Changing toothbrushes frequently

Question

I spoke with a nurse at Gilead an during the conversation she mentioned to frequently change your toothbrush as your viral decreases.  I didn't think of doing that on my 2 wk. lab draw.  Don't think I saw it mentioned on this forum since I've been here.  Just a heads up for newbies

susan400 · Answer

Thanks for those kind words.  I am glad that I've inspired people, though I can't take any credit for it.  I am just trying to put one foot in front of the other and somehow keep on keeping on.  I am not quite done with the treatment though.  I am close to being done.  1 shot left on Mon. night and then, finish up the pills with Tues. nights dose.  I have continued to going to the gym throughout my treatment, but some days like day after shot days-I stayed home and just did a lighter type of workout by walking slowly on my treadmill.  Some days when I went to the gym, when I was dragging butt, I reduced the length of time that I was there and the intensity, too.  It's just that I found out after all the years of doing this, that the working out IS my antidepressant.  I don't do the antidepressant meds and by making myself workout, my mood feels like it's lifted and I'm not so 'down' feeling.  It also helps me with my achiness since I'm being stretched out and then, the muscles and bones don't feel so 'knotted up'.  I wish you SVR and the best of good thoughts to you on your treatment.  Susan400

Sovaldi13Newbie · Answer

Just wanted to say youre an inspiration, and one of the strongest people I have ever known...you just finished TX, you have done all those treatments, and youre going to the gym? Absolutely amazing...I'm wishing the best SVR for you!

Sovaldi13Newbie · Answer

Thanks for your post, as always. I have a pretty expensive electric toothbrush that has done wonders for my gums (my dentist says if you are going electric, get a "pulse" one, not a circling one) and I just soak it in pure peroxide before using it every time. And I change the brush head far more frequently (though it's a bit overpriced to buy just two replacements) I hope I'm doing the right thing...as I read that peroxide kills the virus. I don't live too far from Kat Von D's tattoo parlor, and they soak their instruments in peroxide and replace they the tattoo stylus or whatever that thing is called. They told me that they haven't had any trouble of people reporting Hep C except for a few people who said they had used IV drugs. And they do big business in tattoos. ;-)

susan400 · Answer

Thanks for the tip, but being as I only had 6 days left, I don't think I would be inclined to use a new toothbrush every day.  Somebody just starting out treatment might be wanting to do this though.  Susan400

Livelife777 · Answer

"Public Service Announcement"
The Dollar Store sells a toothbrush holder with 5 brand new spanking toothbrushes in it for 1$.
One for everyday of the week, if your so inclined!
...Kim

sue4hula · Answer

Just a cautionary FYI regarding the earrings.  I tossed the cheap, non sentimental earrings and then soaked the others in a bleach water solution.  I left them in for a week, covering the dish so I wouldn't smell it.  ALL my earrings were ruined.  I was bummed, but realized that I was still glad I had no possibility of reinfecting myself from my own earrings.  I now have one pair.  Kinda freeing, actually!  

Take care, everyone!

susan400 · Answer

I will probably continue on my replacing toothbrushes every 2 wks, for at least the immediate future once my TX drugs have stopped.  Can't say that I'll continue to replace them that often forever, but at least a few times post treatment on the 2 wk schedule. Then, I'll go back to my dentist recommended replace toothbrush schedule, which I believe is like every 2-3 mon., unless you get a cold or flu.  Susan400

Dee1956 · Answer

Very interesting article, thank you so much for sharing it.  Maybe that explains the people who have no idea how they got it.
Back in 2008 my doctor said he did not think they had yet discovered all the ways it could be transmitted.
Thanks again, Dee

Dee1956 · Answer

Hi there, thanks for bringing this up, with all of the new people coming on here all the time, it is a good thing.
I did a search for toothbrush in the HCV Forum, there are over 400 threads concerning this subject.

http://www.medhelp.org/forums/search/75?utf8=%26%23x2713%3B&query=toothbrush

It is always good to share information, even if it has been discussed in the past there might be that one person who has not seen it.  With 14M people joining MedHelp every month there is always someone new here.

When I treated I was told that the virus only lived for 4 days, what change that is from the now 6 month information.

Thanks for sharing!
Take Care
Dee

ChrisDDD · Answer

I'm glad this came up.  I had forgotten about the toothbrushes.  Last time I had that concern was my husband switching also because what if I cleared and then he gave it back to me, and caught it himself?  The recommendation then was that that was just sort of silly.  We're divorced now, so again I'm glad this has been brought up.

Chris

mike716 · Answer

I don't want to add to the paranoia about toothbrushes and other dental instruments, but I think I was infected with HCV by insuficiently sterilized dental instruments. The only other possibility - a blood transfusion fifty years ago - doesn't seem logical. (Would I still have been F1 in 2008?), whereas I've had dental problems all my life, including two bouts of gingivitis, and more recently a long series of oral surgeries and implants starting in 2004.

M.

susan400 · Answer

I also want to say that I've probably been infected for 30 yrs, so who know how many things I have lying around my condo that could be infected with it.  I think I would have to throw out like a huge amount of stuff??  I am pretty sure I was infected in 1982-83 time frame I am like 99% sure of it.  Pre- availability of a Hep C test, I tested positive for a non-A/non-B hepatitis at a clinic in 1985 and then, when the Hep C blood test became available was found to be positive in 1994..

Susan400

gibsongal · Answer

thanks i never thought of ….using new a toothbrush. ! duh! 
will get some and new nail clippers and clean my earrings
thanks thanks thanks...

hoping4cure · Answer

The incubation period where the virus is rapidly replicating itself is between 2 weeks and 6 months from the initial infection. The study done at Yale found that at room temperature the virus can live as long as 6 weeks. I had an appointment with my primary doc today and he had not heard a thing about this. The report from Yale was released back in December around 7 months ago.  

http://blog.aids.gov/2014/01/scientists-discover-hepatitis-c-virus-can-remain-infectious-outside-of-the-body-for-up-to-6-weeks.html

susan400 · Answer

I don't wear earrings that often since I'm not working.  I usually just go to the gym, run errands, come home..., sort of boring, I know.  But, I will follow your advice and take my earrings and soak them in alcohol, or peroxide, or a mixture of both

Livelife777 · Answer

Not to worry you all or cause paranoia,  but one of the biggest culprits is pierced earrings, or body piercings that you take in and out everyday.   The advice is to soak them in a solution of hydrogen peroxide, or diluted bleach.
Have read various reports as to how long the virus can exist on surfaces.  Not sure which to believe but mostly reported as 6 weeks, although I've seen it as high as 6 months.  Regardless, when you think about ingesting interferon for 6 or more months, and that didn't kill this virus, you have to believe that this virus is a "Super Bug" and hard to kill.  Therefore be diligent and do what ever you have to, to make sure it's not lurking somewhere in your personal items.
...Kim

susan400 · Answer

I heard that about the toothbrushes from the nurse at Gilead, too.  I didn't boil my nail clippers and tweezers, though, since I am just at the beginning of treatment, but I may do that soon.  I did soak them for about 40 min in a diluted clorox/water solution.  I swapped out my manual toothbrush and my electric toothbrush head.  I don't bleed on my outer lips and actually don't use lipstick that often, so, I think I'm going to pass on that one.  Replacing all this stuff can get expensive and I don't have alot of money to work with anyway.  I am just doing the toothbrush thing like every 2 wks and right now, I haven't really noticed any gum bleeding.  I do have a neti pot though and already whenever I've used that, I clean it well by dishwashing liq/by hand followed by running it through the dishwasher.

Susan400

hoping4cure · Answer

I talked to one of the nurses at support path and she said the manufacture is recommending that they be changed throughout the course of treatment. I asked her is that because they have recently found that the virus can live on a surface up to six weeks and the treatments have been shortened in length? She said you're heath care provider would have to give you that information.

can-do-man · Answer

If it gives you some piece of mind and it sure doesn't hurt to do this. I wouldn't get to stressed out over it. As my Doctor told me one never knows just when they become Und so if it was possible to re-infect your self this way there would be warning about this and one would need to change them every day... Best of luck to all treating.

hepc4Sandi · Answer

I don't remember who posted the info, but there was quite a lot of discussion about it at the time. There is a low chance of transmission with these things but it was astonishing how long the virus can live on objects, something like 6 weeks. I looked at it as part of turning over, hopefully, a new leaf.

nursehepc · Answer

The only place I read about doing that was from nan! I heard that she was doing that in support of her husband's treatment and I said to myself, "smart." 

hepc4Sandi - Was it nan's posts that motivated your cautionary actions?

Because of her (thank-you nan), I switched out my toothbrushes every 2 weeks for first 6 weeks and am now switching them out every week (I am day 47-so just started to switch out toothbrushes every week). I also did this with my razor heads.

Similar to hepc4Sandi, I also boiled nail tools (the metal ones) and used for first 6 weeks (boiling after each use) and plan on buying new nail tools this week.

That said, this type of information can never be stated enough. We are all looking at practical ways to do all we can that is in our power to reach the desired SVR.

Thank-You. Joanne.

Mmorgan856 · Answer

I figured it was mentioned but since I've been on the forum for approx. 3 wks. I'm sure I missed it. I'm also new to computer technology an figuring out this I-pad has been a hair puller. Thanks for reminding me of other things such as lip glosses an nail files.  Another great tip that is so helpful for me to hopefully attain SVR.   GREATLY APPRECIATED

hepc4Sandi · Answer

Actually it was mentioned a few months ago. I bought a new toothbrush every week. Also soaked nail clippers, files and scissors in alcohol often, tossed disposable shavers after every use, and tossed all my lip stocks and lip glosses. I didn't want to take any chances. Am still waiting for my 12 week EOT viral load test.