Reinfection

[GrandmaA]

Once you are UND can you reinfect yourself by using your own toothbrush or nail clippers? I would rather buy a new toothbrush and clippers than go through tx again. LOL.

[copyman]

like the others said i would replace anything questionable. i think you have it backwards, HCV can live outside the body for an incredible amount of time, i may be wrong but i think much longer then hiv. i have read that it is still alive even in dried blood.

[Myown]

I replaced my toothbrush constantly until I was UND. I will not even tell you how often because you will send the guys with the white coats to take me away. But since I have been UND I replace not as often, but once a week, sometimes twice a week,,,,nothing to do with hep c, but as I was flossing my teeth one day I thought hmmm look at this, we don't reuse floss after we floss (think of how gross that would be) but yet we use a tooth brush for a month or so. It grossed me out, so I decided to change my tooth brush much more often. As far as everything else, nippers etc, they all went out the door.

[GrandmaA]

Thanks for your suggestions. I know the HCV virus doesn't live outside the body as long as HIV does. Still better be safe than sorry and such a small expense. We also want to make sure no one uses our old ones - wrap them up good before putting them in the trash.

[Tater_ToT]

I suppose anything is possible... I just didn't want to take chances.... so I replaced EVERYTHING that would even cause suspicion... Paranoid "maybe"... but I would rather be safe than sorry!
:)

[painterlady13]

I am not sure whether it is possible or not But personally I would just go get the new toothbrush and clippers. I replaced my toothbrush every 2 months during treatment and bought a new one after I finished.