reinfection while on treatment

[rexx73]

hello there,

in the the other reinfection topic frijole wrote:

"I think the risk from razor blades and tooth brush are almost nonexistent but I do remember a member here who changed out her tooth brush every couple of weeks so she didn't reinfect herself while treating."  

is this really possible while on treatment?i can believe that once you are done with treatment that you change your blades and toothbrushs.
i mean,i use my teethbrush now for months and i was UND at week 4-12.during this time i used the same brush as before.
i often have gum bleeding,so i cant change my toothbrush every second day.
should i change my brush every time i have gum bleeding while on treatment?

another day another problem.iam so tired of this.

[James10500]

No you can not infect someone if you have achieved SVR.  But if you have the virus as a precaution you should not share a toothbrush or a razor.

[Idyllic]

I change my tooth brush once a month. I have the dental habits of a fanatic  precisely because the first time I treated ruined my teeth. Actually it probably just compounded existing problems. I did noting but go to the dentist for about two years and $40K.

Anyway, I think the question of being reinfected and changing out clippers and the like is a thought provoking one. I am not following the tone of some of these posts (????)

Ahoy ♫Don't forget to floss♪

[rexx73]

the last few postings describe very well my situation.
I have meetings with my psychiatryst but it seems to be not enough.
I will have to try things like meditation or yoga.

thanks anyway for all the good postings and opinions

[rivll]

Everyone has posted good responses to your questions. I particularly like Bovary's reply. I too, gave birth to 4 kids and nursed each baby for 2 years and none of them have any kind of hepatitis.
I tend to dwell on these worries, and rexx73, I think we all are a little afraid...but by dwelling on all the "what ifs?" you are giving power to your fears and stripping yourself of the courage to simply live.
I don't know how to tell you how to let go of your fears,but for your health and peace of mind, I recommend you find some help with it.
I wish you all the best.

[willbb]

If you are that concerned with being re-infected by using your toothbrush..where will your fear end.

Will you not go to the "dentist",get a "haircut ",have a "colonoscopy" ,an "endoscopy",any minor or major "surgery" just to name a few.

These are all rare means of infection ,however ,point being.. just living life is a risk for contraction of viral and bacterial infection from dozens of diseases

As many others have told you ..possibly time to focus more on the "positives" of treatment  rather than the "negatives" of the constant   "what ifs.

Stress may do as much or  more damage to your well being that any of the above...

Best..
Will

[Bovary73]

Yes, this is unreal...I must admit that I giggled after reading this one. If I was to be concerned about reinfecting myself aswell as all the other things to be concerned about on tx, I would go crazy...
I have given birth to two healthy children and none of them have been infected...so I can't see how my toothbrush is going to do any harm on me or anyone else.

[rexx73]

i wonder if an reinfection while treating is even possible.
would be interesting to know this.

[can-do-man]

This is unreal, don't ya think there would be a warning from our doctors if this was possible? Or maybe a reseacher, CDC, anybody?... People trust their doctors but yet think they would be this stupid???

[rexx73]

youre right,but i think the risk for an reinfection or even to infect other people when you are UND is near zero.

[nygirl7]

Well technically UND is not SVR and you can't be sure you are truly UND but I've never in all my years on here heard of anyone ever being 'reinfected' in this way.

[rexx73]

so that mean on teethbrushs no longer than 4 days?

and about change toothbrush every day,once you know your UND why have to change every time you bleed on your gum or teeths,when there are no virons in your blood to infect?

[hrsepwrguy]

Hepatitis C Virus Can Survive in Syringes Up to 2 Months under Favorable Conditions

     SUMMARY: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) can survive under certain conditions for prolonged periods in syringes used to inject drugs

http://www.hivandhepatitis.com/2010_conference/croi/docs/0223_2010_b.html .

The Hepatitis C virus can survive outside the body at room temperature, on environmental surfaces, for at least 16 hours but no longer than 4 days

http://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/C/cFAQ.htm .

[rexx73]

@james,

i found that infos on a german website,but here they say about the same.

http://www.hivandhepatitis.com/2010_conference/croi/docs/0223_2010_b.html

[James10500]

So the best thing to do regarding toothbrushes is have one for each day, this would ensure any viron would be dead and reinfection impossible.

[James10500]

How long does the Hepatitis C virus survive outside the body?

The Hepatitis C virus can survive outside the body at room temperature, on environmental surfaces, for at least 16 hours but no longer than 4 days

http://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/C/cFAQ.htm

[James10500]

i found out that the hep-c viron can survive outside the body maximum 30 days when its 20 grad celcius or 70 fahrenheit,.at 4 grad celcius or 39 grad fahrenheit up to 150 days

Can you please post a link to this information,

[rexx73]

I'm just angry about myself,why I didn't change the brush as i became UND.the razors and nail clippers I changed.
@ AK hepper,
did you use your brush already as you started tx?

[AKHepper]

you could always bleach it. I haven't changed mine and I'm still UNDy at 24 weeks.

[Advocate1955]

rexx73, you have to try to relax and stop thinking about all of these "what ifs".  Imagine all of the people who have achieved SVR and did not change their toothbrush after every use...
Advocate1955

[rexx73]

i found out that the hep-c viron can survive outside the body maximum 30 days when its 20 grad celcius or 70 fahrenheit,.at 4 grad celcius or 39 grad fahrenheit up to 150 days.

so it should not be possible that i reinfected me in last weeks,because of the temperature in my bathroom.
if there  would have been some virons when i still was detectable,they died after 30 days and i was und at week 4+12,

[rivll]

Lol. Saying it that way makes it seem absurd. But still....?

[frijole]

I still only change out my tootbrush every 3 months or so when I go to the DDS.  I do remember the woman who changed out her brush every week.  She also shaved her legs every day, even though no hairs grew - said it was habit.  I thought it was a little compulsive.

If you haven't changed since you became UND, go ahead and change.  If not, why haven't you already reinfected yourself.  I really think risk is very minimal

frjiole

[rexx73]

Iam in week 18 now so iam UND for minimum 14 weeks.

[can-do-man]

One would have to change their toothbrush AFTER each use. Since you won't know the exact time you become und what good would waiting a week or a month do you.

Rexx you have been und for how many weeks now?? It would be impossible now.