I was just curious.

[CuriousGeorge19]

I was just curious if it was possible that I can become infected with hep c through this situation. I work at a lab were we process all types of blood work and other specimen and often we poor off serum, never whole blood. One day in particular I had accidentally touched my badge with my glove and had forgotten to clean it when I took it home. 14 hours later I had gotten some food and happened to touch my badge prior to eating. I didn't remember seeing any specimen on my gloves nor my badge. So is it possible to get Hep C if there may have been infected specimen on my badge prior till eating. I dont remember there being any cuts or wound in my mouth at the time. I'm sorry if I'm wasting anybodys time, I have the utmost respect for anybody who has contracted this disease.

P.S. My badge had been in my car for about 4 hours prior till eating and here in AZ it can get extremely hot. It had to be over 100 degrees in my car that day,lol. Didnt know if that mattered.

[eureka254]

If your occupation requires you to handle whole blood, serum, or other human materials, it is a health and safety requirement to receive training and education regarding biological material safety.  Minimally, your employer should have provided you with educational materials about bloodborne pathogens which would have provided the information you received from the good folks here.  In a lab setting, familiarity with common pathogens, their risk factors, and safety measures will not only prevent lab hazards and error, it will help protect your health and that of your co-workers.  Best wishes. ~eureka

[CuriousGeorge19]

Thanks everybody for your comments and support. I'm know for sure I'm in the clear. Firstly thats to say if the virus even got on my badge or the gloves I touched it with because I didn't notice anything on neither but I'm sure dried hep c can still travel even if I can't see it,lol. If It did thats to say it even survived by the time I touched it prior to eating and plus it serum. I dont know if there is any truth to this but serum is less infectous then whole blood because when centerfuged your removing all the red and white blood cells. and lastly thats to say it got on my food and somehow entered my blood stream which is highly unlikely because I don't recall there being any cuts on my lips or mouth. Yeah, I would say I'm good!

[James10500]

Curious, I hear what your saying but it would be considered a low transmission vector. I agree with Mr. Glass don't worry about it.  If you continue to worry and can't put it in the past, the answer is get tested.

[R Glass]

You wouldn't have to use your finger but you are correct and your fine. I was married at least 25 years, having HCV the entire time. God only knows how many times I used her toothbrush (by mistake). My gums bleed and my wife, after 25 years, did not test positive. Put this behind you and enjoy your life, Ricky

[CuriousGeorge19]

But just food for thought. When you say you can't contract Hep C by eating it does that mean you could have a wound or cut in your mouth and still not get it by just eating it? It has to be a direct blood to blood contact? Like I would have to literally touch the infected blood with my finger and go into my mouth and touch the cut or wound and even then it would still be hard? Last question, I don't mean to be difficult!!!

[CuriousGeorge19]

Thanks, I never new that. I probably should have done my research. I'm usually really careful about these things and i'm a major germaphobe which makes it worse when I don't stay on top of myself considering we handle specimen on a daily bases. If only you could see my PPE(Personal Protective Equipment) at work it would probably make your day.

[tashka]

Hepatitis C is not transmitted through food, drink, or dirty hands. You can get hepatitis C only through blood to blood contact: transfusion, needle stick, medical procedure performed with unclean equipment, tattoo... Infected blood has to mix with yours for you to get sick. Eating it doesn't count. You are not wasting anyone's time here. I am happy to help you and to answer your question. And I am also very happy to tell you that you don't have hepatitis C and could not possibly get it by the way you describe.

[James10500]

Nope.  As Trinity used to say you could have a salad with Hep C dressing and not get it.  The blood needs to enter your bloodstream, as in percutaneous delivery.