Hep c from grandmother to child

[Goldie8311]

Can someone get hep c if they have a cut on their lip from dry lips? My 3 year old's grandmother has hep c and had a cut on her finger which she used to push her hair out of my daughters face. My daughter then put the hair in her mouth where her cut was. I don't think the grandmother cut was fresh and oozing but worried it may not have been scabbed over. My daughters lips we're def chapped despite lip balm. Worried blood could have gotten on hair from grandmother's cut that went into daughters cut lip. I did wash her mouth with only water and then used antibacterial wipe....should have used soap though too.

When I asked the grandmother she got offended and said she wasn't bleeding....but again it could have been open as it occurred earlier that morning and could have still been fresh or not fully scabbed over. Couldn't take a good luck at it and only noticed after the fact. She is now mad at me for asking....

Any risk or am I over reacting? I know grandmother would never purposely hurt child but wish there was bandaid on it. Thanks!!

[Dee1956]

Goldie, you are very welcome. I just don't think you should be concerned. If your Mom had been bleeding and kissed your daughter on the lips and her lips were bleeding there could have been a small chance.

I guess if you are really worried, you could wait 3 months or so and have your daughter tested but I would not worry.

Has your Mom treated her HCV yet? I was cured 4 years ago and now don't have that hanging over my head.

There are others who have been able to do the new treatment for 12 weeks.  It sounds very easy.

I wish you and your family the best.
Dee

[Goldie8311]

Thank you dee.she was treated about 15 years ago with interferon but nothing since then. She has never brought up need for further tx....does interferon lower risk or should she do follow up tx?

[flyinlynn]

If she treated in the past and was not cured with interferon there are new highly effective treatments now available. Her treatment could be as simple as 1 pill a day for 12 weeks with little to no side effects and she can be cured.

Have you seen any commercials in TV for Harvoni? That is one of the new medicines there are others yet doctor will determine what is the best treatment for her  

She should see her doctor.

[flyinlynn]

If she was cured in the past she does not have hep c and thus is not a risk to your daughter.

[MHEditor]

Hi Goldie, here is some information from MedHelp.org on what Hep C is and how it's transmitted. As other posters here have commented, though it's not recommended to share items like razors or toothbrushes, it's rare that Hep C transmits from family member to family member and does require blood to blood contact.
http://www.medhelp.org/hepatitis-c/articles/What-Is-Hepatitis-C/2251

[Goldie8311]

Hopefully this wasn't the case and no blood was exchanged. It's just hard when I see something and she denies but of course I would bever think she would put my daughter at risk...just worry she may minimize her cuts or not think much of it....

[hepc4Sandi]

Why isn't your mom getting treated now with Harvoni? Just wondering.

[MHEditor]

Great question. Here is some information about the treatment journey for you to share with your mom, from MedHelp.org. http://www.medhelp.org/hepatitis-c/articles/Understanding-Hepatitis-C-Treatment/2256

[Dee1956]

Hi, you have no reason to worry.

Many of us, have had HCV for years before we knew; we raised our children, had husbands, never transmitted HCV. I had two little boys and can tell you they had their share of cuts, just like I did.   I had it for 30 years before I found out.  I got it from a blood product injected in to my body.

I understand you are worried about your child however there is no need to worry.

HCV is only transmitted blood to blood.

I understand why the grandmother would be offended as of course she would not do anything to harm her grandchild.

I respectfully feel you should learn a little more so that you won't be so afraid.

My best to you, Dee

[Goldie8311]

Thank you so much Dee1956....I just worry could some blood get on the hair and then to her cut on lip....but I know I need to trust my mom when she says she was not actively bleeding. I wish I would have noticed then because now I am imagining worst case scenarios.

My mom is super careful and I know she would never knowingly harm etc just worry if it was like a paper cut and she didn't think much of it. If the hair got in that, could that infect or am I overthinking all this;)

So in essence, you think I shouldn't pursue testing based on this? I don't want to subject my 3 year old to any unnecessary blood draws so would welcome any more feedback.

Thank you for responding and making me feel better;) my mom was diagnosed 15 years ago and it was a shock but since then thank goodness has had no major complications from it and has been living a full life. She babysits for my daughter all the time so I don't know why this last time had me nervous.