Hep B exposure through a razor at the barbershop

[veggato]

Hello,

I went to a barbershop in Ukraine. I had a slightly big pimple on the back of neck and I squeezed it in the morning. It wasn't bleeding apparently but it seemed rather irritated and red. A few hours later, I went to a barbershop to get a haircut. The hairdresser was shaving with an electric razor and the electric razor touched the pimple when he was shaving that area. As far as I'm aware it didn't cut or nick the skin but it hurt a little bit, so when I got back home I applied some alcohol on the area. I had a burning sensation. Is this considered a wound that can be susceptible to an infection? The barbershop gets clients at short intervals and they don't sterilise the razor after each client. Assuming that there was a trace of blood whether it is dried or fresh, could there be an exposure? Is it considered a risk at all in my case? Can anyone assess it? What should I get tested for and when would it be definitive? I read that this is a risk for Hepatitis B and C that's why I'm worried. Thanks in advance.

[luckyman316]

I'll answer.. yes, there might be a slight chance you can get Hep B this way. If you had an exposed cut and the barber used a non-sterilized or dirty razor and cut you with it, there is that chance especially if any other folks prior to you had the same razor used on them and they had Hep B. This is why they tell people with Hep B not to share utensils or use the same toothbrush or other bathroom items with non-infected people.

Suggestion: Get yourself tested with a Hep B Panel to verify your immunity to the disease or if you have it.

[veggato]

Thanks. Does this apply to Hepatitis C as well?

[Liverpatient]

I think this applies also to HepC as well, but it is said that HBV is more infective, for example, hbv is 100 times more infective than the AIDS virus, hiv.
Please get vaccinated against hbv if you've not done already. There is no need to risk this horrible, yet barely known hepB disease when you could prevent it by a vaccine which has been around for more than 30 years.