hep c from electric hair clippers?

[Rosyrose2016]

Hi.last month I took my 3 years old child for haircut in kids salon.he had a long scratch behind his ear which bled a little caused by electric hair clipper.
Could he catch hep c?
And is there any need for hcv rna qualitative test?
Im really worried. Thanks

[Dee1956]

Hello, just to add to the great information given.  They are required by the state to sterilize all equipment.
I only found out when I asked at my salon and was told that they have to sterilize everything.  There are many other virus's that can be transmitted with out sterilization.  The owner told me she had a long list.

[sparky43]

To add to what has already been said:

1. This was in a children's salon - the clippers had only been used on other children and very few children are Hep C positive.

2. In order for Hep C to cause an infection, in has to get into the bloodstream.  This means deep inside the body.   A surface scratch behind the ear would be bleeding outward, washing away any germs from the cut.   Cuts to the head tend to bleed a lot so even a superficial scratch can look worse than it is.

I also think this is a very low risk event.

[fretboard]

Well I don't see how your 3 year old could catch anything since he was the only person around who was bleeding.  Transmission of HepC requires blood to blood contact and there wasn't blood to blood contact.  I understand that we're talking about a child here so if you can't stop worrying about it, have him tested.  good luck!

[SurfsideGal]

I think the risk is very minimal. Even healthcare workers who are stuck with a needle from a positive patient have less than a 2% risk of getting HCV. The test is a simple blood test. If you continue to worry get him tested.