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Possible Exposure To Hep C Infected Blood. Should I Get Myself Tested?
hello, i work as a healthcare provider and i had a patient with hep c last monday (a week ago). After I draw blood from the patient, I found that a couple drips of blood on my scrubs. I took my groves off and decided to change. After I realized I had a cut on my hand and I don't know the blood contacted the cut. I'm kind of worry because hepatitis stays for a long time, even dried blood. when should I go tested?
Mon, 3 Jun 2013
Hi,
Welcome to HCM,
As a healthcare worker chances of exposure to possible hepatitis are high due to needle prick or contact to blood or products.
In general risk is It takes about 6–8 weeks following infection before the immunoassay will test positive.
HCV RNA can be detected by PCR typically one to two weeks after infection.
Usually PCR test is costly and you can wait for few weeks and then test your self the kind of exposure hopefully you will get negative test result.
but it is important that you go for test.
Healthcare worker should always take universal precautions.(Please indicate if you find this useful)
Take care
Good Luck.
Dr.Akhilesh Dubey M.D.
Welcome to HCM,
As a healthcare worker chances of exposure to possible hepatitis are high due to needle prick or contact to blood or products.
In general risk is It takes about 6–8 weeks following infection before the immunoassay will test positive.
HCV RNA can be detected by PCR typically one to two weeks after infection.
Usually PCR test is costly and you can wait for few weeks and then test your self the kind of exposure hopefully you will get negative test result.
but it is important that you go for test.
Healthcare worker should always take universal precautions.(Please indicate if you find this useful)
Take care
Good Luck.
Dr.Akhilesh Dubey M.D.
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