Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

What do you think my risk is?

Thank you for your reply, To clear things up a bit i'll break it down a bit better for you,  I believe my roommate used my toothbrush last night and then I used it this morning.  After I used the toothbrush I got scared of getting infected with one of the three infections I mentioned before. So let me ask a straight question.

1. Would using this toothbrush this morning after he used it last night be able to infect me with HBV, HCV or HIV? Not sure if he had blood in his mouth.

Second, after I used the toothbrush I got scared as stated above. I have a few HBV tests I ordered online for home use. I asked him to try the test. (The test works by putting 5 drops of blood on to a test strip and waiting for the results) They give you a small plastic device with the home rapid test to suck up the blood from your finger and transfer it to the test strip.  He did not know how to use it to suck up the blood so I did it for him.  I sucked up one drop at a time and transfered it to the test 5 times, I was carful not to get any blood on my hands etc. BUT when I was squeezing the last drop of blood on to the test strip it splattered due to a air bubble in the plastic sucker.  The blood drop splattered on to the test. So here is my question regarding this information.

2. As the blood drop splattered onto the test, If some of the splatter came in contact with my mouth, eyes or nose would this cause infection of HIV, HCV or HBV?  Most of the splatter went on the test card, but the little specks may have entered my mucus membrains. Please give your honest oppinion sir.  The sucker basicly "Spit the blood drop out and caused a splatter?

3. Also I took one of the home tests (5 minutes) before I helped him with his. So i pricked my finger to take the test. Would my finger be healed so no virus could enter my blood stream if my finger was pricked 5 minutes earlyer and no blood was coming out?

4. Does it take just a small amount of blood (1 drop) for transmission of HIV, HCV or HBV to ocurr or would it take much more blood than that?
34 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
1420486 tn?1384793153
Thank you Annie, I have always been a very happy person.I use to live in Boston I miss the good food there. I also lived in Ny, Nh, Reno Nv, Calif, Alaska, Arkansas and Oklahoma. I had alot of fun in Boston, Red SoX games, being on a yacht in the harbor on 4th of July, fishing, crusing down the Hudson? on a party boat, and lots of good memories there. Go Red Sox's....Copyman Your just tooo funny, I enjoy laughter...But you forgot my friend the first thing that leaves you when you drink alcohol... Your judgement is the first thing to go. There is also memory issues from alcohol....So maybe he did have anal sex and dosnt remember...Plus lets not forget he lives with another dude, Im assuming if hes been alcoholic for 15 to 20 yrs than his age should be between 35 and forty yrs old. Man @ that age should'nt he be living with a wife???  Now I know how men are or "as much as a woman can understand about the male species"haha. Infact I know a male who was in prison, heard horible things happened to him there, But he is not talking. Its just not the way men are built. Can you imagine how a man must feel , having another man ask him if he has ever had anal sex???hum...Most of the men I know would not react kindly to that type of question..  You know looking back on my marriage. I noticed my husband reminded me of a teenage girl with a crush while in the presence of other males...I often wonder how he got Hep C... true he did get shot in the neck(too bad it wasnt by me) and had a transfussion in 97-98...But he is a bad alcoholic, he falls, passes out in inapropiate places, would do anything for a drink, like lie steal. Im wondering if maybe he passed out with his britches undone? I think he did Anal....Really
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
You could have a t-shirt saying - "I went to see Aerosmith and all I got was this lousy HCV!"
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I find it very odd with your phobia of contracting an infectious disease you would be so obliging as to handle a 45 yr old "alcoholics" blood?  Which I take to mean because of his drinking problem he's more likely to have contracted hepc due to bad decisions made under the influence right?  All in all you're a brave, kind hearted soul because you have to be careful, especially of those who hit the sauce hard.  Your risk is still negligible whether the poor old fellow is a boozer or not.

Cheers,
Trinity
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
No risk even if the blood specks got in my mouth, nose or eyes?

Thanks so much for your time
Helpful - 0
179856 tn?1333547362
AND - are you really standing next to Steve Tyler?  Before he was famous he played at our high school dance way back in the early 70's - small town high school. "

Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh You don't want people to find out how old we are! (Or aren't ;)

Steven Tyler, the patron Saint of all Heppers (at least I hope he SVRd haven't heard anything about it in a while but he was UND after treatment so I always hope so!

I should just tell people I got it from him at least that would be a much interesting story than my own!   ;)
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Agree with copyman.  No risk.  
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Has he had a blood transfusion?  Cocaine?   Tattoo's?     I am very low risk - no drugs ever - no risky behaviors, but somehow contracted HCV early this summer - most likely medically induced. When I found out, I was terrified for my sons who both subsequently were tested and are negative.  But a simple test saved months of worry and conjecture.

So, I, nor anyone can unequivocally say he or you have it  - or not. Nor would any of us know all of your risks - present and past.  The best thing to do is get tested, both of you so you won't worry.

The more you educate yourself by going to the Mayo Clinic site and CDC, the more of your answers you will find.

Good luck to you and please try to not put the cart before the horse here.  I know all of this is scary but a simple fear to alleviate.


Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Something tells me you will not believe what anyone posts here but here goes....you have NO risk from what you describe. You sound like one tough roommate to live with. When I had a roommate back in college I was worried about getting the rent money together not passing a blood test for my them.

The only thing we worried about back then were the clap and crab lice ;-)

Man how times have changed.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thanks for your post!  He is not sure if he has HCV.  he is 45 years old, is not gay and states he has never had anal sex at all, Also he has never used IV drugs.  What is the chance he has HCV? Low?

Also I dont believe this matters at all but he is an acaholic and he has been for 15-20 years.  He doesnt seem sick or ill at all.  

Thanks for your input.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi - first I would ask him if he is HCV positive. If he is, then I would test in a few weeks to put your mind at ease,  but it sounds like your exposure is minimal at best  - if at all.  It sounds like there is no risk actually.  You would have to get his blood into yours.  

Please go on the CDC site and read how HCV is transmitted. It should answer your questions and hopefully  take away your fear.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Ok, What is the chances of getting HCv from the exposure that I mentioned about the Blood splatter when doing the test? Thats my biggest worry

Also, When should I test for HCV?  Whats the window for HCV antibody tests

Thanks
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Sorry to hear of your struggles. Ot sounds like you are on the road to recovery though and I wish you the best.  As for the humor, I spent over 25 years in Al Anon and our meetings were a mixture of hysterical laughter and tears. People were going through the worst of things but somehow would eek out a smile. I believe it is through the laughter we grow and make progress - or at least not get consumed by the difficulties facing us.   For me, as the years pass, I gain perspective and no loner feel the pain of what was once unbearable.

I hope you will always laugh and that your treatment will go well.

Best, Anne
Helpful - 0
1420486 tn?1384793153
I have to admit I find all the comments and remarks funny.   The questions sometimes irritate me, but you guys entertain me.  I cant help but wonder who has thought this up, are they trying to entertain us, or do they truely have other illinesses.... But the tooth brush I am sure is how I got hep C, because although I did have sex with my husband (uck) every 6 or 7 months, and yes he did beat me badly(but I was the only one bleading therefore no blood to blood there)  He always showered first, and he carelessly and w/no reguard to me used my toothbrush a million times (I was irritaited, grossed out , but a girl has gotta brush, and I did not think it would kill me since we had had sex I had been tested for other STD's all my life), but we both did have bleeding gums, and usually i was in shower while he used my t.brush and when I got out I brushed. I did'nt know he had a diease, but he knew he had Hep c. I found out on a police report... Right now I start Tx next week. hum. one of my lower teeth is too loose (I should stop playing with it) Im hoping it wont fall out or fall out with Tx.  I plan on removing a few teeth and getting a partial. But today I cant afford it. I start a job next week too. I dont want to start toothless.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
There was a reputable study a few years back that if you ate well - vegetables, fruits - you know - the pyramid crap, not smoke, (which I never have anyway)  you would live 5 years longer than those who don't take care of themselves.  Hell, I will forfeit the 5 years.  You can't do this that or the other thing and now with HCV I can't even have my occasional St Emilion with lamb chops.  HA!  Glad I am clearing because that is kind of a family rule -  St Emilion with lamb.  Truthfully I have always stayed in the little box but like the idea of rebellion - a wannabe.  

Well tomato sauce is a vegetable - can you make a dip for your son for the nuggets? How old are your kids?  I guess as long as he doesn't have scurvy or rickets all is well and I figure the meat we eat was fed on grass or grain so we must be able to derive some nutrients that way eh?


AND - are you really standing next to Steve Tyler?  Before he was famous he played at our high school dance way back in the early 70's - small town high school.  We are all huge fans and my sons go see them anytime they are around.  They just played at Fenway with J Geils. The kids said it was a good show but not great. They played a mediocre set.  

Helpful - 0
179856 tn?1333547362
Annie it sounds like we would get along just fabulous I feel the exact same way!

Probably we can't though cause we're just too snotty!
Probably cause we dont eat enough vegetables (although if ketchup is considered a vegetable then we're covered - we can send ours to Diane's kids instead at least she can make them eat them!    :)

Actually I shouldn't lie my daughter LOVES vegetables but my son thinks chicken nuggets are an entire essential food group. go figure like mother like son I guess!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Yeah - I thought it was ketchup but it's not - it's snot

Oh I have to get a  life - or  a man

Helpful - 0
1225178 tn?1318980604
Snot?!?!?!

You crack me up!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
staplers!!!   What if I got a staple stuck in my finger and threw it in the rubbish and then you picked it up and stabbed yourself with it?

I HOPE  I don' that to worry and HCV or no HCV  I couldn't do the vegetable thing.  My idea of a fruit allowance was the cherry at the bottom of a Manhattan !  Margaritas have vit C and Tab has calcium.  

Helpful - 0
179856 tn?1333547362
James,

On TrueBlood they did not like the blood of a man infected with HBV - I dont think they could catch it but they didn't like it at all and wouldn't drink it.   I'd imagine if they could get it that they'd all have it but since they dont have livers that function it wouldn't bother them.

wow I'm not wierd or anything am I?

Anne I sure dont understand how you ended up with geno 6 but at least that is not a worry for you any more. Now you won't have to eat vegetables to get your strength up :D

And darn another story someone remembers this is going to take ssome work thinking up something that nobody ever heard of before. Now that door knobs, car tires and snorkles are also off the list it's almost impossible!
Helpful - 0
1118724 tn?1357010591
Do vampires get HCV or HIV?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Well you guys laugh but SOMEHOW I got acute  HCV geno  6 -  the immaculate conception for sure. It probably wasn't via dollar bills though.

Weird thoughts do go through your head when you truly don't know - AND who licks red stuff off dollar bills - I remember that post.   I would be more worried about snot - Oh I thought it was blood but  its-snot  Ha Ha
Helpful - 0
179856 tn?1333547362
LOL I still have to gag them down too.  Except potatoes  I dont seem to have any problem with potatoes at all unfortunately!

Damn Diane already saw the dried bloody fork now I gotta think up something more original!

I saw a $20 bill so I picked it up. At first I didn't notice but the longer I stared at it the more I realized it had some dried stuff on it! At first I thought it might be ketchup because I think I saw some ketchup packets laying nearby it but then I looked even closer. I stared long and hard, I even tried to smell it!  Well, then I was sure it was blood! It was $20 so I didn't want to give it up so I took it to the store and traded it in to the clerk for two tens.  And I swear I think I saw some blood on one of them too!  The drug addict that lost the $20 probably went into the store to buy some drug addict type thing and so now I've been exposed twice. Help I think I have HCV!  Did I get it from the first $20 when I tried to smell it or from the second ten when I licked it to see if it was indeed ketchup or not? Help!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
HA !!  The only vegetable my youngest got when he was younger were the peas hi older brother made him shove up his nose.

Truthfully - the youngest came home from preschool one time asking for the "food that people eat"  meaning vegetables and specifically bananas.   Reverse psychology worked.

You are a good mother !  I think they ARE toxic and still gag them down
Helpful - 0
1225178 tn?1318980604
Not likely with kids....vegetables?????????? Mine eat them because I force them, but you'd think they were toxic or something by how fast they get them down and then wash them down with their drink.
Helpful - 0
2
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Hepatitis C Community

Top Hepatitis Answerers
317787 tn?1473358451
DC
683231 tn?1467323017
Auburn, WA
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Answer a few simple questions about your Hep C treatment journey.

Those who qualify may receive up to $100 for their time.
Explore More In Our Hep C Learning Center
image description
Learn about this treatable virus.
image description
Getting tested for this viral infection.
image description
3 key steps to getting on treatment.
image description
4 steps to getting on therapy.
image description
What you need to know about Hep C drugs.
image description
How the drugs might affect you.
image description
These tips may up your chances of a cure.
Popular Resources
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Condoms are the most effective way to prevent HIV and STDs.
PrEP is used by people with high risk to prevent HIV infection.