HCV Transmission - Urine

[leeac]

Is HCV viral load is present in urine?  What is the potential of transmission via urine splashes at public toilets?

[mikesimon]

I can't find anything recent. There is an article from 1993 which states that HCV was found in saliva and urine but I don't give it enough credence to cite it. That's a long time ago and if urine posed a risk we'd have heard a lot about it by now. Of course, notwithstanding our silly talk about piggies, the fact is that behavior which would expose one to urine is not mainstream stuff so even if urine did contain HCV most of us would flush it away and it wouldn't pose a threat. I'm sorry I can give you a definitive answer and cite a source. Mike

[leeac]

guys, i can certainly appreciate the humor in what you consider to be a longshot concern, but does anyone have actual information pertaining to viral load of hcv in urine (without blood)?  i've read conflicting information online, some saying that hcv HAS been isolated in some cases in the urine, whereas other sites indicate that urine does NOT contain hcv.  i would imagine the amount of virus in urine, in any case, is small enough to make infection unlikely, but i'm just looking for some backup info.

and for your information, i never trusted the little piggy who went to market.

[mikesimon]

Suffice it to say she's sporting a pair of very dainty little trotters. That's all I'm gonna say on this. Mike

[beamishboy]

couple of guys will full-blown foot fetish...fellas like me & Rev are indeed confused by your unnatural urges and i for one am shocked by the v thought!..could you possibly describe her toes in detail? what color polish? is it freshly applied or chipping just abit-

[donAlfonso]

doh! I didn't scroll down the page and see the many other studies cited. Still, though none will commit and say "never happens", they  mostly say things like "extremely low or null" and "low to null."  The main reason they won't totally commit seems to be that HCV RNA has been found in semen.

dA

[donAlfonso]

Hey Rev, how's it going?  I haven't been around in a while.  Good to see you are still here.  Sorry to see that your HCV has become a problem at your worksite.  That really sucks and will probably become more commonplace as more people treat.  What a way to have to raise public awareness.

I took a look at info at the link posted. Seems to me what it actually is saying about sexual transmission is that in the study cited, of the 3 allegedly monogamous couples that claimed to have transmitted the virus sexually, in one case the genotype of the infectee was different than the spouse.  In the other two, genetic evidence showed that the infection was not by the spouse.  The study concluded that the odds of sexual transmission are "extremely low or even null."   I wonder if the study people had to inform those couples of the results!

As for snorting coke, I don't really know, but certainly have suspicions. An active nosebleed is not required, only an irritated membrane. I remember watching a meth freak 35 years ago take a drink of water from a glass and seeing blood from his gums swirling in the water.  He never injected, I knew him.  But he was leaving blood trails everywhere he went, able to infect or be infected.  Also, when it comes to self-reporting drug use/abuse, I'm betting it's safe to say that there is a certain amount of prevarication, okay, call it  minimization.  Don't forget those 3 couples above.

Oh, and I can testify that nail clipping can be a blood sport.  I have one weird toenail that always becomes ingrown, and requires minor surgery, and I don't have podiatry coverage, so I do it myself, with occasional loss of blood.  There's more than you ever needed to know.  Sorry.

Hi to any others out there who may know me.

dA

[mikesimon]

What concerns me is whether a vigorous game of "This Little Piggy" could be a risk factor. I love that game but I'm worried about Karen's safety. Do you have any info on this? BTW, I particularly love the Raostbeef Piggy. Thanks Tom, Mike

[mikesimon]

There is no code here. It's just what it appears to be - a couple of guys exploring the possible risk/reward ratio of playing "This Little Piggy". Mike

[Morgaina]

The half-proven theories will go on for decades before there are real answers. Actually, I'm not sure there are absolute answers for anything, anywhere. Live with a good heart, maybe the answers come from a place where humans cant be boss?!?

[mikesimon]

Thanks and it's a big relief to know I'm not exposing Karen to any risks. The Roastbeef Piggy is safe because she's not infected but, thus far, I have been able to resist the urge to do anything more than play with the Piggies so it hasn't been an issue. The toxicity of the polish will insure that I keep from indulging further. Thanks again, Mike

[donAlfonso]

Michael, I think studies have shown that "This Little Piggy" represents no risk, unless one actually tries to eat that Roastbeef piggy and also has bleeding gums.  Sounds like Karen has nice toesies.  Just remember that nail polish is hepatotoxic.  Not sure about toe jam.

dA

[Kalio1]

HCV is a BLOOD borne virus, you can not contrat it through bodily fluids!

[leeac]

The concern being:

1. Chances of urine containing actual viral load in quantities that could transmit HCV.  Urine is thought to be sterile, but I am wondering about actual viral load in urine.

2. The inevitable splashes of water that occur when using public toilets.  Not a pleasant topic, but the genitalia region contain large mucous membrane areas that are conducive to transmission of HCV.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.
Thanks.

[GrandOak]

HCV is transferred by an exchange of blood.  If there is blood in you urine, you may need to get checked to see why?

It would seem that the chances of blood, even in the urine, splashing and infecting someone else would be zero.

[l-horn]

zero