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Could i catch hepatitis from a tongue depressor since the doctor didn't wear gloves? and also could i catch it from flushing a public tolite?
Could i catch hepatitis from a tongue depressor since the doctor didn't wear gloves? and also could i catch it from flushing a public tolite?
I am about 99.0% doubtful of getting Hep C in this manner. An open wound being infected with another Hep C positive person's open wound then, yes, that case it would be possible. Susan400
doctors here are well aware of risks, but if a doc is simply using a tounge depressor they may skip the gloves. Wearing rubber all day can irritate the skin, and so I understand them skipping it for simple tasks. If they put their HANDS INSIDE your mouth without gloves however, I'd get a new doctor ASAP. Plus, it's ok to ask a doc why they aren't wearing gloves, or if they have washed their hands...although they might not like it....if you preface it by saying "I'm a bit of a germophobe" they tend to take it in stride and not be insulted by the question.
It's always important to TELL the doctor if you have a disease (like I do). I always tell them, so they will wash, and clean up better, and not pass my disease to another.
Ususally I get thanked for this, and lab techs thank me as well...although they do add that most people who know they have AIDS or HCV do NOT tell them. They always try to be careful of course, but they are extra careful when they know.
You really can get a lot of viruses from door handles and toilet handles including colds, flus and Hepatitis B in particular.
Getting hepatitis B from a toilet handle is quite possible. It's harder to get Hep C that way, since infected blood must enter your blood stream. However Hep B is a germ spread via human excrement, so all it takes is someone getting a little on their hand and transferring it to hard surfaces, where it can survive for a couple of weeks. Everyone coming after that touch has the chance of picking up the germs.
For many reasons it's not a good idea to handle toilet handles.
I do one of 3 things, either use my foot to flush the lever on the ones designed for that, or take a small piece of toilet paper and flush using the paper as a protector.
Same with public sinks, I use a paper towel to turn the faucet off and on, and I use my shoulder, or my coat sleeve to open restroom doors as well.
Some folks think this is phobic, but almost all colds and flus are caught by coming in contact with objects where the mucus of an infected person has been deposited.
Since most folks do rub their noses and/or put the hand to the mouth throughout the day the amount of germs on the average hand can be substantial.
The proof is in the pudding, all my friends have colds and/or flus every year, they don't do what I do when out and about...and I haven't had one cold or flu in 10 years.
Since Hep B is now epidemic, about a billion people have it, it might be wisdom to get vaccinated against that one. Especially if you live in an area with a lot of immigrants.
Generally speaking about 50% of hispanic immigrants have HBV and nearly 100% of mainland asian populace carry it as well, that's according to my doctor who said it to me again last week. Which means we need to consider protecting ourselves and our children from this virus. This is also why handwashing and good sanitation is so crucial.
It is my opinion that the reason the rate is so high in the Chinese mainland is not just that rural sanitation is subpar, but it has to do with the ancient practice of using all kinds of manure to fertilize the fields. As a rule animal manure is not the problem, it is the use of human leavings that has caused this continent wide infection.
I am currently working with our legislature to get more education into the general publics hands and minds, so that people will vaccinate, and immigrants will get tested and treated, especially if they are in a high risk group. However, since 1 in every 6 or 7 people worldwide carry the virus, and since world travel is now a common occurance, I'd say we are all at a high risk at this point.
That's probably more info than you really wanted ; )...but who knows, maybe it will help others as well.
mb
It's always important to TELL the doctor if you have a disease (like I do). I always tell them, so they will wash, and clean up better, and not pass my disease to another.
Ususally I get thanked for this, and lab techs thank me as well...although they do add that most people who know they have AIDS or HCV do NOT tell them. They always try to be careful of course, but they are extra careful when they know.
You really can get a lot of viruses from door handles and toilet handles including colds, flus and Hepatitis B in particular.
Getting hepatitis B from a toilet handle is quite possible. It's harder to get Hep C that way, since infected blood must enter your blood stream. However Hep B is a germ spread via human excrement, so all it takes is someone getting a little on their hand and transferring it to hard surfaces, where it can survive for a couple of weeks. Everyone coming after that touch has the chance of picking up the germs.
For many reasons it's not a good idea to handle toilet handles.
I do one of 3 things, either use my foot to flush the lever on the ones designed for that, or take a small piece of toilet paper and flush using the paper as a protector.
Same with public sinks, I use a paper towel to turn the faucet off and on, and I use my shoulder, or my coat sleeve to open restroom doors as well.
Some folks think this is phobic, but almost all colds and flus are caught by coming in contact with objects where the mucus of an infected person has been deposited.
Since most folks do rub their noses and/or put the hand to the mouth throughout the day the amount of germs on the average hand can be substantial.
The proof is in the pudding, all my friends have colds and/or flus every year, they don't do what I do when out and about...and I haven't had one cold or flu in 10 years.
Since Hep B is now epidemic, about a billion people have it, it might be wisdom to get vaccinated against that one. Especially if you live in an area with a lot of immigrants.
Generally speaking about 50% of hispanic immigrants have HBV and nearly 100% of mainland asian populace carry it as well, that's according to my doctor who said it to me again last week. Which means we need to consider protecting ourselves and our children from this virus. This is also why handwashing and good sanitation is so crucial.
It is my opinion that the reason the rate is so high in the Chinese mainland is not just that rural sanitation is subpar, but it has to do with the ancient practice of using all kinds of manure to fertilize the fields. As a rule animal manure is not the problem, it is the use of human leavings that has caused this continent wide infection.
I am currently working with our legislature to get more education into the general publics hands and minds, so that people will vaccinate, and immigrants will get tested and treated, especially if they are in a high risk group. However, since 1 in every 6 or 7 people worldwide carry the virus, and since world travel is now a common occurance, I'd say we are all at a high risk at this point.
That's probably more info than you really wanted ; )...but who knows, maybe it will help others as well.
mb
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