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How Is Hepatitis C Transmitted?

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Posted on Sat, 7 Jun 2014
Question: On Wednesday or thursday i was out walking with my husband and stepped on a open tampon. i dn't see any noticable blood. but i didn't look closely. I was wondering what are my Risk for HEP C, should i bleach my shoes? i am worried that if i wear my shoes now they will still have the blood/diease on them and i can spend it around my house and family
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ivo Ditah (23 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Your risk is 0%

Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you so much for this query.

I understand your fear about the possible transmission of HepC by blood and bodily fluids. However, there is just no risk of contracting this infection by stepping on a tampon. Remember we are talking of viruses that are very fragile and die if not within a living cell. Blood contains death tissues and viruses would not otherwise survive. This is why transmission is often by direct exposure from an infected person. There is no need for and special measures and you can go about without any further worries.

You would not spread any disease around the house. feel free and know that you carry no extra risk associated with this as nothing suggests exposure and any risk here is negligible and inexistent.

In all, there is no risk of contamination here and you should not be afraid of spreading infection around the house. You need no further action about this.

I hope this helps. I wish you well. Thank you so much for using our services and please feel free to ask for more information and clarification if need be.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Ivo Ditah (56 minutes later)
so even though Hep C can live out side the body for weeks i am still not at risk?
Is there no way to get the disease on my shoe?
There for it wouldn't be able to make it into the house?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ivo Ditah (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
HepC can only survive in a living cell!

Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you so much for following up with me. A virus can survive out of the human body only when in a living cell. The cells were surely death because they were not stored under good conditions.

If infections could be easily transmitted this way, then a majority of persons should have contracted this illness before. There is absolutely no reason to worry. Get that troubling though out of your min and replace it with a more reassuring and valid one.

I wish you well.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Ivo Ditah (25 hours later)
So even if i wear the shoes in the house and around my family there is no way to get hepC because it most likely would already be dead before i had stepped on the tampon?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ivo Ditah (46 hours later)
Brief Answer:
That's correct!

Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks for this follow up.

There is just no risk for you to have contracted HepC through this means. Do not nurse and harness terrible thoughts that would not be helpful to you.

Thanks.
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Ivo Ditah

Internal Medicine Specialist

Practicing since :2002

Answered : 3984 Questions

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How Is Hepatitis C Transmitted?

Brief Answer: Your risk is 0% Detailed Answer: Hi and thank you so much for this query. I understand your fear about the possible transmission of HepC by blood and bodily fluids. However, there is just no risk of contracting this infection by stepping on a tampon. Remember we are talking of viruses that are very fragile and die if not within a living cell. Blood contains death tissues and viruses would not otherwise survive. This is why transmission is often by direct exposure from an infected person. There is no need for and special measures and you can go about without any further worries. You would not spread any disease around the house. feel free and know that you carry no extra risk associated with this as nothing suggests exposure and any risk here is negligible and inexistent. In all, there is no risk of contamination here and you should not be afraid of spreading infection around the house. You need no further action about this. I hope this helps. I wish you well. Thank you so much for using our services and please feel free to ask for more information and clarification if need be.