Hi again KBP, I think a lot of us have looked back at some point to try and pinpoint exactly when and how we were infected, and sometimes it`s just not possible to know. Quite often there are several possible ways, as in your case. Anyway, I`ll try and answer your questions as best I can.
1) As far as I`m aware people aren`t routinely tested for Hep C before surgery in the U.S.
2) Yes, I believe you would be notified if you wanted to donate blood and you tested positive for the Hep C virus. Here`s a link which gives more details of that...
3) According to what I`ve read, alcohol does not kill the Hep C virus, but a solution of household bleach or disinfectant will.
4) There is an extremely low risk of catching Hep C from monogamous sexual contact, although the risk increases if you`ve had a lot of different sexual partners and if you engage in what`s referred to as `rough sex`, for example if there`s a possibility of having had `blood to blood` contact during sexual activity.
5) Yes, there is a chance you could become infected with the virus from dried blood on inanimate objects, although the risk is very low. There has to be direct `blood to blood` contact for the virus to be able to enter your bloodstream, via a cut or scratch for example, or a needlestick injury. There have been various different studies done over the years and the results vary from up to a few days up to as long as 6 weeks that the virus can survive, at room temperature.
Here are a couple of links which will give you some more information about the risks of transmission....
I am now on day 14 of my Harvoni treatment, in the last few months, I have been racking my brain trying to pinpoint an approximate time line & possible cause of my infection. I will be 60 yrs. old on my next birthday, and like many of us here, I used and shared needles with others. My Doctor said that was most likely the cause of my infection, but I wonder. I shared those needles in my High School years, and that has been 45 years now. Since then I have donated blood a dozen time, and have had 6 different surgeries over the years.
I would think that this DRAGON would have reared it's ugly head before now.
a little background ;
I do not now and do not remember a time in my life when I felt there is/was something wrong with me.
I will say that all 5 of my High School friend that I shared needles with, are not living today. - 25yrs. ago I had major (back)surgery, 20yrs. ago I received a tattoo, 18yrs. ago was the last time I donated blood, 13yrs. ago an accident with a blood transfusion, 11yrs. ago I had major (shoulder) surgery, 10yrs. ago I had dental implants (2 surgeries), 7yrs. ago another major (gallbladder) surgery, last 8yrs my work, I inspect sterilizing equipment in medical waste disposal facilities, hospitals & surgery centers, and (excuse me ladies) my sexual partners have numbered in the many of 100 hundreds.
Now I have come to respect the opinions of the members in this DISCUSSION FORUM , and I hope I am not offending anyone with my story and request.
So...may I request your opinions please ..... my questions are:
1) do medical services search for hep C before surgeries ?
2) do donors receive notification from blood banks if you are infected ?
3) will needles soaked in alcohol kill the hep C virus ? (tattoo)
4) is hep C a sexually transmitted disease ?
5) can you contract this virus from touching dried blood ?
Hi again KBP, I think a lot of us have looked back at some point to try and pinpoint exactly when and how we were infected, and sometimes it`s just not possible to know. Quite often there are several possible ways, as in your case. Anyway, I`ll try and answer your questions as best I can.
1) As far as I`m aware people aren`t routinely tested for Hep C before surgery in the U.S.
2) Yes, I believe you would be notified if you wanted to donate blood and you tested positive for the Hep C virus. Here`s a link which gives more details of that...
http://www.hepatitis.va.gov/patient/faqs/can-I-donate-blood.asp
3) According to what I`ve read, alcohol does not kill the Hep C virus, but a solution of household bleach or disinfectant will.
4) There is an extremely low risk of catching Hep C from monogamous sexual contact, although the risk increases if you`ve had a lot of different sexual partners and if you engage in what`s referred to as `rough sex`, for example if there`s a possibility of having had `blood to blood` contact during sexual activity.
5) Yes, there is a chance you could become infected with the virus from dried blood on inanimate objects, although the risk is very low. There has to be direct `blood to blood` contact for the virus to be able to enter your bloodstream, via a cut or scratch for example, or a needlestick injury. There have been various different studies done over the years and the results vary from up to a few days up to as long as 6 weeks that the virus can survive, at room temperature.
Here are a couple of links which will give you some more information about the risks of transmission....
http://hcvadvocate.org/hepatitis/factsheets_pdf/How_long.pdf
http://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/hcv/cfaq.htm
Hope that helps!
I am now on day 14 of my Harvoni treatment, in the last few months, I have been racking my brain trying to pinpoint an approximate time line & possible cause of my infection. I will be 60 yrs. old on my next birthday, and like many of us here, I used and shared needles with others. My Doctor said that was most likely the cause of my infection, but I wonder. I shared those needles in my High School years, and that has been 45 years now. Since then I have donated blood a dozen time, and have had 6 different surgeries over the years.
I would think that this DRAGON would have reared it's ugly head before now.
a little background ;
I do not now and do not remember a time in my life when I felt there is/was something wrong with me.
I will say that all 5 of my High School friend that I shared needles with, are not living today. - 25yrs. ago I had major (back)surgery, 20yrs. ago I received a tattoo, 18yrs. ago was the last time I donated blood, 13yrs. ago an accident with a blood transfusion, 11yrs. ago I had major (shoulder) surgery, 10yrs. ago I had dental implants (2 surgeries), 7yrs. ago another major (gallbladder) surgery, last 8yrs my work, I inspect sterilizing equipment in medical waste disposal facilities, hospitals & surgery centers, and (excuse me ladies) my sexual partners have numbered in the many of 100 hundreds.
Now I have come to respect the opinions of the members in this DISCUSSION FORUM , and I hope I am not offending anyone with my story and request.
So...may I request your opinions please ..... my questions are:
1) do medical services search for hep C before surgeries ?
2) do donors receive notification from blood banks if you are infected ?
3) will needles soaked in alcohol kill the hep C virus ? (tattoo)
4) is hep C a sexually transmitted disease ?
5) can you contract this virus from touching dried blood ?