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STDs (Expert Forum)
Hepatitis C and Exposure
Answered by
University of Washington
Seattle - WA
This forum does not cover AIDS/HIV issues. This forum is for questions and support regarding STD issues such as: Chlamydia, Crabs (pubic lice scabies), Gonorrhea, Hepatitis (viral), Herpes, HPV, Molluscum Contagiosum, PID, Rectal Infections, Syphilis, Trichomonas, Warts, Yeast Infection.
IMPORTANT
This forum is limited to questions about STDs other than HIV/AIDS. For questions about HIV prevention, or if you have general questions about safe sex (e.g., condoms, how to protect yourself from HIV and STDs), please visit the HIV Prevention and Safe Sex Forum
Some of the most common types of questions concern the risk of HIV or STD after a particular sexual exposure, and about symptoms that might or might not be due to HIV. If your question is along these lines, please visit the HIV Prevention and Safe Sex Forum.
This forum is limited to questions about STDs other than HIV/AIDS. For questions about HIV prevention, or if you have general questions about safe sex (e.g., condoms, how to protect yourself from HIV and STDs), please visit the HIV Prevention and Safe Sex Forum
Some of the most common types of questions concern the risk of HIV or STD after a particular sexual exposure, and about symptoms that might or might not be due to HIV. If your question is along these lines, please visit the HIV Prevention and Safe Sex Forum.
Hepatitis C and Exposure
by Sunshine0303, Feb 11, 2007 12:00AM
I have a few questions I would like you to clear up for my own information...
1. Is Hepatitis C spread through overt blood exposure in the cases of spashes of body fluids(For instance, where you can see the blood?) I know hepatitis B is spread through body fluids but I have read hepatitis C is spread through blood. I also know hepatitis can be spread through needlesticks.
2. If you are exposed, how soon will you have symptoms or can you have symptoms right after being exposured?
I ask because I am a healthcare worker and I was curious for my own education. There are so many different sites of information on hepatitis and it can be very confusing. Thank you
1. Is Hepatitis C spread through overt blood exposure in the cases of spashes of body fluids(For instance, where you can see the blood?) I know hepatitis B is spread through body fluids but I have read hepatitis C is spread through blood. I also know hepatitis can be spread through needlesticks.
2. If you are exposed, how soon will you have symptoms or can you have symptoms right after being exposured?
I ask because I am a healthcare worker and I was curious for my own education. There are so many different sites of information on hepatitis and it can be very confusing. Thank you
Doctor's Answer
by H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D., Feb 12, 2007 12:00AM
, Feb 12, 2007 12:00AM
In general, hepatitis C transmission requires direct blood exposure. It is not an STD, so I don't keep up on the details. But if you haven't shared injection equipment with an infected person and if you're not a health care worker subject to injuries with sharp instruments, you need not worry about it. Hepatitis B is more easily transmitted and includes sex as a common route. Most infected people (with either virus) have no symptoms; the only way to be certain you aren't infected is to have blood tests at least 6-8 weeks after the last possible exposure.
You'll probably get more reliable information than I can provide from CDC (www.cdc.gov, then search for hepatitis) and from the American Liver Foundation.
Good luck-- HHH, MD
You'll probably get more reliable information than I can provide from CDC (www.cdc.gov, then search for hepatitis) and from the American Liver Foundation.
Good luck-- HHH, MD
To put it in perspective (although the experience of a single person means little), I have been a nurse for 28 years and am exposed to blood daily. My husband has also had chronic hep C for 20 years or more. We have always had unprotected sex. I have not gotten Hep C either from him, nor my job, in all that time.
If you use universal precautions at work, you should have no reason to be concerned. If you have an overt exposure, see employee health for testing. Of course, you've had your HepB series.