How much at risk?

[smith15711]

I need to ask this question again...  How at risk am I with being exposed to someone with hcv if I live in the same house.  But they are mentally disabled and pick scabs that bleed at least twice a week.  They are not aware of it.  They then get blood on door handles, in the refrigerator, on the couch ect.  Because of the constant exposure which isnt direct I would think my risk is higher.  lets say there is a couple of drops of blood on a door handle ,which has happened now repeatedly and I then rub my eye or it gets in one of my cuts which I have many from doing yard work is there enough blood to be at risk?  Does the virus die once it leaves the body?

[Trinity4]

Just want to share this with you - not minimizing your situation but over the years there have been lots of incidences where my blood has been exposed to others in my household.  Ripped three fingers open with a tab from a ham can while perparing dinner one evening and slung blood in both my children's faces who were standing next to me.  At some time or another I'm quite sure we inadvertently swapped toothbrushes. Hubby and I never used protection when having sex.  Bumps, bangs, scaps -  all the things that happen in a family.  Three years ago my husband and I were in a very bad car accident and I lay on the gurney next to him holding his hand -  both of us cut and covered in blood.  I've probably had this disease for 30 years - didn't know it but no one except me has hepc.  Not to say transmission wasn't possible in any of those situations, but in did not occur.  
Trinity

[Trinity4]

It sounds like you are perhaps a caretaker in a house for people with mental disabilities?
If that is the case, and you need your job, take extra precautions not to come in direct contact with that person's blood.  As you stated, they can't comprehend they have the disease so the burden falls on you to ensure you do not directly expose yourself to their blood.  If you have no open sores, then it's not a concern.   If you know there is blood on the doorknobs, clorox them.  The virus can live on surfaces up to 4 days if memory serves me.  Talk to the individual and try to make them understand they can't pick scabs because it's not sanitary.  Why does this person have scabs all the time anyway?  Maybe someone should take them to the doctor so the condition can be cleared up.  There are a lot of steps you can do to avoid exposure since you are the one with the good judgement.  I see two options here -  either change your circumstances or change the way you think - either way you minimize your concerns.
Trin  

[Bill1954]

There’s an inherent risk of transmission anytime blood is exchanged. I’d direct this question to a medical professional; we are all patients here, and really aren’t qualified to answer this question. You might try posting in Medhelp’s expert form, and see if Dr Dietrich will field it:

http://www.medhelp.org/forums/show/272

or ask your primary care doctor. If you’re a health care worker, contact a doctor or  NP  at work.

In the mean time, consider wearing gloves as NYgirl suggested above.

Best—

Bill

[smith15711]

How high of a risk??I wouldn't worry only the fact that this person I come in contact with is unaware of the fact that he is hcv positve which in my mind is higher risk because anyone else would take proper precautions.  i have to decide because i just got insurance and I cant just walk out of this job I need to know how dangerous smearing blood every where every day is dangerous. Obviously if I lived with someone who wasn't disabled  who was hcv positive I wouldn't be concerned this is a unique situation

[nygirl7]

It's like saying how will i know if i fly to africa that I don't come back with Ebola.

Come on - Haven't we read this same question a few times before over the years, the same exact question?

My advice - don't rub your eyes or start wearing rubber gloves 24/7.