Hep C Discussion Forum

Ron Gilbert · Senior Member

RE: When?

James10500 · Guru

There is a really good thread on the subject on medhelp.org hep c forum. Just enter a few key words in the search files I bet you come up with it.

hrsetrdr · Guru

Well, since I last posted I've been all over the 'net "googling for answers"(sound familiar?) to many questions; of course, the "when-did-I-get-this" question is always over my shoulder.

As a U.S. Army/Vietnam veteran, I was given many immunization injections which were administered via a Jet Injector Gun. The World Health Organization states that jet injectors "are no longer recommended due to risks of disease transmission".

I think that of all the possible sources of infection(in my life), the probability is greatest that I contracted the HCV during my service in the Army.

But yea, does it really matter...I'm the type who just always wants to know the "why"(or the "when", as the case may be).

hrsetrdr · Guru

sunny77 wrote:

I guess I'm in the minority possibly, but I know the split second I got infected. A combative patient pulled out his IV insertion needle and whipped it across the room and lodged in my leg. I think I'll have nightmares for the rest of my life about the moment I looked down and saw the needle hanging out of my leg.

Yes, that's pretty much proof positive, and I'm sure well documented.         Earlier I was talking with my wife, and we pretty much have the "when" narrowed down:

1. First time the ALT & AST tests were run was Dec. '09 so either:
A. some other test in the routine labs indicated that the ALT & AST tests were warrented.
B. that Kaiser's exam protocal called for such tests, on a periodic basis.

So, I'm thinking that my exposure was sometime prior to 12/09, which would explain the fatigue and "flu like" symptoms I've been experiencing, the past 1+ years.

I do building maintenance @work, which is a correctional facility; occasionally I have to deal with sewer blockages.     I recall an incident where I did get an injury while taking care of a sewer problem, and hurrying back to the shop to clean & dress it.   I'll have to go back through our shift logs and try it find that entry, as I do recall logging it.       We usually have an Injury list, just pinned to a corkboard, for recording such incidents, but I recall that it was not in place.

-not really that relevent, but I would just like to check that, for my own edification.

sunny77 · Member

I guess I'm in the minority possibly, but I know the split second I got infected. A combative patient pulled out his IV insertion needle and whipped it across the room and lodged in my leg. I think I'll have nightmares for the rest of my life about the moment I looked down and saw the needle hanging out of my leg. cry

hrsetrdr · Guru

...a question that probably has no answer for most, but I've been asked several times: "when did you get Hep C?"

Is there a way to know? Perhaps some folks can connect the dots, and point to a specific incident, such as a needle prick in the medical lab, but otherwise- who would know "when"?

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