My kitten scratched me - need input

[all_is_well]

I know this has been discussed before, but I am still not sure what to think.

My kitten just scratched me badly and I wonder how long the virus can live on/in her claws.
She plays with my little daughter constantly and occasional scratches are common.

Never thought of that when I got her for Christmas! :(

Any input welcome!

[portann]

You said in a recent post that:

"HepC thought (sic) me to see life with different eyes and on a different level and to value the most important things in life and to not sweat over the small stuff."

If I had to choose between worrying about HCV transmission via the cat or your daughter playing with her 'constantly' in a situation where it's 'common' for the cat to scratch her,  I'd worry about your daughter's eyes being scratched out, not about HCV.  Speaking of eyes, damaged vision isn't small stuff.

Perhaps it would be in your daughter's best interest that you place the newly-acquired cat in a different home. Then you won't have to worry about HCV transmission, either.

Hope all is well.

[all_is_well]

Wow, 4 days is a long time.

Thanks a lot for your help.

[all_is_well]

Thanks a lot. I'll check it out.

[lalapple]

i felt the same way when i went to pump gas and noticed i was bleeding from a 2mm cut on my hand and immediately dabbed some hand alcohol gel on the wound.  that was followed my a very long moment of worry.  

[zazza]

"How long can HAV, HBV, and HCV survive outside the body?"

"Recent studies have shown that HCV can survive outside the body and still transmit infection for 16 hours, but not longer than 4 days."

http://www.webmd.com/hepatitis/frequently-asked-questions-about-viral-hepatitis

[HCA]

I understood what you meant.
It can survive 'for hours' outside the body according to ;
Rick Sowodsky, MSPH

Senior Communicable Disease Specialist

Nevada Stage Health Division Aids Program    

This is the only web reference I could find,but there maybe others.
The suggestion was to rinse the cat's paws in a mild bleach solution (not neat bleach as Kit cat who didnt read my reply properly thought) and rinse off with water.
This will kill it stone dead-the virus that is, not the kitten who will just be mildly bemused.