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Avatar universal

Hep C and other infections from a shared razor

Recently I borrowed a close friend's razor to do some spot trimming of my beard and upper lip. To the best of my knowledge he is a rather clean individual and does not frequently engage in high risk behaviors such as IV drug use and unprotected sex.

When I told him I borrowed his razor he informed me that he used the razor exclusively for shaving his genital area. I'm furious and slightly scared. What are the chances that if he had say hep C or herpes that I could have contracted either from this brief encounter?
19 Responses
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707563 tn?1626361905
Hi everyone -

Please keep things on topic when posting, and remember that not everyone is educated about HCV transmission.  

As dingo_chi's question has been answered, this thread is now closed.

Emily

************************************  CLOSED THREAD  *******************************************
                                        NO MORE POSTS, PLEASE
Helpful - 0
1225178 tn?1318980604
Why don't you just ask him if he has any conditions that might be contagious?

Also, you could both have HCV if you have ever... only once.... used IV drugs, shared straws while snorting cocaine, used the razor or toothbrush of an infected person, Got any kind of injection made from human blood prior to 1992, got immunized by military air guns, had a colonoscopy at a clinic that was trying to save money by reusing syringes, or that had drug addicts working there that were sticking themselves with part of your shot and then giving you the rest ( just happened at Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL this past August) Or if you have ever been in a fight where someone who may have been infected punched you in the mouth busting your lip while your tooth busted their knuckles... that's how I got mine from my exhusband. OH yes....I forgot... if you have ever had a blood transfusion prior to 1992.

You said "he does not frequently engage in high risk behavior". It only takes once to get infected.

Diane
Helpful - 0
1523804 tn?1316560909
Beats me why it matters where he shaved. The risk of HCV is the same from any blood. Why get furious and slightly scared if you're willing to take the risk from facial blood.
Helpful - 0
408795 tn?1324935675
Just the thought of using someone else's razor in the first place is super gross!!  Especially since it was used near the will nots area.  get tested dude!!  
Helpful - 0
92903 tn?1309904711
"Still if the guys razor is in his bathroom and he uses it for manscaping and then you use it without permission thats what you are likely going to get........."

Lest we not leave out the possibility that we're dealing with a fatidious manscaper who uses a toothbrush tidy up the hedges while trimming.  
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I understand completely. I'm wondering if this is something which is being taught in schools now? But, I would think that it would start at home. With HCV and such being more prevalent in our lives I think that parents should want to educate kids early.
Helpful - 0
179856 tn?1333547362
Yes I am sure we have all had family members who have used our stuff, luckily I dont remember anyone saying that they got infected that way.

Still if the guys razor is in his bathroom and he uses it for manscaping and then you use it without permission thats what you are likely going to get.........most people use the same razor for all shaving needs I think.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
In a perfect world - and again, hind sight is 20/20.  My boys are in their 20's and they know now, but until last year's diagnosis, we had barely even heard of HCV. I too hide my toothbrush so I don't know how that happened with my niece - UGH !  I do think though it is fairly common for sons/brothers/fathers/wives  to grab each others razors.  And you can say "Hey, that's mine! leave my stuff alone!" but sometimes ya just don't know.  
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
For some reason the thought of using someone elses toothbrush has always repulsed me. Even as a kid, I always kept mine in a case, strange maybe, but thinking back it may of been a good thing too. As far as razors I've always been the same way also, "Hey, that's mine! leave my stuff alone!". Perhaps this is an issue which should be addressed by parents to the kids. Just a thought.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Last summer my 13 year old niece came bouncing out of the bathroom saying -"Oh Aunt Anne, I hope you don't mind I just used your toothbrush but I rinsed it off afterwards."  Shortly after that I was diagnosed with acute HCV.  It would never enter my mind to use another's toothbrush - never mind and old aunt's.  Further, I know my sons would share razors with each other and maybe have inadvertently grabbed mine from time to time.  I guess I can understand that in families. It isn't like I leave my stuff out and about - ESPECIALLY now but we have always been a little free with razors and nail clippers.  Hind sight is 20/20?????
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
LOL!  I can just see that whole scene in my head now and I can see you doing that too. Now there's man-style payback. :)
Helpful - 0
206807 tn?1331936184
  If it would have been my razor and I shaved down there, I doubt I would have told him what the razor was used for. I would then proceed to tell everyone I know about it.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Furthermore, there are a significant number of people out there who have HCV and don't know they do and not all of them got it from IV drug use - and HCV is not an STD.  So perhaps you should get tested to protect your friend, since you used HIS razor and the chances of you getting your blood on his razor also exist.  To be very blunt, it was a stupid, careless and thoughtless thing to do for yourself and TO your friend.  It's your friend who should be furious.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
"When I told him I borrowed his razor he informed me that he used the razor exclusively for shaving his genital area. I'm furious and slightly scared. What are the chances that if he had say hep C or herpes that I could have contracted either from this brief encounter?"

Why would you be furious?  You didn't ask him FIRST.  If you did, he would have told you and you wouldn't have used it.  Anyway....he probably just said that to teach you a lesson about using his personal care items without permission and he probably doesn't use it on his genitals at all.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
There would have to be blood to blood contact for HCV, as far as STDs I'm not certain. Do you know if he cut himself with the razor, and did you did you cut yourself with the same razor? If not, you should be fine, although getting tested for everything might not be a bad thing to do. Razors, toothbrushes, nailclippers are all inexpensive items, buy your own and use your own only in the future! Check other sections of this website and you will find more information, Best of luck, Mike
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal

When I told him I borrowed his razor he informed me that he used the razor exclusively for shaving his genital area. I'm  furiuos "

       At who??

   I don"t know about herpes but if he had HCV the chances are at least possible of you contracting the disease as shared razors are a documented means of transmission.
Helpful - 0
206807 tn?1331936184
"When I told him I borrowed his razor he informed me that he used the razor exclusively for shaving his genital area"

"If your asking if he looks like he cuts himself frequently when he shaves, then no"

Yes, I would say he is a close friend.
Regardless, you can’t take his word for it. We need more information before we can answer your question. You are going to have to dive down there and check it out for yourself. Don’t forget Ole Brown Eye.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
If your asking if he looks like he cuts himself frequently when he shaves, then no. The razor for all practical purposes had nothing on it that looked alarming. That's why I used it. As for how much landscaping he does I really don't want to ask him that kind of question.
Helpful - 0
92903 tn?1309904711
What does this dude's face look like, Saskatchewan? Also, how far back does he shave? Did he hit the chocolate starfish do you reckon?
Helpful - 0
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