how likely is contraction

[smith15711]

I work in a group home and just found out that one of the clients has HCV.  How much do I have to worry about catching this.  The group home is just like a house. So its not exactly as santitary as a hopsital. The guy has some pimples that sometime look raw and could bleed.  I really dont know if i should worry about that sort of thing  or not. Also is there a vacinee for hcv or is it just for hbv?

[nygirl7]

I think honestly if you found out how many people you see on a daily basis that have hep you would have a heart attack.  More likely you will get it from a doctor or dentist than that poor guy who actually HAS the disease. Likely you'd get pregnant by those pimples sooner than you will catch hepc.

Wear gloves if you find the disease so truly offensive or find a different way to work. I don't mean to be rude but if you are in the healthcare field and work at a "house" you're gonna be round some sick people who might have worse than just Hepc.

[smith15711]

just an update.  This client now has dermatitis on his arms and legs that bleeds though his clothes.  He had a bunch of scabs on his harms that started bleeding.  I brushed against him and got blood on my arm. I told him to be careful with wiping his blood every where Because i have some scratches on my arm and he said its not his problem.  He dosent care. I really dont if im paranoid or not. But I think this guy would think its funny if he gave it to someone else

[fretboard]

I suggest you find another job.  If the place is so sleazy and so beneath you, then find another job.  It's that simple, even with all that, I will still pray for you.  read this, and google this, hcvadvocate.  I can't leave you with the link b/c it will be removed.  later

HCV Transmission
HCV is transmitted by direct blood-to blood
contact. Transmission routes
include sharing drug paraphernalia for
both injection and non-injection drugs
(needles, cookers, tourniquets, straws,
pipes, etc.). Needles used for tattooing,
body piercing, and acupuncture may
also spread HCV. Sharing personal items
such as razors, toothbrushes, or nail files
is a less likely, but still possible, transmission
route.
Before 1992, many people contracted
HCV through blood or blood product
transfusions. In 1992, a reliable blood
test to identify HCV antibodies became
available. Since then, the blood supply
has been screened. Today the likelihood
of contracting HCV through infected
blood is less than 0.01%. A small percentage
of people (estimated at 1–3%
for monogamous heterosexuals) may
contract HCV through unprotected sexual
activity. Among people in so-called
“high risk” groups (gay men, prostitutes,
people with multiple sex partners, people
with STDs), sexual transmission
appears to be somewhat more common.
Healthcare workers are at risk for
HCV infection because of needlestick
accidents and unavoidable situations
that may result in direct contact with
blood from an infected individual.
Perinatal transmission from mothers
with HCV to their infants before or during
birth occurs less than 5% of the time.
Whether or not transmission occurs may
depend on the presence of high levels of
HCV in the mother’s blood; mothers coinfected
with HBV or HIV are more likely
to transmit HCV to their babies. Some
studies have shown that HCV is present in
breast milk, but breast-feeding is believed
to be safe.
The transmission route for up to 10%
of individuals infected with HCV cannot
be identified. HCV is not transmitted by
casual contact such as sneezing, coughing,
hugging, or sharing eating utensils
and drinking glasses.
HCV Prevention
Do not share needles or any other drug
paraphernalia, razors, toothbrushes, clippers,
nail files, or any items that may
come in contact with blood. Make sure
that instruments used for tattooing, body
piercing, and acupuncture are properly
sterilized; most practitioners today use
disposable needles. All cuts and wounds
should be covered.
Although sexual transmission appears
to be rare, you can reduce the risk by practicing
safer sex, including the use of condoms
and barriers. According to the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),
if you are in a stable, long-term monogamous
relationship you do not need to
change your current sexual practices,
although partners should discuss safer sex
options if either partner is concerned about
transmission. If a woman has HCV, avoid
sex during monthly periods. Proper dental
hygiene can prevent bleeding gums, another
possible transmission route.
Notify your doctor, dentist, and other
healthcare professionals if you have HCV.
Healthcare workers should observe standard
universal precautions when dealing
with blood. If you are a woman with HCV,
talk to your doctor if you are thinking about
becoming pregnant.
Do not share needles or any other
drug paraphernalia, razors, toothbrushes,
clippers, nail files, or any
items that might contain blood.
HCV Transmission and Prevention
4 Hepatitis C Support Project
any people report few or no symptoms during the acute
phase of HCV infection. Most people with chronic HCV
also do not have symptoms and lead relatively normal
lives. However, others experience mild flu-like symptoms
including nausea, fatigue, fever, headaches, loss
of appetite, abdominal pain, and muscle or joint pain. Over
time (often years or even decades) people with chronic HCV
may develop various symptoms related to liver damage.
Chronic HCV is also associated with a wide variety of related
conditions.
M
Cirrhosis is a process in which liver cells
are damaged or killed and replaced with
scar tissue. Extensive scar tissue formation
impairs the flow of blood through the liver,
causing more liver cell death and a loss of
liver function.
Compensated Cirrhosis means that the liver
is heavily scarred but can still perform
most functions; people with compensated
cirrhosis exhibit few or no symptoms.
Decompensated Cirrhosis means that the
liver is extensively scarred and unable to
function. People with decompensated
HCV Disease Progression
A
Symptoms of HCV
fter exposure to HCV, the window period usually lasts

[smith15711]

2% dosent sound reasuring at all. I just don't like the fact that there is such a lack of hygiene among the clients thats what worries me

[meki]

Hmmmm...

Well if it's any consolation - probably not... But living in those conditions it would not be unwise to get tested every couple of years.

As far as the chances of you catching it --- less than probably 2%

I had wild sex with hubby during every point of the year - was in a bloody car accident --- lived with my family --- without knowing I was infected --- and NO ONE in my family has HCV.

Meki

[smith15711]

Well thanks yeah Ive gotten bit through my pants so it didnt leave a scar but I had a huge  bruise. Im not going to worry if I dont  have to ,so thanks for the info

[alagirl]

generally I'd hate to recommend that someone ask someone how they got hepc. It's kind of like asking, how did you get HIV... not a very polite question.  Smith, nobody here on the forum knows of even ONE instance where someone has EVER EVER gotten hepc in a situation where the two people were sharing the same living situation, zits notwithstanding.  That's the reason people are telling you to relax.  Also, people who get hepc and find out right away can get rid of the disease with prompt treatment about 95% of the time, if not higher.  If you ever have an "encounter" where there is risk (like the two of you shoot up cocaine using the same needle), then you should go get tested.  

It reminds me, I used to work in a residential treatment facility in college.  A girl there bit me so hard I had a scar on my arm shaped like a set of teeth that didn't go away for a year.  Great conversation starter though...

[JennyPenny]

The virus can live outside the body for approximately 4 days in a perfect environment. You are more at risk from opening door handles, using shopping carts, touching a library book, etc., etc. Can you see how silly it is to worry about these hypothetical situations? You are over-worrying.

[fretboard]

Maybe you could just ask him how he got it, I wouldn't get offended if someone asked me.  I may not tell them the truth b/c it's really nobody's business, however if they were truly interested I may tell them.  Now if they came at me and said hey "I'm worried I'm gonna catch something from you I may tell them to f-off.  I think you can google your question and get a decent answer.  Maybe someone on this forum will answer your question.  I was kidding when I said to keep your distance, I wrote LOL.  My first answer still stands, don't worry be happy.  If you don't get an answer read the archives as I remember someone else with an infected carpet question.        

[smith15711]

I guess I mean he pops his face keep my distance because why?  Im going to treat him with respect but I dont have any info all I read in a med book is that hepatitis can live outside the body for a very long time. And he also has lots of open wounds from his pimples. And yesterday I did yard work at the group home and cut my hand.  Then I used all the same door handles he did.  I wont worry about it if i don't have to but after I got home I realized what had occurred. I mean how did he get it?

[fretboard]

Don't worry, be happy.  Now you have gone to hypethetical situations, the group homes that I've come across are all positive in nature.  Also I would think that he is there to stay and I hope that these are just legitimate questions and that you are not stigmatizing the kid.  Others shouldn't use his personal hygiene products or use drugs with him, but other than that I don't think you have much to worry about.  When he pops his face, keep your distance. LoL  I suggest you talk to your boss or a doctor.  Of course if someone has a better answer for you, I'm sure they will chime in.    
God Bless

[smith15711]

It seems like a lot of the clients have acne. I was wondering lets say he picks a pimple and gets blood on a door handle and then another client gets that blood on his hand and picks one of his pimples.  Whould that be an issue. These people are not very sanitary. a lot of them refuse to shower. I heard hep c can live outside the body for long periods of time

[JennyPenny]

There is no vaccine for hepatitis C, only hepatitis A & B. Working in a group home you probably should be vaccinated. Hepatitis C is transmitted through blood. The patient's blood would have to enter your bloodstream. Hepatitis C is not transmitted in a living situation. If the gentleman bleeds make sure the person who cleans the blood spill wears gloves. Also, no one should use his personal hygiene things such as his toothbrush or razor. Other than that there is no danger at all.