questions about possible Hep C exposure

My partner just discovered that she has Hepatitis C. We live together. I understand that Hep C can be transmitted by sharing toothbrushes. I'm not sure if this did happen, but it potentially could have. If it did, she would have rinsed the toothbrush after using it & I would have rinsed it before putting it in my mouth. How likely is it that Hep C would have been transmitted if there was no noticable blood & toothbrush had been rinsed prior to usage?  
If likely, how soon would a test be valid?

[NYgirl]

It's very unlikely however hep c IS a VIRUS and can't be washed off of anything by rinsing.  

The odds are very very low that you would have gotten it this way - but if it's a question to you just get the simple blood test and you'll know.

Also, practice safeR sex practices and don't share razors.

It is contacted blood to blood and no other way.

[NYgirl]

PS you don't always "notice" the microdroplets of blood that would be needed - they are invisible to our eyes.

It's unlikely but see if you have been exposed since it's bothering you.

There are a LOT of ways to get this disease and most people have no idea they have it. Some never find out HOW they got it.

[gwenk]

Thanks for the info. I feel somewhat re-assured knowing that it's highly unlikely. Plus, I'm not even sure if we DID mix up toothbrushes at any point. Do you have any idea how soon a test would be valid?? We just found out about this a few weeks ago, so weren't being uber-careful up til then.

[Kalio1]

The possibility is there, but it is very small. You have a small risk in a whole host of possible exposures from having a clinical procedure done at the doctor to sharing a toothbrush. This is a very hard way to get it.

HCV is not categorized as an STD, but there is a small risk of contracting it that way. In a 10 year study of partners who did not have it living with a partner who did, not one partner "caught" Hep C from the other via ANY possible transmission mode. Im sure they shared toothbrushes and other remote possible modes of transmission and also had sex during that 10 years. The most likely way to get this by far is through IV injection. Either through illegal drug use or through a medical administration of blood products prior to 1992. This is not to say you can't pick it up other places. Toothbrush transmission is "highly unlikely" but possible.

It is a blood to blood virus, you have to share blood to get it. Meaning get her blood into your bloodstream via an open wound or through IV use or something. I'm married, my husband is negative.

[gwenk]

OK..feeling even better now. Gotta love the CDC & their predictions of doom.  

I'll still get tested, but have more information so won't be panicked about it in the meantime. We can just concentrate on making sure that M has the healthcare she needs.

[gwenk]

yes..she just found out a few weeks ago. She'd gotten it thru a blood transfusion in the late 80's (we think). She apparently has type 1/A. Her liver enzymes are OK. she's otherwise very healthy. Dr. says treatment isn't indicated at this point. She is stressing, though. The thought that she might have infected me, too, was also weighing on her. We can hopefully put that to the side, though, with the knowledge that it's highly highly unlikely.  
Thanks again for the info

[Kalio1]

Im glad to hear she is not having symptoms. Often symptoms indicate an advance in liver damage, though not always.

It is a big decision, did the doctor go over all the implications of being Hepatitis C positive with her? She mgiht want to consider all the possible ramifications of this disease on her health. It is not a "liver disease" but rather an immune system disease, a blood disease. It puts you at a much higher risk for certain OTHER illnesses and cancers. She needs to weigh all the facts before deciding. It sounds like she has time to gather info. and educate herself and make an informed decision but the only true measure of liver damage is through a biopsy. There are a few up and coming noninvasive biopsy methods but they are not readily available so for now biopsy remains the "gold standard" keep in mind it is a "silent killer" disease meaning it will not show symptoms or make the patient feel bad at all so they are not alerted to the fact they even have it. She might want to see a liver specialist, Heptologist and have some further evaluation done.

Im sure it scared her, it is a scary thing to find out but the more she learns the hopefully she can manage that fear and mitigate it with knowledge. Lots of doctors are not up to date on this disease arena. Changes happen very rapidly in how to approach treating it and what it is recommended she do should she decide not to treat but to "watch and wait" instead.

There are a lot of things to consider. Another thing to consider is that as liver damage increases, your chances of clearing the virus with treatment decrease so treating PRIOR to damage progressing inproves success rates.

Here is some info. she might want to read. I notice they don't mention DIabetes in this article, but your risk for Diabetes goes up substantially if you are Hep C positive.
http://www.hcvadvocate.org/hcsp/articles/Bonkovsky-2.html

[Kalio1]

I know it's just AWFUL and promotes fear and stigma. I think they do that to CYA any possible liability or something. It really should be improved. I think most people check there when they first become aware of Hep C and then they read that and freak out!

Good luck to you and to her! Did she just find out, is she feeling ok? Do you know wwhat type she has?

[HCA]

Just popped into this thread to tell you that I have had a 6 week pcr.
The story so far is baseline 805,000
4 weeks treatment 495
6 weeks treatment 29
Reasonable chance of und at 12 weeks I would think.
My riba is just 600mg per day at the the moment hgb 8.75,but they are changing the procrit for Aranesp,a pegylated alternative made by Amgen.They have also put me on iron 600mg ferrous sulphate and are checking my iron reserves.
Hopefully these measures will enable me to get the riba back up.
Did they resolve your dermatology problems yet?

[chcnme]

Hi gwenk. Sorry she has been diagnosed.  It can be scary.  I don't want to jump right on the "no alcohol" wagon here, but - I guess her doc did tell her that if she is drinking, she needs to stop ??  (and I said that just in case she or you don't know what alcohol can do to Hep C - cause it to get a lot worse).  
It's good that her enzymes are OK now.

I stressed so bad when I was diagnosed.  I had had the virus for over 25 years when I was diagnosed  (I got mine back in the mid70s'), and so - the first thing I thought of was WHO was in danger.  My son -- born to me when when I was positive, he nursed, we lived in the same house, etc.  I thought back on all the times he COULD have contracted it  (toothbrushes, razors), but he didn't.  He was in his early 20's when I found out - and so 20+ years of household exposure (not taking precautions) and he is fine.  Then there was the boyfriend who lived with me (and in the last year of our six year live-in relationship I had bloody gums and he had a full mouth extraction getting ready for dentures - i.e. blood to blood possibility big time).  He tested negative (twice).  My exhusband is OK.  My parents are OK  (I contracted this virus when I was 15, and so they were exposed to me during the acute phase and the recovery and since then, too -- my whole life -- and they are fine.)

Glad you found this forum.  It's a great place.  Tell her not to be too scared.  Has she had a biopsy?   If not, her doctor will probably get one (hopefully). I think everyone needs one.  If she thinks she got this from a tranfusion in the 80's, well - that would mean she's 20 some years into this.  It's an adjustment, for sure, living with Hep C.  I hope she is feeling OK!  

Best of luck. Happy Holidays.

[Kalio1]

Just wanted to add alcohol IS a very bad idea to consume when you have Hep C but also it is very very important to maintain good liver friendly nutrition habits with this disease too. Poor nutritional habits can contribute to liver damage as can over the counter meds like tylenol, aleve, naprosyn, etc. so she should be careful with or eliminate those too.

[gwenk]

wow! great information. Her Dr. has mentioned the liver biopsy to her, but she's dead set against it at this point. I'm totally pushing for it, but it needs to be her decision. She doesn't drink at all now, so that won't be an issue.
Thank you all for the info,
Gwen