Std-hep b

[Aab1]

Hi doctor's-
I have a question which is probably a little over the top but perhaps an explanation may help clear up any apprehension-anxiety that I have over the subject. After showering and toweling off at my gym I noticed there was a blood stain on the towel that was definitely not mine. My question and fear is that from reading previous questions from other members it seems clear that one cannot catch HIV or any STD for that matter. (If u could just reconfirm that for me that would be great too) but how about Hep B or Hep C? For some reason I have been concerned lately that if I had a cut and accidentally touched wet or dry blood on a toilet or any other surface for that matter that I could catch Hep B or Hep C. And since I've always wondered about this I now find myself in a situation that is kind of like this. I'm worried that if the blood on the towel was contaminated with an Std like hep b or c could I be infected if that blood touched or entered my penis hole (since I was toweling off) or if I did have open cut and that blood somehow seeped in could I be infected? I've read so many things bout hepatitis that I don't know what to believe on how it is spread. I mean can it be spread thru the environment if blood or semen got in a open cut and or can it be spread thru the environment in any way? I guess this goes for hep b and hep c and any other std for that matter.
I guess if I was properly informed instead of reading all the stuff on the internet I wouldn't be so anxious about this stuff?  If u could answer those above questions and offer an explanation that would go a long way.
Thanks

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Yes.  EWH

[Aab1]

Thank you very much. Does this answer apply to Hep B as well Doctor?

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Welcome back to the Forum.  Let me remind you that we ask clients to ask only two questions in any 6 month period and that this is your 2nd question in just over two week.  After this thread, please, no further questions until May 2014.

Your current questions appear to be a continuation of the questions you asked of Dr. Handsfield earlier this month.  The fact is that the transmission of STIs and blood born infections such as hepatitis C (hepatitis C is not an STI for heterosexual men and women who do not take part in rectal intercourse) do not occur through environmental contamination of the sort you mention, whether a contaminated toilet seat, a previously used towel or a puddle on the floor or a counter top.  These organisms begin to die soon after contact to the environment making them non-infectious, the numbers of organisms present decrease with each transfer from location to location, their transmission is facilitated by the friction of sexual activity, and they tend to "stick" to fibers and cloth.  for all of these reasons, despite the large amount of internet mythology, transmission on inanimate objects of the sort you describe does not happen.  Not only is it not described but neither of us has ever seen or heard of such a case.  To worry about such things is paranoid thinking and is not warranted.

I hope this comment resolves your continuing but unwarranted concerns.  EWH