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6501229 tn?1381870669

HEP C RISK AT BARBER SHOP (COMB ONLY)

Dear experts!

Greetings!

I know I am taking your time but please please give me some advice since I am a very anxious and nervous person about my health. I am very scared about infectious diseases. This incident happened however seems very ridiculous but I have to bring my concern to somewhere.

2 days before I went to a hair dressing saloon to cut my hair and I always bring my own hair cutting equipment (Scissors, Comb, Clipper and towel) since I am obsessive person but unfortunately that time I forgot to bring my Comb and hair stylist used his own comb during hair cutting procedure. the other equipment like scissors and clippers were my personal tools that he used to cut my hair. I read in the Internet that HEPATITIS C might be transmitted through hair cutting tools. If this is the case, a COMB that hair dresser used to treat my hair can carry HEPATITIS C virus and can it be infectious??? I read that virus of HEP C can live 4 days outside the body in the environment. I have to mention hair stylist didn't nick my neck or cut me at all but I have some pimples on my head and I am worried now.
The anxiety is killing me and I want to test for "HCV PCR RNA QUALITATIVE TEST" to ease my mind 3 weeks after this scenario. How much is the risk I'm involved with??? Is it really a possible exposure???

I am not worried about HEPATITIS B since I've got vaccinated and my anti body is around 200 recently which puts me on the safe side about HEPATITIS B. I am also not worried about HIV since I've read that HIV cannot live outside the body more than just very few minutes. Correct me if I am wrong. Thanks in advance for your valuable advice.
10 Responses
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6501229 tn?1381870669
I don't know how can I express my gratitude for your kind favor to provide this valuable information. You know that sometimes even if your logic gives you right thoughts and ideas unfortunately obsessive mind can't accept those right thoughts. Thanks again for everything and the time and effort you made for providing those information.
Helpful - 0
6501229 tn?1381870669
thanks much for your comment Sir. Sorry for late reply. Frankly speaking, I've done an online (seems valid) test for OCD and the result showed that people who score more than 12 will probably have an OCD. I scored 34. :((( I studied a lot about what you kindly said but as I am obsessive person it's hard to think logically. :(((((((( there is another thing which I know it seems funny but I have to metion to get your comment. last night I was watching movie till early morning and slept very late around 6 A.M and had dream that I vomited. I searched on the internet about interpretation of vomiting in night dream and some said it's sign of good luck and some said you will try for reaching your goals and there was another interpretation which mentioned there is chance you get a hard ailment :((((((. This interpretation really bothers my mind and I'm more worried now. I wish I didn't search on the web about this. Thanks anyway for your helpful comment.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Just read this:  So I can understand the general fear of getting a Major infectious diseases in Malaysia
Malaysia Major infectious diseases
http://www.indexmundi.com/malaysia/major_infectious_diseases.html

Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: intermediate
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea
vectorborne diseases: dengue fever
water contact disease: leptospirosis
note: highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2013)

Definition: This entry lists major infectious diseases likely to be encountered in countries where the risk of such diseases is assessed to be very high as compared to the United States. These infectious diseases represent risks to US government personnel traveling to the specified country for a period of less than three years. The degree of risk is assessed by considering the foreign nature of these infectious diseases, their severity, and the probability of being affected by the diseases present. The diseases listed do not necessarily represent the total disease burden experienced by the local population.
The risk to an individual traveler varies considerably by the specific location, visit duration, type of activities, type of accommodations, time of year, and other factors. Consultation with a travel medicine physician is needed to evaluate individual risk and recommend appropriate preventive measures such as vaccines.
Diseases are organized into the following six exposure categories shown in italics and listed in typical descending order of risk. Note: The sequence of exposure categories listed in individual country entries may vary according to local conditions.
food or waterborne diseases acquired through eating or drinking on the local economy:

Hepatitis A, Hepatitis E , Typhoid fever, Malaria, Dengue fever, Yellow fever , Japanese Encephalitis, African Trypanosomiasis, Cutaneous Leishmaniasis, Plague, and many more are listed but Hepatitis C and HIV are not mentioned  Source: CIA World Factbook - Unless otherwise noted, information in this page is accurate as of December 6, 2013.

My guess since Intravenous drug use (IVDU) is probably 80%(guess) or more for NEW HVC infections and maybe 50%(guess) for NEW HIV and 40% (guess) for NEW HIV unprotected vaginal/anal sex.(more people should have general idea of that by now). Since Blood transfusion have been screened for years that risk is very low now plus risk of these such diseases is assessed to NOT to be very high as compared to the United States are why Hepatitis C and HIV are not mentioned.

Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I can not give you medical advice
I can give you my personal guess about that statistical result
_________________________________________________________
http://www.msgh.org.my/resources/managementhepatitisc.htm
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) has an estimated prevalence of 3% globally,  In Malaysia the prevalence of hepatitis C is about 1.5%

An audit of 119 hepatitis C cases seen in Hospital Kuala Lumpur during the years 1990-2000 indicated that the majority of patients (48.7%) were infected through blood transfusion
HCV transmission occurs primarily through exposure to infected blood. This exposure exists in the context of:
- Intravenous drug use (IVDU)
- Blood transfusion
- Solid organ transplantation from infected donors
- Unsafe medical practices
- Occupational exposure to infected blood
- Birth to an infected mother
- Multiple heterosexual partners or high-risk sexual practices
________________________________________________
1.5% is half the global average

It may also be possible to spread hepatitis C through:
sharing razors, toothbrushes, or nail clippers with a person who has hepatitis C (because these items may have traces of blood on them)
tattoos or piercing, especially if it is not done by a professional with sterile equipment.

My Guess - Unless this was happening on a regular basis with an infected person the odds would be less than 1%

The odds of you getting it from hair dresser's comb my guess less than 0.0001%  or one in 100,000

about risk of HIV in my case also. There was a reply "none" to your question in the HIV forum.  I would agree unless the comb was dripping with blood from a cut on a person with HIV and within a couple minutes came in contact with your blood from open wound.    

I was only aware of HEP B anti body test is around 200 recently
and the  the ones you mention in the HIV forum from your Oct 15, 2013 posts from your oral sex encounter scare other
"So I got tested at the end of 4th month (120 days). The test description sounds like this: HIV I/II ab (EIA Method) = NON-REACTIVE (It wasn't a rapid test and result would be ready after a few days)
Actually I'm planning to get tested after a full 6 month passes (one month later) for the utmost safety."

For Hep C
Sexual encounters are pretty rare but Multiple heterosexual partners or high-risk sexual practices may increase your risk. Rough vaginal or anal sex where HVC contaminated blood from one person with with an open wound comes in contact with the others open wound whether internal or external.  Oral sex can be risky like bleeding gums in contact with open wounds.

In your last reply here you said full blood test one month before as my yearly routine plan. Have you had a Hepatitis C Antibodies test???

"When I feel a little bit sick always I think what if it is a serious ailment or these sort of rumination thoughts"

"What I think is that to go for PCR RNA TEST and pay much more for relieving my concern than to pay the same amount or maybe higher to Psychologist or Consultant to give me mind relief. What do you think???

PCR RNA TEST will give you mind relief for how long? Will you want to do it in another month or so to be sure. Or when the next time you have an incident where you might have a less than 0.??? per chance.

Only you can decide if you want to see a Psychologist or Psychiatrist. I really don't know if you should or shouldn't. According to what I read most people won't until it's gets real bad and if it doesn't may never see one. There some online mental health type checklist type quizzes that will suggest possibilities.        

http://www.webmd.com/anxiety-panic/guide/fear-factor-phobias
"Phobias are the most common mental disorder," says R. Reid Wilson, PhD, spokesman for the American Psychological Association. "Over their lifetimes, 11% of people will have a phobia."
"To be defined as a phobia, the fear must cause some level of impairment,"

Unless you get really sick with symptoms and/or have a high probably HVC encounter get a  Hepatitis C Antibodies test.once every year or two to reassure you  You are still young and if in the rare chance you do get it you should have plenty of time to get treated probably with much better drugs that what is available today.   My opinion only i wish you the best in the future.    
Helpful - 0
4950316 tn?1394184585
Hi there.
I see you have posted this in the HIV forum as well, and from the replies, you should know no risk of HIV.
I think the information you have been given above should allay your fears, but i think your problem has more to do with anxiety and perhaps OCD. But, so saying, yes, have the PCR RNA test. It is the definitive test for HCV.
I would suggest that you may be better off dealing with those issues of anxiety as it really does seem to be a preoccupation with you.
If you practice safe sex, not share needles, razors, nail clippers etc., you have little to zero chance of contracting HCV.
Read about and take in the ways in which you can contract HCV, and avoid that behaviour.
good luck.
Helpful - 0
6501229 tn?1381870669
Dear JimmyMose & dontworry_behappy1

Really appreciate of your comprehensive comments. Actually I've done a full blood test one month before as my yearly routine plan as I told you I am very obssesive and anxious person and sometimes I do it twice in a year. I am 30 years old guy BTW. . When I feel a little bit sick always I think what if it is a serious ailment or these sort of rumination thoughts. I had a very cautious life history as I didn't involve myself in sexually activity with the girls of unknown status at all. I was abstinent and never had sexual activity with CSW or these sort of people. What I think is that to go for PCR RNA TEST and pay much more for relieving my concern than to pay the same amount or maybe higher to Psychologist or Consultant to give me mind relief. What do you think??? Is PCR RNA an accurate test??
I;ve just read on the web that HCV prevalence in Malaysia is 1.5%. How do you interpret this statistical result??? 1.5% considered low or High??
Could you please let me know about risk of HIV in my case also????? Others told me there is absolutely no risk involved. REally appreciate it.
Helpful - 0
6501229 tn?1381870669
Dear JimmyMose & dontworry_behappy1

Really appreciate of your comprehensive comments. Actually I've done a full blood test one month before as my yearly routine plan as I told you I am very obssesive and anxious person and sometimes I do it twice in a year. I am 30 years old guy BTW. . When I feel a little bit sick always I think what if it is a serious ailment or these sort of rumination thoughts. I had a very cautious life history as I didn't involve myself in sexually activity with the girls of unknown status at all. I was abstinent and never had sexual activity with CSW or these sort of people. What I think is that to go for PCR RNA TEST and pay much more for relieving my concern than to pay the same amount or maybe higher to Psychologist or Consultant to give me mind relief. What do you think??? Is PCR RNA an accurate test??
I;ve just read on the web that HCV prevalence in Malaysia is 1.5%. How do you interpret this statistical result??? 1.5% considered low or High??
Could you please let me know about risk of HIV in my case also????? Others told me there is absolutely no risk involved. REally appreciate it.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
(on medical) (Non medical)
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
No matter how ridiculous a concern may seem you are welcome to ask here. It's easy to get concerned especially when reading or hearing news about something that may harm you when your not very knowledgeable the threat.

You seem to to be following the recommendations to help avoid contracting an infectious disease like HVC. That is a good thing to do.

Like dontworry_behappy1 said "extremely low/no risk"

To have a test for "HCV PCR RNA QUALITATIVE TEST" to ease my mind 3 weeks after this scenario.  

From what I have read
It's usually expensive $350(USA)? insurance?   The Hepatitis C PCR test can typically detect the virus after a few weeks after a suspected contact or exposure. Some people may be detectable earlier.  

The Hepatitis (RNA PCR) or PCR Quantitative test is most commonly ordered by people who are undergoing or have undergone treatment to provide a measure of the virus in their system. This test can also be used as a screening by people who may have had a recent exposure or to confirm the results of a previous Hepatitis C test.

Someone who wishes to screen for Hepatitis C but is not concerned about a recent exposure, may wish to order the Hepatitis C Antibodies test.
The incubation period is usually between 4-12 weeks. In rare circumstances, it could take past 6 months to be detectable.

I don't know your life history, circumstances or whether you have had a  Hepatitis C Antibodies test.in the past.  Unless you are experiencing symptoms of acute HVC infection in my (on medical) opinion it might not be a bad idea to get a Hepatitis C Antibodies test.about 6 month from now  ($60 in the USA). Very unlikely but if you did test positive then a confirming Hepatitis C RNA PCR Qualitative Testing should be done. NOTE: if it was confirmed that you are infected with HVC at that time that would not mean that you got it from hair dresser's comb. If never tested before for HVC any exposure to your blood from contaminated HVC blood since birth could have caused it.

I can understand being more fearful about infectious disease(s) in Malaysia. because there are more of them are prevalent than in the US    

FYI to anyone (opinion)  It's normal for people to have some fear of the unknown.  For example the risk of being killed or injured by a bomb, (mass or serial killer) in the USA is so extremely low but may cause a brief period of panic for many people not directly connected.  In the USA the current odds of dying in an auto accident are now 50 times+ greater than in a plane crash basis on percentage of miles traveled.  Yet more people still have a a greater fear of flying than riding in an auto.

Having continued fear more 6 months of something that has a low risk of of happening could be a problem.  A complete physical exam and a consultation with a mental health profession is probably a good idea.        
Helpful - 0
2059648 tn?1439766665
I think the use of a comb is an extremely low/no risk.  I'm sure just about anything that comes in contact with your body and someone else's could be seen  as a concern.  We could all walk around in plastic bags and never have to worry about being touched or touching something that may harm you.   I honestly think you are over thinking this.  Anything is possible and you could worry yourself to death about every little thing you touch.  A comb used on your hair isn't a sharp object that punctures your skin and contacts your blood with someone else's.  Hepatitis C isn't easy to get.  You weren't wounded by the comb and it sounds like you are very careful protecting yourself.  

Don't worry....you are very careful.....be happy
Helpful - 0
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