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Hep C Discussion Forum -> General Discussion -> When does a DRAGON reared his ugly head ?
Post Info TOPIC: When does a DRAGON reared his ugly head ?
Cinnamon Girl


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When does a DRAGON reared his ugly head ?
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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!  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.

 

 
KPB


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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  ?

 

 

 



__________________

SOT 06-01-2015,  VL - 1088513 , LOG - 6.04, Genotype - 1A , Fibrosis -  F3 , 59 yr. old male ,

VL - < 15 ,  LOG - < 1.18, @ 3 week blood test 

EOT 07-27-2015,  VL -   UND  ,   @ 9 week blood test  , 

NEXT BLOOD TEST - 08-01-2016
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