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Visited A Clinic That Seems To Use The Same Oral
Question: Visited a clinic that seems to use the same oral thermometer on patients without disinfecting it after its use. Can you get Hep. A, B,C, HIV, etc. after having the unclean thermometer in your mouth if you do not have any cracks or sores in your mouth and you are not immune compromised? What blood tests you should get after such an incident? If the saliva on the thermometer was able to dry up before it was used again on another patient, would this make any differences?
Brief Answer:
A low chance but still theoretically possible
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thank you for using the "Ask a doctor" service for your health-related questions.
I understand your concern.
Please note that there is an extremely remote possibility of HIV infection in this fashion. There's a very low chance that hepatitis viruses can be spread through saliva, they can survive in dried saliva or dried blood for up to seven days.
However, hepatitis B and C viruses are mainly spread through blood. In the event of open sores or skin breakage, the possibility of the virus transmission through an oral thermometer can be higher.
In the event of an infection, it would take up to six months for the symptoms to show. So if you suspect that you have been exposed to hep virus please see your doctor within two weeks so you can get a vaccine shot and a hepatitis B immune globulin from prevention.
I hope this answers your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Take care.
A low chance but still theoretically possible
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thank you for using the "Ask a doctor" service for your health-related questions.
I understand your concern.
Please note that there is an extremely remote possibility of HIV infection in this fashion. There's a very low chance that hepatitis viruses can be spread through saliva, they can survive in dried saliva or dried blood for up to seven days.
However, hepatitis B and C viruses are mainly spread through blood. In the event of open sores or skin breakage, the possibility of the virus transmission through an oral thermometer can be higher.
In the event of an infection, it would take up to six months for the symptoms to show. So if you suspect that you have been exposed to hep virus please see your doctor within two weeks so you can get a vaccine shot and a hepatitis B immune globulin from prevention.
I hope this answers your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Take care.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
Hi Dr. Ademovi,
thank you for your response.
Had Hepatitis B vaccine and developed immunity in 2002. The lab report in 2002 (16 years ago) says "This patient has either had an antibody response to HBV to HBV vaccination or has had Hepatitis B and recovered. This patient should be considered immune to hepatitis B." Do you lose immunity after so many years or is the vaccination/immunity developed good for life time? Is there a need worry about Hep. B given the lab report is 16 years ago? Besides Hepatitis A, B, C, and HIV, what other infection diseases need to be tested and be concerned about? I live in the United States.
thank you for your response.
Had Hepatitis B vaccine and developed immunity in 2002. The lab report in 2002 (16 years ago) says "This patient has either had an antibody response to HBV to HBV vaccination or has had Hepatitis B and recovered. This patient should be considered immune to hepatitis B." Do you lose immunity after so many years or is the vaccination/immunity developed good for life time? Is there a need worry about Hep. B given the lab report is 16 years ago? Besides Hepatitis A, B, C, and HIV, what other infection diseases need to be tested and be concerned about? I live in the United States.
Brief Answer:
May need to repeat vaccine
Detailed Answer:
Although in most people, immunity to Hep B can last a lifetime, In some cases, it starts to decrease ten years after immunization, the antibody titres start a steady decrease and a reimmunization may be necessary.
As per your second question, sharing a mouth thermometer may also put you to risk of contracting the Ebstein Barr virus.
I hope this answers your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Take care.
May need to repeat vaccine
Detailed Answer:
Although in most people, immunity to Hep B can last a lifetime, In some cases, it starts to decrease ten years after immunization, the antibody titres start a steady decrease and a reimmunization may be necessary.
As per your second question, sharing a mouth thermometer may also put you to risk of contracting the Ebstein Barr virus.
I hope this answers your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Take care.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Remy Koshy
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