I actually considered the prospect of re-infection after vigorous flossing resulted in a minor gum bleed. This was shortly after 4 weeks of Tx and being UND for the first time. I did change my toothbrush and razor, but thought I was being a little paranoid. I will know more after my one month post EOT lab check on Wednesday.
Even if the risk is small, it certainly is an easy item to address during the course of Tx, even if you change these items daily.
Thanks for the information Matt, although regret that you are having to still deal with it. Longer Tx and eliminating contaminated personal hygiene items appear to be in order. Take care.
Kellie said
Apr 27, 2014
After becoming UND during tx I got new toothbrushes, razors. manicuring tools etc. I even went as far as throwing out lipstick, makeup brushes, eye liner pencils, everything that came into contact with any surfaces of my body. even body brushes and pumice stones went in the trash.
I think I read a post here last year about it and it made sense to me.
thank you Matt for bringing this up
Tig said
Apr 27, 2014
Hello J,
Remember, if you need a quick reference guide here on the forum, don't forget to use the search function. It's located at the top center of each page. Here is the forum page we have set up on them. Our member Mallani was responsible for this excellent guide.
Funny that you mention the reinfected part. The Gilead trial I was on did not say anything about changing your hygiene items either. This time I may change my razor and toothbrush daily.
Also I was sorry I couldn't meet you for lunch the other day but it was nice talking with you. We are going to kick this viruses ass this time.
Take care
Milliganus said
Apr 27, 2014
Wow! Never even thought about this. Thanks for posting.
Omnamahshivaya said
Apr 27, 2014
I'm on day 3 and just tossed my toothbrush but I'm wondering if I should toss it every three days since I have no idea when the virus will all be cleared? Or is it just best to clear it when they tell me I'm UD?
Btw - sorry but what is tx?
jimbob said
Apr 27, 2014
Hi Matt.
I was never informed of that as well (reinfecting oneself). It should be something that is discussed before every tx. Didn't even think about it until reading it here. So I disinfected all those items or changed them.
Jimbob
Tig said
Apr 27, 2014
Hi Matt,
This is a very important topic and one that everybody needs to pay attention to. We have discussed this in months past and it's a good idea to bump the subject up every so often. I've taken to the routine of cleaning the hard surfaces in the house and soaking items like nail clippers in a bleach solution. There are a number of items that can be purchased that have a bleach component to them. You can also mix your own home sanitizer with household bleach and water.
Tig
Here's another one of our threads that got a lot of attention:
I am bringing this thread up now because I finally was informed via email from Abbvie / Turquoise II Trial doctor that my relapse was not caused from Rav's / Virus mutations. This is significant because I was UND at treatments end and for 2 or 3 weeks after (proved by blood tests) but on week 4 post EOT a small amount of virus was detected again it being the normal wild virus type. There could be only two possible reasons why this could happen.
(A) A very small amount of the virus was still in my liver / Hepatocytes and my immune system could not control and vanquish and I required longer duration of treatment.
(B) I Re-Infected myself with a personal hygiene item ( nail clippers, tooth brush, etc.)
Unfortunately I never was made aware of this possibility by my trial nurse or doctor and was not aware of the it being talked about on our forum. So its critical that all members have a strategy or plan to either disinfect or discard personal hygiene items that could cause re-Infection. The other strategy I would recommend is keeping your immune system in top shape when you come off treatment.
Please read this link / thread from our forum regarding this topic its very enlightening
I actually considered the prospect of re-infection after vigorous flossing resulted in a minor gum bleed. This was shortly after 4 weeks of Tx and being UND for the first time. I did change my toothbrush and razor, but thought I was being a little paranoid. I will know more after my one month post EOT lab check on Wednesday.
Even if the risk is small, it certainly is an easy item to address during the course of Tx, even if you change these items daily.
Thanks for the information Matt, although regret that you are having to still deal with it. Longer Tx and eliminating contaminated personal hygiene items appear to be in order. Take care.
After becoming UND during tx I got new toothbrushes, razors. manicuring tools etc. I even went as far as throwing out lipstick, makeup brushes, eye liner pencils, everything that came into contact with any surfaces of my body. even body brushes and pumice stones went in the trash.
I think I read a post here last year about it and it made sense to me.
thank you Matt for bringing this up
Hello J,
Remember, if you need a quick reference guide here on the forum, don't forget to use the search function. It's located at the top center of each page. Here is the forum page we have set up on them. Our member Mallani was responsible for this excellent guide.
Tx = treatment
Tig
http://hepcfriends.activeboard.com/t51085702/forum-abbreviations/
Hey Matt
Funny that you mention the reinfected part. The Gilead trial I was on did not say anything about changing your hygiene items either. This time I may change my razor and toothbrush daily.
Also I was sorry I couldn't meet you for lunch the other day but it was nice talking with you. We are going to kick this viruses ass this time.
Take care
Wow! Never even thought about this. Thanks for posting.
I was never informed of that as well (reinfecting oneself). It should be something that is discussed before every tx. Didn't even think about it until reading it here. So I disinfected all those items or changed them.
Jimbob
Hi Matt,
This is a very important topic and one that everybody needs to pay attention to. We have discussed this in months past and it's a good idea to bump the subject up every so often. I've taken to the routine of cleaning the hard surfaces in the house and soaking items like nail clippers in a bleach solution. There are a number of items that can be purchased that have a bleach component to them. You can also mix your own home sanitizer with household bleach and water.
Tig
Here's another one of our threads that got a lot of attention:
Hep C Friends Thread
Hello All
I am bringing this thread up now because I finally was informed via email from Abbvie / Turquoise II Trial doctor that my relapse was not caused from Rav's / Virus mutations. This is significant because I was UND at treatments end and for 2 or 3 weeks after (proved by blood tests) but on week 4 post EOT a small amount of virus was detected again it being the normal wild virus type. There could be only two possible reasons why this could happen.
(A) A very small amount of the virus was still in my liver / Hepatocytes and my immune system could not control and vanquish and I required longer duration of treatment.
(B) I Re-Infected myself with a personal hygiene item ( nail clippers, tooth brush, etc.)
It has been established by Yale University article that the Hep-C virus can remain infectious for up to six weeks on surfaces at room temperature. Link to article -http://blog.aids.gov/2014/01/scientists-discover-hepatitis-c-virus-can-remain-infectious-outside-of-the-body-for-up-to-6-weeks.html
Unfortunately I never was made aware of this possibility by my trial nurse or doctor and was not aware of the it being talked about on our forum. So its critical that all members have a strategy or plan to either disinfect or discard personal hygiene items that could cause re-Infection. The other strategy I would recommend is keeping your immune system in top shape when you come off treatment.
Please read this link / thread from our forum regarding this topic its very enlightening
http://hepcfriends.activeboard.com/t44673475/change-your-toothbrush-and-razors/
matt