Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

Infected? What do you think?

I had an incident in a public bathroom at work (I work at a university) while changing a tampon. I had my old tampon and went to throw it away in the special feminine-hygiene trashcan, which is a small box on the wall. As I went to throw the old tampon away, I felt my hand touch either the trash can or the trash bag or both. I then used my hand to insert a new tampon. I think any touching of the trash bag/trash can was minor, but I understand that it only takes microscopic amounts of Hep-C blood to infect a person.

I'm worried because 1) it was a container for menstrual products, so blood is an obvious risk, 2) sometimes I have vaginal dryness that causes pain when I remove tampons, so I wonder if I had any abrasions in my vagina? Also, there is the mucus membrane of the genitalia. How likely is it that individuals contract Hep C through mucous membranes?

I wish I could remember the event. I don't remember which parts of my hand touched the container/trash bag, and then which parts touched the tampon. The event was about three weeks ago and I intend to try to get a PCR test today.
1 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
683231 tn?1467323017
Not likely. Even in the case of a health care worker who experiences a needle stick  involving a patient with known hepatitis C the odds of transmission in that circumstance is only about 1.8%
Helpful - 0
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.