Hep C Discussion Forum

Members Login
Username 
 
Password 
    Remember Me  
Chatbox
Please log in to join the chat!
Hep C Discussion Forum -> New Members Area -> Sewage Treatment worker
Post Info TOPIC: Sewage Treatment worker
Greg D


Senior Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 159
Date:
RE: Sewage Treatment worker
Permalink  
 

Thanks for taking the time to respond. Each of you have given me ideas to consider.
My last blood test was two weeks ago, so at the end of week 18 my neutrophils bld auto value was 2.35 and my wbc 4.0. Nurse is wondering if I'm taking my pills lol. I guess she thinks these numbers should be lower at this point in treatment (but she never said that). I'm not sure if having higher values now is a good thing or not. I will be careful and may not go to work at all for the last bit of tx.
Next blood test tomorrow and I will be back to tell you alllll about it lol.
Thank you again,

__________________

60 yo (2013), genotype 2b, started 28 week tx Sept.14, 2013. Triple Therapy (ribavirin, victrelis, peginterferon), VL 235k prior to tx, UND right through. EOT March 29, 2014. EOT24 Sept. 15, 2014 and EOT + ONE YEAR April 1, 2015 UND.... SVR!

 
newmex


Senior Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 157
Date:
Permalink  
 

Greg D,

Before I found out I had hep ,I worked in building maintenance, Was actually a supervisor but everyone always pitched it to get the job done so every one was exposed to every thing equally.  Looking back it, I would say we were 100% exposed to numerous diseases. Hep c among them. Our sterilizing techniques were  to rinse lightly with water,....maybe, and use hospital style rubber gloves that were usually shredded by jobs end. Cuts, scratches etc were common,.  I know if I did it now I would sure have a different attitude.  Be careful



__________________
John
Cinnamon Girl


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 5629
Date:
Permalink  
 

Hi Greg, good question, but it`s difficult for us to give advice without knowing what level of contact with raw sewage you are exposed to at work. 

You are more open to risk of infection while on treatment because your immune system will be lower and less effective than usual, due to the effect of the interferon on your while blood cells, but if you are wearing the correct protective gear that will certainly minimise the risk. 

Best to use your own judgement when weighing this up, and best of luck!  smile



__________________

Jill 

(71 yo, lives in UK)

Was Gen 3a, 

24wks Peg Ifn/Riba, Sep 2010 - Mch 2011

UND @ Wk.4, UND @ EOT, 

SVR Nov 2011 --> Still UND @ EOT + 4 yrs.

 

 
Tig


Admin

Status: Offline
Posts: 9284
Date:
Permalink  
 

Hi Greg,

Good to see you around! You need a wool blanket where you are brother!! BRRRR!!! I'm in Florida and we get cold when it drops into the 50's, lol!

I'm going to add my opinion and please accept it as just my opinion. I think you should stay as far away from your work environment as possible while you're on treatment!! FAR AWAY!! Excuse my drama, but Greg, your immune system is highly compromised right now due to the medications. You're very susceptible to contracting and developing infections. Your white blood cell count is likely quite low by week 20. Mine dropped down to 1.7 and they started giving me Neupogen shots to build up my white count. They also did their best to confine me to my home until those numbers rose. You work environment, being it's a sewage treatment facility is "swimming" in bacteria and viruses. You're very unsafe there and should stay clear (again, my opinion). Be cautious my friend. That's the last thing you need to happen now. Good luck!

Tig 



__________________

Tig

68yo GT1A - 5 Mil - A2/F3 - (1996) Intron A - Non Responder, (2013) Peg/Riba/Vic SOT:05/23/13 EOT:12/04/13 SVR 9+ years!

Hep C FAQ   Lab Ref. Ranges  HCV Resistance

Signature Line Set Up/Abbreviations   Payment Assistance

 
hrsetrdr


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 940
Date:
Permalink  
 

Hi Greg,

I am sure that you would be safe to be at work if you used rubber boots & gloves,, and washed hands often, to reduce / eliminate contact cross contamination. I used to have to deal with sewer blockages, workng as a building maintenance mechanic in detention/correctional facilities,. Protective gear such as rubber boots & gloves, and disposable medical exam type gloves really are essential for safe sewage working.     Best of luck with the rest of your 3x tx. 



__________________

"hrsetrdr"=Tim

Treatment halted on Aug.8,2012 due to vision problem.  6 month post tx labs

Aug.2013 SVR

Be strong when you are weak, brave when you are scared, and humble when you are victorious.
- Unknown

 

 
Greg D


Senior Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 159
Date:
Permalink  
 

Hello and thank you all for being here!

This site is a wool blanket in front of a hot fire on a cold night in north central Canada.

I work in a municipal sewage treatment center and collection system for a city of 70,000. I have all my protective shots i.e. Twinrex, flu shot, and some I can't spell. I am also in week 20 of hep c treatment which entails triple therapy. I only go to work when I feel I'm 100% safe to do so (which isn't very often) but am I safe being there? I realize that this may be an unfair question as not many people know this type of working environment.

 It's okay if you don't really know.

Thank you.



__________________

60 yo (2013), genotype 2b, started 28 week tx Sept.14, 2013. Triple Therapy (ribavirin, victrelis, peginterferon), VL 235k prior to tx, UND right through. EOT March 29, 2014. EOT24 Sept. 15, 2014 and EOT + ONE YEAR April 1, 2015 UND.... SVR!

 
Page 1 of 1  sorted by
 
Quick Reply

Please log in to post quick replies.
Hep C Discussion Forum -> New Members Area -> Sewage Treatment worker
Legal Disclaimer:

THIS FORUM, IT'S OWNERS, ADMINISTRATORS, MODERATORS AND MEMBERS DO NOT AT ANY TIME GIVE MEDICAL ADVICE AND IN ALL CASES REFER ANYONE HERE TO SEEK APPROPRIATE MEDICAL ADVICE FROM THEIR DOCTOR.