatitis not share these things.  I would also imagine that if someone in a hair salon could spread hepatitis C if they used razors or some other instrument that might have blood on it repeatedly on many customers.  I am not specifically aware of a case of this.  Finally, I am not aware of any mass epidemics in this country involving vaccines given in the military or elsewhere.  There certainly is a tragic situation where many hemophiliacs received both hepatitis C and HIV/AIDS through blood products they take to help them clot.  There was also a case of an epidemic in Ireland as a result of a contaminated blood product given to pregnant women.  
Now finally, let me talk about mosquitoes.  It has been postulated that mosquitoes and other insects can transmit the virus.  What I can tell you is that hepatitis C does not grow, survive or replicate in mosquitoes.  It is possible that if a mosquito bit someone with hepatitis C and then almost immediately bit someone else, the mosquito could potentially transmit the virus but there is no evidence that any significant number of individuals have   obtained hepatitis C this way.  
Finally, I wanted to make a comment to Richard Brown.  I do not know why so many individuals at his plant were found to have hepatitis C (again I assume we are referring to hepatitis C) but I would point out that it does not mean they all obtained hepatitis C at the same time.  The infection could have been obtained at anytime because hepatitis C often remains without symptoms for decades or even longer.  I wonder, if everyone was simply tested for hepatitis C at or about the same time.  Finally, I do want to stress that I agree with everyone that more research needs to be done and more research is being done.  However, I do not want people in the population at large who are not exposed to high risk behaviors to think they are likely to suddenly come down with one of these viruses for no obvious reason.  
I hope this information is helpful to you. If you have any additional questions or concerns, you can post them through MEDHELP or contact us directly at Henry Ford. The direct number to our liver clinic is: [phone]. At Henry Ford, we have a very active group of hepatologists with a strong interest in the care and research of hepatitis C.
This response is being provided for general informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice or consultation. Always check with your personal physician when you have a question physician when you have a question pertaining to your health