Hepatitis and sewage.

[Buddy49]

Hi  I was diagnosed this past summer with hep c.I have read numerous cases about people being exposed to raw sewage and claiming to be infected that way.seems as though all these cases are defeated in the courts.As a constuction worker all my life I have no doubt that you can be infected this way. My question is a little different.When i was diagnosed it only confermed my suspicions.I thought I had it for many years,but was never tested.I was not aware that I was in any danger.The diagnoses didn't affect me at all.I kept working every day,and had a full life.Then when I was exposed to raw sewage every thing changed.That evening I became very sick and remained that way for about 4 weeks.I did get somewhat better,but never was able to return to work.i was wondering if anyone could tell me if the exposure could excellerate my hepc.At the time had 1 of the 3 shots for the hep b. I believe that this is what has made me sick,but can't find any cases like mine on the net,  thanks  Buddy49

[Buddy49]

Thanks for the input,I'm just trying to find out if I have a workmens comp.case.I'm just trying to find out if the exposure could could have worsened my condition.I say the answer is yes.My Gastro Doctor has recomenced that I be checked for hep b. Also if you check the Social Security web site you will see that hep. does fall into their guidlines.This is new,as of 12-18-07.  I also have 2 other medical problems.   Thanks Buddy 49

[Willy50]

I wanted to provide the actual links to the news stories BUT they are now dead/inactive.
I copied the links and articles though.

http://www.hcvanonymous.com/SMF/index.php?topic=2135.0

The issues is that yes, indeed sewage workers can be infected by any number of diseases.  IF one was working in the vicinity of a hospital one could possibly come in contact with many more types of virii, bacteria, blood etc and in higher amounts than in some other locations.  Raw blood can certainly go into the sewer.  I think the question might be if you have to prove you contracted it from sewage or if the city had to prove that you didn't.  Since as a worker you may be continually in an "at risk" environment I think that you should argue that the city or whomever you work for needs to provide some screening to monitor the employees health and potential risk from the work environment.  I would imagine that there are legal precedents here.  The employer has to provide a safe work place and precautions against potential dangers and education about those risks.

Tell em there's "virons" in the work environment.

Good luck,
willy

[Deb_c430]

so agrees, need to get on some treatment plan.

[nygirl7]

Thanks for you'r input.I don't know how I got the hep c.What I'm tryingn to figure out is if the exposure to the sewage could have aggrvated my hep c.Or if I was exposed to the hep b
----------

If you have hepc it wouldn't be 'aggravated' by being re-exposed to it.  However you could potentially get a different STRAIN of it and have two (like I did).  But once you have it you have it..............it's not like it gets 'worse' or something.

Good thing you have an attorney working on your SS because most people with hep aren't qualified at all to receive the benefits. Not even while we are treating the disease and feeling fully MISERABLE.  You'll need to have a lot of paperwork testifying to the fact you are just really that ill and then prove it all out.  Since it's not really contagious (except blood to blood transmission) there is no reason not to work and live a full life.  I worked all 72 weeks of treatment.

If you truly don't want to give it to someone then you'd best start treatment - it's the only way to kill the disease..

Contacting hepc via sewage does seem very very extremely highly unlikely considering it is a blood bourne disease and barely at all contagious even sexually.  Also it doesn't matter where you got it just that you know you did so you can treat it and beat it.

[Buddy49]

Thanks for you'r input.I don't know how I got the hep c.What I'm tryingn to figure out is if the exposure to the sewage could have aggrvated my hep c.Or if I was exposed to the hep b.I have imunity to a.I see my prymary doctor on Thursday and I was told by my Gastro. doctor to be tested.         Today I  go to S.S. and apply for disability.I have an Attorny working on this with me.     My employer at the time was well aware of my situation.When I voiced my concerns he just ignored them.I have just about what I need From my doctor in terms of filing a Workmens Comp Claim.      Thanks Buddy 49

[Buddy49]

Thanks for the input; At this time all is welcomed.Although I suspect that I have had the virous for a long time, dealing with it is something new. I haven't worked  since right after the exposure..I see my primary Doctor this week,and am going to ask to be tested for hep B. In august the test was nagative.The exposure happend in October.I'm 57 years old,and have been a dump truck driver and heavy equitment operator all my life.I just can't see myself rolling down the Interstate at65-75 M.P.H. any longer trying to make split decisions anymore.I don't want to hurt any one.This week I file for disability.              As I said I have been searching the net to see if there are any legal battles like mine on record,All the ones I find are about people trying to prove they contracted it from raw sewage.the ones I have read all seem to loose.I think that is all BULL.There is no doubt in my mind that you can contract it this way.I'm not trying to say that.If any one out there happens to see anynthing about being aexposed to sewage after the diagnoses please let me know.I expressed my concerns to my Boss that day and he just didn't care.If I can find any sound evidence that it excellerated my hepC or that I was exposed to B I plan on filing a Workmans Comp. case also.  Thanks Buddy 49

[dointime]

Your liver is what processes the toxins that enter your body.  If the hepC has impaired your liver function then the toxic material from the raw sewage could literally poison you.  This also applies to people working with toxic chemicals.  Avoid any toxic substances if you can, including fumes that you could breathe in.  If you can't avoid toxins in your work then you need to get protective clothing, maybe also a face mask.  

Hope this helps,
dointime

[Willy50]

Well...... here's the deal.  You have hep c.  You may not be able to prove it either how or when you got it.  I'd recommend getting a biopsy.  That may suggest whether you got it recently or 30 years ago...... but it really can't be conclusive.  There are no tests I'm aware of that will answer the "how and when".  

Go I think you could get HCV from sewage; yes in certain circumstances.  You may read that there aren't proven cases but how would one "prove" that kind of transmission?

You will certainly be able to find some workers who were exposed to I believe Hep A who worked in the sewers.  So far as Hep C goes the source would remain the same as would the avenue of infection; for instance an open cut.

IF you were to contract either Hep A or B while infected with HCV it is a far more serious situation.  Once you get tested and innoculated you should be in better shape.  

The A and B shots are painless and I've never heard of anyone having side effects from them, at least not yet.  You might also consider getting a test that follows innoculations to make sure that you have antibodies

Take care..... and don't forget to also back off on alcohol use as well as use of painkillers and other hepatoxic substances.

best,
Willy

[desrt]

Have you been checked for hepatitis A and B? If you have either of these two on top of HCV it can be extremely serious.
Hepatitis A is easily contracted from sewage, B or C not so much