I'm in a profession with higher risk of transmission

[Amber98]

I work as a police officer and the area I work, I come into contact with people who are drug addicts and many have hep C.

I have read the info on http://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/c/cfaq.htm but it doesn't answer my question if hep C can get transferred through a bite or through spitting at someone and possible getting spit in the eye. Although I'm presuming by saying "not spread through coughing or sneezing" means no risk through spitting.

The misinformation in my workforce is huge. Some are highly afraid of being bit and some say it's not contacted in this way.

Please I'd like to be directed to some true info, thank you in advance!

[hoping4cure]

Transmission of hepatitis C virus by saliva?

" Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is of increasing importance and HCV is transmitted by unknown routes as well as by the percutaneous route and sexual contact. Contact with blood or other body fluids may be responsible, as may be receipt of unscreened blood or blood product transfusions.

HCV-RNA can be detected by the polymerase chain reaction which also shows that HCV may be present in the saliva of HCV-infected patients. This might provide an argument for the possible transmission of HCV via contaminated saliva. Epidemiological studies however, suggest that the infective capacity of HCV viral particles in saliva is low, but it has not been possible to determine their infective potential."

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15984954

[Idyllic]

That PDF Flyinlynn posted was interesting because I thought 'high risk groups' were those who have practices resulting in frequent exposures to blood or risk factors for transmission like health professionals. But the PDF said that Police (in Australia anyway) were the second group likely to be at risk according to the study.

It also says to assume all blood and bodily fluids are potentially infectious.  I have heard that before. I remember the Phlebotomist at LabCorp telling me that.

You might want to check with HR or your employment manual to see how the matter is addressed. Be sure to get vaccinated for Hepatitis A and B if you have not done so already

As far as spit goes which is more of a body fluid (??) is that Hepatitis C is a blood borne virus. That means a blood to blood exchange has to take place. The person's infected blood has to somehow get into your blood stream. I'm not sure what the odds are but I do not see how HCV could be transmitted that way.

Here's another link if you are in the mood to read:
http://www.epidemic.org/thefacts/theepidemic/USRiskGroups/

[flyinlynn]

Hi

My guess is that if they are bleeding from the mouth and bite you that could be a possible concern as that could be a way to have their blood mixed with your blood. Hep C is a blood borne virue and requires blood to blood contact.

I found a link for Australia New Zealand Policing Advising Agency titled
Police and Blood-Borne Viruses

http://www.ashm.org.au/images/pdfs/publications/1976963382_POLICE_Booklet_V2.0.pdf

Looks like it had good info.

Per the site it lists among other things

Saliva in mouth or eyes and bites that break the skin  risk hep C zero

Blood and saliva to intact skin and skin-to-skin contact risk hep C zero

also discusses HIV and Hep B

Hope that helps
Lynn

[Sovaldi13Newbie]

I'm no expert, perhaps someone will come on here who knows more than I do because we're laymen for the most part. But I had unprotected sex with 2 long term partners(before I knew I had this) and they are both fine. I've had this over 30 years and everyone I know that I've come in close contact with are fine. If you don't have blood to blood contact I think you're chances of getting it are next to nil. It is mostly contracted through rough sex (involving blood to blood contact) needle injection for drug users or people that have undergone transfusion before certain dates...They say you can get it through coke straws but I would think that would be difficult to do... I know a lot of people from the 80s who did coke that way and I don't know anyone of them who were infected. So yes, there's a question of possible vs likely. If you can't get it through kissing, I don't see how you can get it if someone spits at you. But like I say, I'm no expert. There is sooooo much bad information that goes around that only adds to the stigma and fear. Just my thoughts.