Question: Dear Doctor,I always carry my own shaving tools to the barber's shop. But about 3 weeks back I forgot to carry my own shaving cream and ended up using the cream from a cup that belonged to the shop. Sure I asked the guy to clean it properly with hot water and all that. But I got a nick during the shave. Now since I live in a country where HCV prevalence is 15-20%, and I understand that HCV is highly infectious, I am really very concerned that I might be infected. In case I am infected, when and what test should I get done? Please help, I am extremely worried.
Answer: Dear User, I have gone through the details provided by you. Hepatitis C is transmitted through blood or infected needles and instruments. The best way of sterilizing contaminated instruments or other articles is autoclaving. All other methods of disinfection are less reliable. Boiling water or hot water as you describe is not very effective against HCV. However, the overall risk in your case appears to be low for the following reasons:
- 1. The cup was scrubbed clean, so virus removal could occur because of mechanical action
- 2. HCV is an enveloped virus. Detergent action of the shaving cream is expected to work against the virus.
I would say that you do not need to be very anxious at the moment. Yet, to be on the safer side I recommend that you get tested with a HCV RNA polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test at 3 weeks. Since it has already been about 3 weeks since this incidence, you can get this test done to be absolutely sure that you are not infected.
Hope this advice helps you.
Best Regards,
Dr. Samuel Grief, MD
Follow-up Question: As suggested by you, I did a HCV RNA Quantitative PCR. My report says: Result < 15 IU/ML (Below Detection Limit). Time: 21 Days after expected exposure. What does this result mean? Am I 100% free from HCV? If not, what more tests should I do?
Follow-up Answer: The HCV RNA count is reported as <15 IU/ml as this the lower limit of detection of this test. Even if no virus is present, it will be reported as <15 IU/ml. So as per your test result, you are not infected. If you are still in doubt you can repeat the same test at 8 weeks, though I do not think you need to. The PCR test is highly reliable at 3 weeks and I do not recommend repeat testing in low risk cases that test negative.
Hope this advice helps you.
Best Regards,
Dr. Samuel Grief, MD
