HCV has been proven to live for up to 6 weeks outside the body so anything with blood on it could be a risk.

For <$50 I would be inclined to renew all those little personal grooming items. None are a big risk, except razors which are the big risk item because we do cut ourselves with them relatively routinely so the potential for blood blood contact is reasonably clear (plus I have personally seen 2 parents get infected by a son using mum and dads razors)

Damn I forgot about this ….and I imagine more likely to occur with cirrhotics who have low platelets and may bleed more easily from the gums etc. Just another stressor I didn’t need. Anyone know the incubation time for HCV ? If re-infected how soon would it be detectable in blood test ?

Just another thing the clinics and health system generally fail to emphasise and reinforce when they put people on treatment – no wonder HCV sufferers feel neglected. Just as they failed to inform me about ascites complications – provided spironolactone but wasn’t told how abdominal tissue can tear or the effect on lungs till I was admitted to ER. I have to keep reminding myself of the incredible work load pressure they are all under.

The doctors are under sufficient pressure dealing with individual case by case issues – with general information such as this patients should be personally told by nurses and given fact sheets ( attractive, shiny, colourful cards made by the health dept) – and told that it is very important, needs to be read and taken away as a constant reminder.

HCV incubation Period 15 to 50 days (average: 28 days).

Just an idea: I believe that many have faced various concerns, fears or phobias before, during and after the treatment, until they finally received the SVR 12/24 result of “undetected” or the sad one of “relapse”.

Would it perhaps make sense to open a separate thread, so that people may talk about such type of worries?

Regards,
RHF