Snake bit me, then he bit my husband right after me.

I know this sounds STRANGE, but can you believe it? Our snake (a very small milk snake) bit our little girl, then when we went to help, he bit me, then without thinking my hubby took him and was bit. (Didn't hurt, very small teeth). Before we all knew it, we had a little blood here and there, and we started thinking about the Hep C I have. Luckily our child was bit first in the scenario. Now I'm worried about hubby. The bites were about a minute apart.

[thatgirl67]

I feel better. It was a really hot day and I think everybody is extra moody (even the snake I guess!)
Needle stick % info sounds really good. That snake blew the best thing in his little life... me. Now he will have to rely on hubby ONLY!
Tx for three months, virus is undectable right now, so I guess that makes me feel a whole lot better too! I have been so freaked out by my blood for so many years it never occurred to me that viral load is relevant. Thanks all.

[friole]

I don't think it takes much blood to transfer hepatitis C.  I also think it takes about 60 days before the antibodies can be detected so a test right now might not do much good.  Do watch for signs of acute hepatitis in your hubby (and the snake?) - yellow eyes, yellow skin, swollen liver -- I really don't know - you should google acute hepatitis and see what they are.

I do thing the chances are slim, but they are there.  SHame on that snake.  He must have been hungry or something.

[jmjm530]

I think I read that the odds of HCV being transmitted through a needle stick is suprisingly only around 3%. This study suggests even less: http://tinyurl.com/ft2y6 Given the snake had smaller teeth, needlestick injuries are the closest I can think of to compare data to. BTW you didn't mention if you're on treatment or not and what is your viral load is? If you have a non-detectible viral load I would imagine the odds would approach zero. In any event, speak to your doctor, and as suggested, probably not a bad idea to have your husband tested periodically with the last test maybe a year out. As for the snake --
I hear they make nice wallets :)

I'm sure things will be fine. All the best.

-- jim

[goldyn]

That is such a freaky thing to happen, I really do not know what the percentage rate of your husband getting infected would be, i know there is prolly a very small one, and maybe just call the doc and see what he says, i know i used my moms blood sugar tester  right before her one time before i knew i had hcv, so when i found out which was a year later, we had her check her blood for the virus and she was negative Thank God...
Thank goodness your li girl was the first one bitten i know thats a relief.....

[jmjm530]

Terrific that you have no virus but I'd still get your husband tested.

[Mister beagle bailey]

I think chance of hubby getting hep C from the bite is slim.  But I would have hubby tested in 3 months just to put your mind at ease.  Hope you have a a cooler week. :)

Beagle

[Pdilly]

Oh my what a wild one.  Who would ever guess.  I know, it is one of those things that if you try and tell a few years down the line everyone is like ,,,,,sure.
Hope you have a better day.  I agree with everyone.  Wait about 3 months and have  him tested.