Can HCV transmitted during fight

[Reallyworried77]

Hi,

I was involved in a street fight where I punched the guy and my knuckle were bruised (with his teeth) and blood came out. Is there any risk of HIV or HVC from this incidence.

[Willy50]

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18334072
or
http://www.eatg.org/eatg/Global-HIV-News/Prevention/HIV-transmitted-during-a-knife-attack
or
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2491601/
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11096019

Sorry, I thought it was possible, I guess we are now talking about how probable it is.  
--------------(you wrote);
"In some posts, Dr Hook and Hansfield have mentioned that it's a no risk activity and one needs a lot of blood injected into deep tissue to consider it as a risk."
---------------------------------------------------------

Wellll...... I'd suggest that this is what can happen when knuckles are bloodied.  That is the very thing that can happen....in either direction one would surmise.

Yes..... it is very uncommon because most fights don't involve an infected person, sufficient blood to blood contact, and sufficient before and after reporting to establish the exact cause.

I guess the answer is very unlikely, very uncommon but not impossible.  I'm very inclined to agree the risk is low.  I would not argue with experts; trust them.

willy

[Reallyworried77]

Hi Willy,

Reg HIV, (experts and even on Drs forum) it's mentioned that HIV does not spread in this manner. It's immidiatedly deactivated outside the host's body. In some posts, Dr Hook and Hansfield have mentioned that it's a no risk activity and one needs a lot of blood injected into deep tissue to consider it as a risk. Hope this is true (and also the other guy did not have any infection).

[Willy50]

Yes, it is true.  Even if....even if you happened to be infected, *it might* kill ya in 20-30 or 40 years.  The toughest to treat type of HCV currently only has a cure rate of 50ish percent but it will soon go to 75% give or take and in 9 months when it is approved it will also in all likelihood further increase the early treater stats closer to 100%. (in the first 6 months or so the acute stage has a high rate of cure if treated early)

Even if you find yourself in the worst case scenario w/ HCV you still probably won't be in serious trouble.  Far better to get HCV than HIV, IMHO.

I would say that those who told you that about HIV must have been assuming no blood to blood contact.  If so; fine I agree (although none of us can prove that).  Had there been a second or third punch to the same area I rather doubt they would be saying it.  As it stands, it may be better to get a cheap test, put your fears to rest and go on with your life.  As I mentioned if no one is infected there can be no transmission.

Good luck,
Willy

[Reallyworried77]

Thanks Willy,

Generally I am not a type of guy who is involved in these scenario a lot (infact this was my first and only one). Having said that, for past 3 months I have been doing a lot of silly things and this is one of them. I am extremely worried about the outcome of this. I have asked the similar question on HIV forum as well and the experts calmed my fears saying this is no risk for HIV. Having said that, I will definitely carry out test. I was reading on wikipedia that if Hep C is dignosed in first 6 months of infection, chances of curing it are high. Is it true.

[Willy50]

Sorry if I was gruff, there is no point in laying blame.  I spun things around so you might also understand that this person is at equal risk of having contacted something from you, right?  Maybe they are freaking out about right now as well.

Chances are neither of you have a blood borne communicable disease, and nothing was therefore transmitted.

What you describe sounds like there was an absence of blood, but who can say?

My other point is that no one here can definitively tell you...not enough to truly answer your question.

Many of us on this board have had this 20, 30 40 years and we are still alive and many unhindered by the virus. You have some time, as mentioned an antibody test a few weeks after an exposure will provide an answer.  In the meanwhile.....no more fighting, eh? (and after too)  : )  

best,
Willy

[Trinity4]

Get tested

[Reallyworried77]

Hi All,

Thanks for the help. During the fight, the person was in car and I was on street. The only contact I had with his body was this one punch. It was more of verbal accusition than actual fight. Is this still a substantial risk.

[Willy50]

Yes, there is a risk.  Less so with one punch.  A repeated punch with a bloody fist to a bloody area on an infected person there is a sizable risk

It is theorized that some transmissions have occurred via domestic violence.

There have been documented cases where truckers have decided to
kick some a$$ of folks from gay bars and in doing so ended up with HIV.

Obviously, if the person who damaged your fist with their teeth was negative for such diseases your risk is reduced substantially.

As Bill said..... get tested to answer your question.  If you get into recurring fist fights, seek therapy.  Only a test, not a post will answer your question.

best,
Willy

[nygirl7]

Well maybe he knocked a few loose and they started to bleed and that blood got into his knuckles and his knuckles then spread the Hepc throughout his body.  If they guy had any sort of periodontal disease they could bleed all of the time! Either that or hepb or hiv it's all 'possible'. People shouldn't fight it's bad form ;)

[Marcia2202]

Theoretically....


I don't see how someone's teeth could transfer hep c, as teeth do not bleed.

I don't know about hiv, as there is saliva on the teeth.

[nygirl7]

Get tested none of us know what blood could have been in his mouth that ended up on your hands - low chance but there are people in here who have known of the classic ways to get infected yet they sure are!!!!!!!!!!! ALso you should be tested for several other things hcv is less likely but you could have gotten HIV or HepB or a bunch of things much easier and liklier than hcv.

[FlGuy]

My point in the foregoing is that although it's possible, it's not likely.  Also, we have read here about the results of some sexual assaults....

[FlGuy]

This is from Moahunters profile:

The picture is of me being helped by a SWAT paramedic (these guys are great). Acquired Hep C from knife attack after home was invaded. Baseline tests taken that day confirmed I was HCV negative at time of attack. Assailant received 9 years in prison - all details were p ... [More] ublished in media (TV, newspapers, radio), including my diagnoses of Geno 1 A Hep C (published in court case as a relevant fact in sentencing). 1 month after infection I got severe acute symptoms (Alt over 900, which is horrible). Went on monotherapy with Pegasys after it was confirmed I would not clear naturally. There were few symptoms with this. This failed at 12 weeks (insufficient response - my doctor now tells me that the protocol has changed in Canada, and acutes are put straight on combo therapy - a good thing I think). Combo treatment of 1200 Riba and max standard interforon (85kg plus) started six months after infection, so it technically began during the chronic stage. Quite the emotional and physical "experience", it is amazing how strong I feel since finishing treatment a few weeks ago. I was UND at 4 weeks (RVR), and UND at 48 weeks end of treatment. Waiting for 6 month, and 12 month tests now, scary stuff, but hoping for the best. - Update - I am SVR. Nice place to be

[Bill1954]

The scenario you describe carries a low risk of transmission for any blood born disease. However, you might want to consult with your doctor; he/she is trained to determine if further medical action is necessary.

Good luck,

--Bill

[Reallyworried77]

Absolutely what ... yes or no

[FlGuy]

absolutely