Transmission from a barber shop razor

[Dean525]

I just had a hair cut from the local barber shop.  At the end they used a straight razor to trim the back of my neck which they have always done in the past.  This time they nicked me and I noticed dried blood on the back of my neck when I arrived home.  I noticed they use the same razor with other people.  The person before me had his whole head shaved with the same razor and after he was done the barber put the razor in a blue solution called virucide.  It only took about 10 minutes for my hair cut and then the barber nicked me with the same razor used on other people.  

Should I be worried and be tested?  My wife works in a dental office and they use a simliar solution to clean their instruments but by law have to leave it in the solution for 24hrs and then use a heat enclave.  Should I contact the health department?      

[cajim]

Should I be worried and be tested?  My wife works in a dental office and they use a simliar solution to clean their instruments but by law have to leave it in the solution for 24hrs and then use a heat enclave.  Should I contact the health department?

--Risk low.  

[Sharp7]

The three most likely ways I got infected: doctors, dentists, barbers.
Have you been vaccinated for HepB? Did you respond to the vaccination? If so, I don't think you have to worry about HepB. You may get something else though... I don't know.

I have not allowed barbers to use blades on me - for the last 15+ years. I ask them to use a trimmer (or whatchamacallit) instead.

[Dean525]

Thanks for your inputs. When I posed the question about contacting the health department, what I meant was reporting the barber shop to the health inspectors.  Since tattoo parlors, by law, have to use disposable needles, shouldn't barbers have to use disposable razors?  

[zellyf]

Call and see what they say but I think your risk is quiet low.

[britgirl477]

Dean,
Yes it is possible to catch HBV from dentist or hairdresser or acupunturist or tattoo artist. But from what my doc told me it is quite unusual. And remember it would also require another individual WITH HBV to have used the same hairdresser as you within the last 10-14 days. Anything after that and the virus dies. I would not worry too much but go and get tested to put your mind at rest and then get vaccinated after that.
Brit

[Johnn88]

Any statistic maybe, recently this is also happen to me. Chance of 1-100% to get hepatitis with straight razor? My skin is not cut, but maybe i got some micro wound.

Thanks.