Since We're Talking Health

[Willy P]

A month ago I was diagnosed with hepatitis C (the bad one). I don't use intravenous drugs, I don't have any tattoos, I don't do or participate in any of the leading causes of the disease, but I'm infected. When I had my arm operated on in July, one of the doctors pricked themselves with something, so they ran a series of blood tests and while clear of anything else, this came up positive. On October 15th, I meet with the specialist to start treatment to eradicate it. Depending on how long I've been infected there's a lot on my plate. Either the treatment goes well and liver damage is minimal or, in the worst case, I go on a transplant list.

Now the crux of where I'm going with this- first off, I'm getting the best care possible, but , when I talked to my family doctor, we went over possible scenarios that may have caused this. As noted above, those weren't applicable. That left 2 possibilities. It was transmitted during one of the 2 surgeries I had previously or it came from my "dirty" job. I mulled it over and, yes we do come in contact with a lot of possibilities day to day. Think about what we do - we clean blood, feces, urine and a host of other stuff without even knowing. This is just a reminder to take all the precautions you can and be very careful - too lazy to run to the truck to get gloves? Don't do it. Wear a respirator? I'm only gonna be a minute. Piss poor excuse. Think about your about it.I'm usually really good about protecting myself on the job and nearly always wear PPE . Look after yourselves - things can change in just a second.

 

[Desk Jockey]

We give our tech's the option of the HEP series of shots, most get them but some don't because the don't want to be injected with Hepatitis. We document their refusal. We see some nasty....shit on a daily basis.

Willy I thought you could get it from a hand rail or door knob for up to 2-weeks or is that a different hepatitis?

 

[Willy P]

Mayo clinic - Hepatitis C infection is caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV). HCV is spread when you come in contact with blood contaminated with the virus. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hepatitis-c/DS00097/DSECTION=treatments-and-drugs

I'm sure we've all cleaned up a few drips of blood. It could have been transmitted by a tiny cut on my hand while doing that. I don't know or am I likely to ever find out. If it was my choice, those refusing the shots, especially with what they're involved in would be pushing brooms for their own safety. To my expanding knowledge of hep c, there is no shots to prevent it.

 

[John Olson]

the HEP series doesn't protect you from Hep C...It is a blood transfer infection. You can't get it from a toilet seat or a hand rail unless you have an open wound that came into prolonged contact with the source. They call it the junky disease because how it is transferred. It is actually really hard to get compared to the other HEP letters but it is also incurable unlike the other HEP Letters..

 

[Willy P]

John Olson" data-source="post: 4244323" class="bbCodeBlock bbCodeBlock--expandable bbCodeBlock--quote js-expandWatch">

the HEP series doesn't protect you from Hep C...It is a blood transfer infection. You can't get it from a toilet seat or a hand rail unless you have an open wound that came into prolonged contact with the source. They call it the junky disease because how it is transferred. It is actually really hard to get compared to the other HEP letters but it is also incurable unlike the other HEP Letters..

Most of what you say is true John, but cures are possible. The treatment regimen can take up to a year and aren't the easiest.

http://www.webmd.com/hepatitis/news/20070521/hepatitis-c-cures-now-common

 

[Desk Jockey]

Sorry to hear that Willy hopefully it hasn't done any damage to you.

 

[John Olson]

Most of what you say is true John, but cures are possible. The treatment regimen can take up to a year and aren't the easiest.

http://www.webmd.com/hepatitis/news/20070521/hepatitis-c-cures-now-common

that's good to know. I knew they had been making some really strong headway but hadn't heard they are claiming to be able to cure Hep C. I fell in the following statement"Bacon, who directs the division of hepatology at Saint Louis University School of Medicine, says many patients -- and even their primary care physicians -- still do not understand that HCV infection can be cured.
“The overwhelming perception is that this is a disease that can be controlled, but not cured,” he says. “That is why infected people are often hesitant to even consider treatment.”

 

[Willy P]

Sorry to hear that Willy hopefully it hasn't done any damage to you.

The purpose of my post isn't about me,- shit happens - but about making our workplace as safe as possible. Did I make one guy put gloves on? Good. More guys using PPE? Excellent!

 

[Willy P]

John Olson" data-source="post: 4244334" class="bbCodeBlock bbCodeBlock--expandable bbCodeBlock--quote js-expandWatch">

that's good to know. I knew they had been making some really strong headway but hadn't heard they are claiming to be able to cure Hep C. I fell in the following statement"Bacon, who directs the division of hepatology at Saint Louis University School of Medicine, says many patients -- and even their primary care physicians -- still do not understand that HCV infection can be cured.
“The overwhelming perception is that this is a disease that can be controlled, but not cured,” he says. “That is why infected people are often hesitant to even consider treatment.”

I was under that impression for a while too. It was a pretty scary place.
This guy is supposed to be one of the best in practice around here - and being half German, we should get along fine.
http://www.ratemds.com/doctor-ratings/45084/Dr-Siegfried-Erb-Vancouver-BC.html

 

[jcooper]

Heck Willy, I think most of us who actually work/get dirty/sweat have constant small cuts and nicks! And to be "real", who knows what we are actually touching/coming in contact with on a daily basis. Mix some blood with another type of stain or spot, you would never know it's there.

I'm going to put some gloves in the spotting bag, thanks.

I have an uncle(also god father) who has had hep c for a LONG time and he's going great. Hang in there, do what they(doc) tell ya.

 

[Willy P]

That's great to hear Jerry. You're right on the money about the constant nicks and little cuts and even scratches we ignore. I speent 4 days in hospital once when I nicked a knuckle on some tack strip. It was just a little nick.

 

[ruff]

Thanks Willy.
And I sure hope that things work for the better for you.

 

[Brian H]

I have an uncle(also god father) who has had hep c for a LONG time and he's going great. Hang in there, do what they(doc) tell ya.

I had an uncle that also had Hep C from a blood transfusion. Sadly, he didn't do what the doctors told him....he passed away about 15 years ago.

Lots of progress in those 15 years, especially if you follow the advice of your doctor. Good luck Willie!!

 

[Steve Toburen]

Sorry to hear about your diagnosis, Willy. But fantastic that it may be cured or at least controlled. You know, my boss Nick Paollela says his diabetes diagnosis (another feared disease) 35 years ago was the best thing that ever happened to him because it forced him to take care of himself.

Steve

PS And yes, Willy, I second your PPE reminders. I sold my company in 1991 and I still marvel that I haven't (yet) been diagnosed with a serious disease due to my sloppy safety procedures.

 

[Jimmy L]

My prayers certainly go out for you man and with dealing with that pulled bicep muscle and all.

But are you sure you didn't get that hepatitus from licking toilets seats at a lesbian dive bar?