Can hep c be transmitted through razors?

[Worrisome7]

My husband has hepatitis C about 2-3 weeks ago I used his razor not even really realizing what I was doing because I was such in a hurry I cut myself and told him of he'd ever cut himself with it and he said no. Last week I got pretty sick with body aches, joint pain, chills, hot flashes, headaches and I basically slept for 2 days straight the second day I woke up and had tea colored urine idk if die to I didn't have much water the day before? So I started drink water my pee started going back to its normal color my aches started going away just left with a headache for a couple days. Is it even possible to catch hep c like that and do my symptoms sound like I should worry and go a get blood test done?

[hrsepwrguy]

Hepatitis C Virus Infection

Is it safe for a mother infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) to breastfeed her infant?

Yes. There is no documented evidence that breastfeeding spreads HCV. Therefore, having HCV-infection is not a contraindication to breastfeed. HCV is transmitted by infected blood, not by human breast milk. There are no current data to suggest that HCV is transmitted by human breast milk.

Is it safe for the HCV-positive mother to breastfeed if her nipples are cracked and bleeding?

Data are insufficient to say yes or no. However, HCV is spread by infected blood. Therefore, if the HCV-positive mother's nipples and/or surrounding areola are cracked and bleeding, she should stop nursing temporarily. Instead, she should consider expressing and discarding her breast milk until her nipples are healed. Once her breasts are no longer cracked or bleeding, the HCV-positive mother may fully resume breastfeeding.

http://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/disease/hepatitis.htm

[Worrisome7]

Thanks everyOne. I breastfeed should I stop?

[dontworry_behappy1]

What is most concerning is you know you used the razor of someone who has Hepatitis C.   You are unaware of your current status.  It would be a good idea to get tested due to the fact you have been exposed to Hepatitis C.
Then in the future keep all your personal care items separate.   This is a way known way Hepatitis C is transmitted and its in your best interest to go get tested.  Its not expense and if you have insurance all you have to do tell your doctor your concerned.

Let us know the results

[SurfsideGal]

Tea colored urine happens when the person is jaundiced. So it is possible to have tea colored urine in the acute stage of hepatitis C. It seems more likely to me that whatever infection you had affected your digestive system and caused an elevation in bilirubin that caused the dark urine. It went away quickly so I would not think it was anything earth shattering.

[orphanedhawk]

It is possible to get hep C from a razor however you would not have tea colored urine unless you had advanced cirrhosis and that can take years.

I agree with the above advice, get tested.

[keepingOnkeepingOn]

Get tested and then you'll know. It's chancey but not likely. It's from needles, dirty blood in dirty needles, even at blood banks in the days of old before safety's went in check.

[patra_]

SSG hasgiven you correct information.  There are many ways of getting Hep C, but MOST have a minescule chance.  A needle puncture among medical workers is said to be less than 2% chance and I would think that sharing a razor is much less than that.

I developed HepC from blood transfusion a little over a year after I was married.  I had (yes, had) the virus for over 40 years. For the first half of that we did not even know I had it.  We share razors, on occasion, tooth brushes,
and, of course, the intimacy of marriage. We are still married and my husband is still not infected.  Of course, after we learned about hepc and how it is transmitted, we were much more careful, but even then, not perfectly.  

If you are concerned, wait 6 months, and have a Hepatitis C Antiody test.  If that is negative, no HepC.  If you are reactive, get the HCV RNA PCR test (much more expensive and Ins usually won't pay for it unless you have tested Reactive for the antibodies) which is definitive.  

You could do the tests sooner, but the best, and least expensive way to do is and be sure, is to wait for 6 months and then do Antibody test first (very inexpensive).  

In the meantime, DO NOT WORRY about it or get anxious.  This is a very slow developing disease and the new treatments are relatively short - 12 weeks in most cases - 24 weeks in certain cases - and relatively side effect free.

You probably don't have a problem as SSG said, but rather than sit around and wonder about it for years the tests are there and they are simple blood tests, just like your annual Labs on annual physicals.

Good luck.

[SurfsideGal]

Yes, sharing personal hygiene items puts you at risk for hepatitis C. I don't think the risk is particularly high, but it is there. The problem is that even a microscopic drop of blood can transmit the virus. Seeing as your husband said he never cut himself, is a good sign, but I can't say that you are 100% safe. Again, I think it is unlikely but I couldn't stand up in a court of law and swear to it.