I need some prospective please

[Views3]

So, I am uncertain if my exposure to hep c is ligitamate or not.. I was at work...and I touched a patient's blanket that apparently had wound drainage on it with my bare hands. Mind you, the drainage was clear (no visiable blood), and I couldn't tell that the sheet had anything on it before I grabbed it. I also did not receive report on this patient until after the fact. I did not have any cuts etc on my hands, and I have gotten plently or reassurance that this was not a mode of transmission.

The reason I am concerned is that I have recently had symptoms of acute infection of hep c, such as fatigue, nausea and especially joint and muscle pain. I started experiencing the symptoms after about 3 days after expose though...and as I've read, only about 25% of people have acute symptoms after exposure and this happens usually at least 2 weeks after exposure if not 3 months.

So I was wondering, if anyone had any similar experiences or information to provide....I plan on getting tested in 6 months.

[Views3]

Thank you both for your input. I appreciate it.

[Trinity4]

The reassurances you have gotten about the mode of transmission are correct.  Hepc is only transmitted from blood to blood contact.  Infected blood must enter the bloodstream so no blood, no cuts, no exposure.  The symptoms you describe as acute hepc are also indicative of many other viral infections totally unrelated to hepc and acute hepc symptoms will normally manifest about 6-7 weeks after infection.

As spectda said, get tested for peace of mind.

Trinity

[spectda]

It's unlikely you got hcv in this manner. Go to you Dr and get tested if you are nervous. If you work in a hospital or with patients report it to your employer and say you want to get tested. How can we know if you have it or not?

Good luck-Dave