Hello
Test done at 31 days is negative
I know it cannot be considered final
But what are the chances that the first month is negative and after is positive?
I mean usually after one month the majority of infections are already positive?
Thanks
Tig said
Sep 6, 2018
Hello and welcome to the forum. I’m sorry to hear about your friend and the mishap with the blood exposure. The risk of infection is low in this case, but infection control protocol will require her to be tested again in 6 months to assure there is no antibody development. Immediate testing after initial exposure won’t show exposure anyway. It takes weeks or months for some to develop evidence of acute (initial) infection.
The only way HCV is contracted is via blood to blood exposure. Exposure to infected blood typically enters through a cut or intentionally, such as IV drug use, with a contaminated device, unsterile tattoos, etc. Even the risk via sexual contact, or Mother to child through birth, is rare.
It‘s important that your friend continue to follow through with additional testing to assure there has been no active exposure. I’m sure since it was a workplace exposure, she will be required to follow established protocol. That alone should assure you both that she will be closely monitored and all bases covered to determine her status going forward. In the rare event she does contract HCV through this exposure, this disease is no easily treated and while extremely unfortunate, it will have been discovered immediately and before she has experienced any liver damage.
oolloo12 said
Sep 6, 2018
Dear all,
So my girlfriend is a nurse. 10 days ago, while she was doing some works, she got some infected blood on her face (hcv+).. She was wearing glasses (for sights reasons not for protection) but some blood may have end up in her eye(dripping).
I am worried some blood may have end up in the mouth as well.
She had the test at time zero and was negative.
I am getting crazy and paranoid. Can you tell me if she is really risking contagion?
Please
(English is not my mother tongue so please apologize any mistake)
Hello and welcome to the forum. I’m sorry to hear about your friend and the mishap with the blood exposure. The risk of infection is low in this case, but infection control protocol will require her to be tested again in 6 months to assure there is no antibody development. Immediate testing after initial exposure won’t show exposure anyway. It takes weeks or months for some to develop evidence of acute (initial) infection.
The only way HCV is contracted is via blood to blood exposure. Exposure to infected blood typically enters through a cut or intentionally, such as IV drug use, with a contaminated device, unsterile tattoos, etc. Even the risk via sexual contact, or Mother to child through birth, is rare.
It‘s important that your friend continue to follow through with additional testing to assure there has been no active exposure. I’m sure since it was a workplace exposure, she will be required to follow established protocol. That alone should assure you both that she will be closely monitored and all bases covered to determine her status going forward. In the rare event she does contract HCV through this exposure, this disease is no easily treated and while extremely unfortunate, it will have been discovered immediately and before she has experienced any liver damage.