For medical professionals only please. I have a friend slash co-worker I have worked with for 2 years.?

Question

I have shared several cigarettes with her and have accidentally drank after her. I just found out that her live-in boyfriend has hepitus C. Am I at risk? What are the symptoms and should I seek Medical attention? I feel fine but I am truely scared and am not sure what I should do. All corendesponce is truely appreciated. Thanks, Sassy.

Answer 1

Hepatitis C is a blood borne pathogen. That means it is transmitted by blood to blood contact with an infected person. That is the only way it is transmitted. It is NOT transmitted through bodily fluids. Sharing a cigarette is not a risk factor.
The risk factors for hep C (HCV) are:
blood transfusions or solid organ transplants before 1992, tattoos, piercings, IV drug use even if only one time many years ago, needlesticks among medical workers, kidney dialysis, pnuematic vaccinations like those given in the military (especially Vietnam era Vets), sharing razors or toothbrushes with someone who is infected (hep c lives outside the body for several days), snorting drugs & sharing the straw or dollar bill. HCV is rarely transmitted through sex. Only if blood to blood contact occurs. Sex with someone coinfected with HIV increases the chance of infection.
Hope this helps; best wishes.

Answer 2

Hep C is only transmittable from blood to blood - it is generally not transmitted through heterosexual intercourse. It can be transmitted through using the same tattoo needle/ink, sharing syringes, getting their blood on a cut on your body (razor sharing) and sharing of toothbrushes when you both have bleeding gums. You have nothing to worry about. As nurses we do not take any further precautions that the usual patient for those with Hep C.
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You are at no risk but I would definitely give up smoking which will probably cause you more problems than Hep C in the same amount of time.

It is ironic that you are concerned with HepC which is a disease usually taking 20 years to develop and can be managed but still actively smoke cigarettes which will mostl likely result in a chroniclife threatening disease.

Answer 3

Hep C is transmitted by contact with blood or body fluids which may contain blood. You should be fine if you have only smoked or drank after her. I would be concerned for her however and hope that she is taking precautions to protect herself. Also, as a precaution to yourself, don't share any razors, or nail clippers or anything that may contain trace amounts of blood and is likely to come in contact with your mucus membranes or an open wound.

Answer 4

Hepatitis C is very hard to get. It is even difficult to get it from sex with an infected person.

It is spread largely through drug abusers sharing needles. It used to be spread by blood transfusions until they found a test to screen blood.

Check the link.

Answer 5

Not me hon. I had a party for us and we had a drawing for gifts. I won a punch bowl with the mugs that hang on the side and a serving spoon or whatever ya call it. Then a few days later they fed us a prime rib meal. As far as gifts go, we didnt have an exchange.

Answer 6

Hepititus C is a blood born pathogen. So, it's extremely unlikely that you would catch it from somone's saliva. Assuming the worst (that your friend was infected), still she would have to have blood in her saliva and you would have to have cuts in your mouth for it to be transmitted.

Basically, you shouldn't be worried!

Answer 7

you will be fine aslong as you dont share needles with him

Answer 8

Yes it is highly contagious, you should get tested right away. You can be tested free and confidentially from your counties health department.