Hep C contact

[tiffb01]

I was diagnosed with Hep C 2 months ago and I never did drugs or blood transfusion, what can be another way to contact it? I know sex is rare but could that be the only way?

[Anne1717]

Hi - I give (GAVE  now)  blood every 6 ish months and was clear in November but positive in June. Secondly,  looking back, I did have symptoms late spring - brown urine, fatigue, swollen ankles, but never would have thought of hep c.  They were short lived and not troublesome enough to see a doctor.  
Both doctors -  said it was acute - so that' s all I know but giving blood as often as I do is key.

[Anne1717]

also - I have LFT's every year since I am on thyroid medication  -  ALT and AST are always below 10 - this time they were very high

[meakea]

Wow, Anne, that's pretty scary that you recently got Hep C without having any obvious source.  You are continued proof that Hep C is out there and further proof that the published risk factors and odds of contracting Hep C are pure BS!  I get irritated every time I read "odds" BS being put out there because it gives the general public a false sense of security.  

[Anne1717]

I absolutely agree ! Not even not an obvious source - no source unless it was that tetanus shot.   I cannot even imagine how many people may have it and not know.

If I have it - ANYONE can.  Truly - if you knew my lifestyle, you would liken this to the immaculate conception !  lol   I know it is rare to be able to pinpoint a time frame and the only reason I can is the blood giving - O neg so I try to often.

But it goes to show that maybe we don't know as much as we think we know about hep c

Everyone should be tested

[nygirl7]

That IS too scary - you didn't go to the dentist in the last year or anything like that? A manicure or pedicure? What else is there that we can think of ........ not too much.  I agree with meakea the public just has no idea how many of them could be infected thinking "oh that is a drug addict disease" when most certainly it's not just that at all.

[Anne1717]

yeah - scary - no dentist - do not have manicures/pedicures - do have eyebrows waxed occasionally and that tetanus shot  - that's it.  

It certainly has been an eye opener for me, my family and friends.  

And I know it is not simply a drug addicts disease - my best friends are RN'S and they always feel as though they are dodging a bullet