so i got tested today....

[worriedman24]

for hiv and hep c.  the hiv was a 20 minute wait, i dont hav it!
before the hep c test, the doc asked why i wanted to get tested,   i said becuase ive shared nose straws with people, and iv shared drinks with some people who hav hep c, i kno  u cant get by sharing drinks but i thought the nose straws was a risk factor.
the doc said i hav as good of a chance of getting hit by a meteorite as i do of having hep c. he said if it were him he would not even bother getting tested but i insited based on the fact that i heard its possible to get by sharing nose straws,     i get the results next wednessday.

[FlGuy]

Not to cause you any undue worry before next Wednesday.  But, you doc brought it up
http://www.shortnews.com/shownews.cfm?id=42219&CFID=12278951&CFTOKEN=48993108

[Cindy10]

That was to funny!!!

[Myown]

once you get the good news live a happy clean life! good luck!

[Myown]

yes that was funny!!

[mkeela]

You guys, this was taken from the following page at John Hopkins... everything I have seen on ways to contract Hep C, "straw sharing" is listed...please read the 4th paragraph listed as ways Hep C is transmitted. It is serious...I am so glad you have taken the test worried. Way to go. Now just don't do it again!!!!!!!! Mequila.


http://www.hopkinshospital.org/health_info/Infectious_Diseases/reading/hep_c.html

However, authorities estimate that more than 3.5 million other Americans have also been infected, contracting the virus in one of the following ways:

Blood transfusions before June 1992. Before then, there was no reliable way to screen blood and blood products for hepatitis C. Anyone who received a blood transfusion, blood products for diseases such as hemophilia, or renal hemodialysis before the safeguards were put in place is at risk.

Intravenous drug use -- even once. In some communities, 95 percent of intravenous drug users are infected. If you have ever used intravenous drugs, get tested.

Cocaine use. Persons who sniffed cocaine through a straw also may be at risk. That's because cocaine can cause microscopic bleeding in the nose; the virus could have been deposited on the end of the straw by one person, and sniffed in along with cocaine by anyone else using the straw.

Sexual partners. In a long-term monogamous relationship, there is a very low risk of transmission -- less than 5 percent. The CDC does not recommend using any special precautions or changing sexual behavior if you are in a long-term monogamous relationship. However, sexual partners should be tested.

[jmjm530]

Sounds like you're going to sail right through this situation -- as long as stay indoors and avoid meteorites, that is. Just lay off the drugs and nose straws and life should be just peachy. I pretty much agree with your doc but do post the results of your test.

-- Jim

[nobhillhepc]

Hi, you are probably fine, but yes get the test just for peace of mind, Hep C occasionally can be transmitted by sharing straws I believe, when drugs are involved with people who have Hep C it is usually due to sharing needles,
Marcus

[Cindy10]

Not to make you worry, I know every says you can't get it from a straw, I know a few people that got it that way, no needles, but snorting. So for future safety leave the drugs alone.

[Cindy10]

I definately agree, not sure why everyone thinks unlikely to get it that way, it is listed as possible mode of transmission in everything I have ever read.

[nygirl7]

The doctor said there is no doubt in the world that is how I got it.

Back in the early 80s I snorted a LOT of coke with a LOT of people who DEFINITELY HAD HCV (most are now dead of OD or AIDS).  I guess I was lucky.

But - I know that I got it this way however...I snorted a LOT of coke ALL of the time EVERY DAY with people who had it.

It wasn't a casual weekend thing AT ALL. I was a complete addict who had no desire for sobriety at all. The only desire I had back then was MORE coke.

You can get it that way because I definitely did.

[najeen]

I think people go into denial over transmission methods sometimes. Snorting cocaine is one of the methods and I am surprised a doctor would say what was said.  

[Tater-ToT]

Hummm,
Well I either got it from a nose straw, or a blood transfusion I got in the early 80's...

I realise that chances are more PROBABLE that I got it with the blood transfusion as they did not test for it back then... but I never ruled out the nose straw...

I mean I only got 1 unit of blood 1 time in my entire life... but I can't count how many straws I ever had up my nose in those wild days!

IMHO... I don't think it should matter HOW We Got It... nor should a Dr Question as to WHY an individual wants to get tested... It Doesn't/Shouldn't Matter!
;)

[GoofyDad]

Can you corroborate the studies that show a direct corellation between straws up your nose and _______ up your _________ ?(you get to fill in the blanks for us)

Anyway, other than dentists, nail clippers, and the occaisional shared toothbrush, the old toot-a-roo was my only risk factor. That and an unexplained youthful attraction to biker chicks.