Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

Exposure at work?

I was working in the hospital when I noticed some grime under my nail. I pulled out a bleach wipe to clean in between my nail. I was trying to be safe and open the lid with a piece of gauze and then used the 3rd wipe out of the group tp clean my nail. I remembered my co-worker a week prior probably used a wipe or two to clean some hepc infected abdominal fluid. I'm ocd and keep thinking I might have touched the lid somehow with the wipe. I did notice my nail was a little red under the bed ( I kept pulling it back to look to see if I had any cut there. The CDC and other hep advisors thought there wasn't risk. what's my risk?
2 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Avatar universal
Thanks. I was just worried that I touch some dry infected fluid off of the lid and washed it in my nail bed with the Clorox wipe. Lots of what ifs.
Helpful - 0
3 Comments
Hep c is in blood and it has to enter your blood stream. What you have described is not a risk
I need to relax and use some common sense. My skin inside my nail was bit red and might had a small tear ( who knows ).I know I kept pulling at it all day and it started to hurt when I put peroxide on it after work. I'm overthinking this.
I agree you are worrying yourself over nothing.

Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
683231 tn?1467323017
None

Just to add there are no medical professionals here just patients who are or were infected with hep c

This is an online support group of patients.

But regardless your risk is zero. My suggestion would be to get treated for the medial condition you actually do have, OCD and obsessive fears about the very low risk of contracting a curable illness.
Helpful - 0
3 Comments
I know there wasn't a great chance to get hep c but I am still worried.
How long do I have to wait to take a test. Some say 12 weeks others say 24. I am alreafy taking a hep c follow up for a cut I received 12 weeks ago.
12 weeks is the soonest but for those with compromised immune systems it can take up to 24 weeks for enough antibodies to develop. So to be very confident of the accuracy of results wait 24 weeks.

Hep c infected blood has to enter your blood stream through an open wet wound. This was not the case in the situation as you have described it.  Even a healthcare worker who experiences an accidental needlestick involving a patient with known hepatitis C the risk is only 1.8%

Your time and money would be better spent speaking with a counselor and possible getting prescribed medicine for your anxiety rather than getting tested for condition you do not have, that takes decades to cause damage for most people, and that there is no reason to worry about contracting as hep c is today easily cured.
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Hepatitis C Community

Top Hepatitis Answerers
317787 tn?1473358451
DC
683231 tn?1467323017
Auburn, WA
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Answer a few simple questions about your Hep C treatment journey.

Those who qualify may receive up to $100 for their time.
Explore More In Our Hep C Learning Center
image description
Learn about this treatable virus.
image description
Getting tested for this viral infection.
image description
3 key steps to getting on treatment.
image description
4 steps to getting on therapy.
image description
What you need to know about Hep C drugs.
image description
How the drugs might affect you.
image description
These tips may up your chances of a cure.
Popular Resources
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Condoms are the most effective way to prevent HIV and STDs.
PrEP is used by people with high risk to prevent HIV infection.