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Would You Test?

Last Thursday I was working with an individual who is Hep C+. I do not know about his HIV status. He was using a small rag to wipe sweat off his head because it was hot. The rag fell from his shoulder and I picked it up with my fingertips to hand back to him. I'm not sure if there was blood or any other substance on it, or what I did with my fingers afterward. Nor did I check for sharp objects. The individual has a past history of intravenous drug use.

Should I get tested?
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1747881 tn?1546175878
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Avatar universal
If I were to test, would the RNA- PCR test be conclusive after 2 weeks?
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444337 tn?1428073510
We've never had protected sex.
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1747881 tn?1546175878
It's really not that amazing, hep c is a lot harder to get through sex or at all for that matter, than people think, there are several people on this board who had HCV for years and neither their spouses or children have HCV
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Avatar universal
That's amazing! Your wife is fine even if you had unprotected sex with her?
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444337 tn?1428073510
Let me give you an example, I've been with my wife for 34 years, and have had HepC for the duration. All of the things we've done with each other sexually, accidents that have caused profuse bleeding, nose bleeds, etc...and she's fine.

You don't have to worry about getting HepC from that incident. We'd have a pandemic on our hands if it was transmitted that easily.

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Avatar universal
Thanks for the response. I"m just worried there was blood on the towel that I may not have noticed.
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1747881 tn?1546175878
No, hep c is spread by blood to blood contact only if hep c were that easy to get everyone would have it

Transmission / Exposure
How is Hepatitis C spread?
Hepatitis C is usually spread when blood from a person infected with the Hepatitis C virus enters the body of someone who is not infected. Today, most people become infected with the Hepatitis C virus by sharing needles or other equipment to inject drugs. Before 1992, when widespread screening of the blood supply began in the United States, Hepatitis C was also commonly spread through blood transfusions and organ transplants.

People can become infected with the Hepatitis C virus during such activities as

    Sharing needles, syringes, or other equipment to inject drugs
    Needlestick injuries in health care settings
    Being born to a mother who has Hepatitis C

Less commonly, a person can also get Hepatitis C virus infection through

    Sharing personal care items that may have come in contact with another person’s blood, such as razors or toothbrushes
    Having sexual contact with a person infected with the Hepatitis C virus

Can Hepatitis C be spread within a household?

Yes, but this does not occur very often. If Hepatitis C virus is spread within a household, it is most likely a result of direct, through-the-skin exposure to the blood of an infected household member.

What are ways Hepatitis C is not spread?

Hepatitis C virus is not spread by sharing eating utensils, breastfeeding, hugging, kissing, holding hands, coughing, or sneezing. It is also not spread through food or water.

http://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/hcv/cfaq.htm
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