Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

Risk?

Hello, thank you all for your help, I have a few questions to ask regarding possible risks.  Please give me your advice on this.

1. I was picking up trash on a construction site the other day and I picked up a board with spit on it and it got on my fingers. I have some small cuts and some dry cracked skin. I was not bleeding at all. Is there a risk from this?

2. I had a new cut on my finger maybe 10 minutes old that was NOT bleeding anymore and I pumped gas and opened the door at the gas station etc touching things with that finger. I am not sure what is on the door handles etc. what is my risk from something like this?

3. Is kissing or sharing a drink or food proven to be a risk for HCV infection?


Thank you so much everyone.
26 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
338734 tn?1377160168
Still, the first answer was definitely the best, and the only one needed!
Helpful - 0
1431734 tn?1421011671
on the germ theory; purses on bathroom floors, then movie floors, theater floors, restaurant floors....then we bring them home and put on the kitchen counter or dining table! eeewww
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I guess the same as the person that goes to many dr. until one finally says."ok you have what you say you think you have " !
Helpful - 0
419309 tn?1326503291
copy posted:
"you would think they could have done a little research on their own first ... Then come here maybe to get some questions answered that maybe they couldn't find..."
--------
There's the rub!
They've searched all over for the answer they're looking for, haven't found it, and hope to find someone here to validate their fears.  These questions persist because there are people who persist in searching of answers they haven't received yet (for good reason).
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I tend to think it's not only or necessarily that the site is well-known but that MedHelp has been effective in implementing strategies to make content searchable.  Just a theory.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I think a lot of it has to do with MH being such a well known site that google search comes up first when people include HCV in the search. So we are lucky enough to get asked the questions first :)
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I agree with what you say 100%,what I find a little confusing tho. is if they can find their way to this sight you would think they could have done a little research on their own first on trans. Then come here maybe to get some questions answered that maybe they couldn"t find.   Just saying...
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
lets try and remember that most of the people asking these questions have mental problems like obsessive compulsive disorders.

Like I have said many times before, if the government would spend some money on educating people about HCV then these questions would be asked less often ! It would also stop the stigma attached to HCV.

Unfortunately the only way I see politicians lobbying for this is if some of them or their family members find out they have HCV. Then and only then will they find money for it !!!
Helpful - 0
1504401 tn?1387565861
I have a pop up container of bleach based/ antibacterial towelettes for my Guests to use, or me after them! so they don't get me sick.  Otherwise... I have had Hep C for 38 years.  I have been married twice.  Neither spouse nor my son (now 26) have Hep, nor do any family members or friends that lived with me.

I had full blown jaundice back in 72 while I was in the hospital (transfusions) and was put in isolation for 6 months.  Totally unecessary.  

I've followed normal procedure for germs...don't share eye makeup with girlfriends, have your own pair of Tweezers, Toe/Nail Clippers, and Never share razors.  

Hope that helps  :)
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Don't forget the germs on the toilet handle flusher, as I use my foot on public ones, and us girls have learned to aim and pee over the bowl. Oh and door knobs, remote controls. Here's one, watch people wash their hands, then turn off the water with their cleans hands, then reach for the door handle-ug, then sit down at the restaurant table and eat the bread with their hands before dinner. Mayb we all shud carry Lysol wipes-everywhere we go?? Too bad my skin is so dried out already, be like pouring acid on me-lmao
Helpful - 0
1225178 tn?1318980604
Thanks for the link... I'll check it out.

Diane
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Trinity:


Don"t ya just long for the days when all you had to worry about was transfusions and sticking needles in your arm! :)
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Oh willbb, I could tell you some stories.  We've run the gamut from fish bones to car tires.  It's always the same whenever we say no risk.....that's when the what if scenarios start.  I have no inclination to expound on anything after that.
Helpful - 0
1491755 tn?1333201362
Not to be argumentative but (lol), Dr Hook seems to be pretty respected in his field (infectious disease). Dr of the year 2002-2006 in the US. But anyway here is the original thread.
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/HIV-Prevention/HIV--Hep-C-and-cocaine-straws/show/645032

Maybe HCV is easier to get with IV drugs because it's injected directly into the bloodstream. I don't presume to know, just passing along info from someone that knows far more than I ever will.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
To; Diane    We could copy and paste

Don:t shake hands,don"t fight (esp. if the other person spits,) don"t get a haircut, don"t go to Asian massage parlors,don"t get a haircut, don"t let your thingy get bruised, don"t open car doors, don"t turn on light switches  . If folks would just stop all this stupid behavior  we could wipe out this disease in no time flat!! :)

WILL
Helpful - 0
1491755 tn?1333201362
Just thought I'd post what Dr. Hook had to say about it.  I knew cocaine nasal was a possibility but I never heard anyone describe how much blood had to be present.  So if that much blood has to be present when you jam a straw up your nose.  It be tough to figure touching a gas pump without any blood on it could cause Transfer Hep C.

Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Ah, you're catching on.  Don't worry, it only took me about three years to pick up on that one.  Shuts it down quite nicely.  Can't dispute advise to get tested.  
Helpful - 0
1225178 tn?1318980604
I'm beginning to think that we should answer all of the "what if" people the way you just did... it would save my poor fingers from having to write the details over and over, especially since they don't seem to read them anyhow.

Diane
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Get tested, you can never be too careful.
Helpful - 0
1225178 tn?1318980604
"Just to make sure you understand completely. The virus, which is in an infected person's blood has to get inside of your blood stream"

I really can't figure out what you aren't getting here.

Is the blood on your finger your blood, or the person who pumped gas before you? Did you cut yourself on the gas pump that had their blood on it? If not, the answer is NO.

Diane
Helpful - 0
1225178 tn?1318980604
Hate to tell you this, but people who snort cocaine for a few days in a row... like I did when I was young and stupid, get a very raw nasal membrane. So raw that it often bleeds after a sneeze. People who are wanting to get a rush aren't often concerned about placing the straw very carefully into their nose... they can miss-judge the distance to the mirror and easily bump it pushing the straw in farther than they meant to. If you needed so much blood that you could see it, all of the people who got infected by IV use would be perfectly healthy because the amount of stuff left inside of a syringe after rinsing with water would be a lot less than the amount of blood on that straw that my fellow snorter had just passed to me.

Someone who has never been there like the doctor you site has no idea how things work.

Sorry,
Diane

That's my take on it anyhow
Helpful - 0
1491755 tn?1333201362
Regarding cocaine transmission;

by Edward W Hook, MD, Oct 02, 2008 06:22PM
We can deal with these questions on this site.  Short answer- there is little to worry about and I would not recommend testing for either hepatitis C or HIV.

Longer explanation.  For both HIV or hepatitis C to be transmitted by sharing a straw (or rolled up bank note) for cocaine ingestion would require someone before you to contaminate the straw in a major way with visible blood and then for the straw to be stuck into your nose so vigorously that it lead to introduction of the contaminated blood into your circulation.  It would require an infected straw partner, a substantial (visible) amount of blood on the straw and for you to jam it though your mucosal surface, drawing blood.  While theoretically possible, this simply has never been definitively reported and if it was, would be extraordinarily rare.  Your risk is so low that I would not recommend concern or testing for either infection.

Final comment.  Both the strength and the weakness of the internet is the large amount of information, right and wrong, that can be found on it.  When looking for information of this sort, go with known sources whenever possible, as you infer you have done.,  Hope this helps.  EWH  

Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Diane12855, What if i seen no blood on my finger after doing the gas pump etc. Should I still be worried.
Helpful - 0
1225178 tn?1318980604
Just to make sure you understand completely. The virus, which is in an infected person's blood has to get inside of your blood stream. Yes, if an infected person was bleeding, and their blood got onto something that you were going to touch, there is a time frame (can't remember exactly what that is today...brain fog) in which the virus does survive outside of the body BUT........... While it is still alive, it has to get into your blood stream. It doesn't go through the skin, it can't get in through your digestive system, it doesn't go in through scabs. Your have to provide a passage into the bloodstream by making yourself bleed... at the same time you were touching something that may be infected.

So........... put something on your open and bleeding wounds and you don't have anything to worry about in the respect of accidental exposure.

BTW also you don't want to stick needles into yourself, share straws with others while snorting coke or anything else that makes the inside of your nose raw, stab a nail into yourself that has just been pulled out of an infected person... just to be on the safe side.

Diane
Helpful - 0
2
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Hepatitis C Community

Top Hepatitis Answerers
317787 tn?1473358451
DC
683231 tn?1467323017
Auburn, WA
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Answer a few simple questions about your Hep C treatment journey.

Those who qualify may receive up to $100 for their time.
Explore More In Our Hep C Learning Center
image description
Learn about this treatable virus.
image description
Getting tested for this viral infection.
image description
3 key steps to getting on treatment.
image description
4 steps to getting on therapy.
image description
What you need to know about Hep C drugs.
image description
How the drugs might affect you.
image description
These tips may up your chances of a cure.
Popular Resources
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Condoms are the most effective way to prevent HIV and STDs.
PrEP is used by people with high risk to prevent HIV infection.