hepatitis c transmission

[gayakram]

dear doctor,

MY FATHER HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH HEPATITIS C THREE MONTHS BACK AND SINCE WE HAVE BEEN LIVING IN THE SAME HOUSE SO EVEN I GOT TESTED ABOUT 2 MONTHS BACK WHICH CAME OUT NEGATIVE.

YESTERDAY WHEN HE WAS HAVING COCA COLA FROM A CAN WITH STRAW (PIPE) EVEN I WAS DRINKING FROM THE SAME STRAW (PIPE)
SUDDENLY IT CAME  IN MY MIND THAT I SHOULD NOT DO THAT.
MY QUESTION IS


1) IS IT POSSIBLE TO HAVE HEPATITIS TRANSMISSION FROM USING SAME STRAW OR PIPE TO DRINK COKE OR WATER.
2)IF MY FATHER HAD BLOOD/SALIVA ON HIS TEETH OR MOUTH WHAT IS MY RISK
3) WHAT PRECAUTIONS I CAN TAKE AS WE LIVE IN THE SAME HOUSE.

PLEASE REPLY
REGARDS
AKR

[Edward W Hook, MD]

You asked for my opinion.  You received it, based on my study of the subject an years of experience. If you do not wish to believe it that is OK with me however this Forum is not a site for debate. The CDC's advice tends to be very conservative since as a U.S. government agency they feel that they cannot afford to be wrong.  

There is no risk for hepatitis C transmission form sharing a straw.  

You do not need a hepatitis C test from sharing a straw with your father.

I'm sorry, I do not know if a person can relapse following successful hepatitis C treatment.  It would  not suprise me if it has happened but if it has, it is likely to be rare

This thread is now over. There will be no further answers.  EWH

[gayakram]

dear dr.exh,
pls reply to my question

thanks and regards
akr

[gayakram]

one more question doctor,

IS IT POSSIBLE THAT HEPATITIS C VIRUS CAN REOCCUR OR REACTIVATE IN SOMEBODY'S BODY AFTER SUCCESSFUL TREATMENT OF HEPATITIS C.
I MEAN AFTER GETTING NEGATIVE TEST RESULTS.
THANKS AND REGARDS
AKR

[gayakram]

Dear doctor,
i checked the cdc website and it states that hepatitis c can be transmitted through toothbrush or a razor/blade.

(Sharing personal items that might have blood on them, such as toothbrushes or razors, can pose a risk to others.)
(HCV is not spread by sneezing, hugging, holding hands, coughing, sharing eating utensils or drinking glasses, or through food or water.)

now these statements are given on cdc website.

but since i didnt share a toothbrush its just a straw pie to drink coca cola or water.

do i need a hcv test?

please reply
akr

[Edward W Hook, MD]

You are misinformed.  Hepatitic C cannot be spread by sharing a toothbrusk and, as I told you, cannot be spread by sharing a staw.  EWH

[gayakram]

Thanks a lot doctor for prompt reply.
I know that sharing same plate could not be a risk.
But in case of straw my father put it in his mouth and immediately I put it in my mouth and his saliva and blood could be on it.
I read on some website toothbrush sharing could be a risk???
Can u please explain me  how is sharing a straw
(pipe) is different from sharing a toothbrush.
My regards
Akr

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Welcome back to the Forum.  You need not worry.  Hepatitis is not spread by casual contact or by ingestion of any sort. Thus sharing  a straw or eating off of the same plate is not a concern, not even if your father had bleeding gums.  Hepatitis C is not spread to household contacts in the course of normal activities.  It is spread through injection with contaminated needles or by injection of contaminated materials.  

The precautions are very simple- do not share needles.  EWH