how common is hep c and HIV transmission...

Both are rare, but Hep C transmission is much more common than HIV.

 

If I recall, HIV conversion after a needlestick from a known infected patient is ~0.3%. HCV is closer to ~10%. Relatively rare, but why take the chance. Practice safe protocols and don't stick yourself.

 

...huh? Are you wanting to try it out on yourself or something?

As I understand it, salivary transmission of HIV & HCV is more like "theoretically possible under perfect circumstances" than something you really have to worry about.

Either way, I recommend not sticking yourself with needles other people have licked, and not allowing other folks to spit in your open wounds.

 

The risk of HIV transmission is 0.3%, and for Hep C it's 1.8%.

Evanoff B, Kim L, Mutha S, et al: Compliance with universal precautions among emergency department personnel caring for trauma patients. Ann Emerg Med 33:106-165, 1999.

Also, open-bore instruments (needles) carry a higher risk than suture needles, etc. I will take an HIV patient any day over a Hep C patient.

 

Licking a needle, Yummmmmmmm

 

How much does the risk decrease given one has had the three doses of the hep vaccine administered? Does the hep vaccine apply to A, B, and C?

 

http://www.virusmyth.net/aids/

 

Only to B, which also gives cross immunity to Hep D.

 

whisky tango foxtrot?

 

Yeah, that's what I'm thinking too...

 

I work at a biotech company on HBV. Here's some facts that they gave us:

Hepatitis B is the most common serious liver infection in the world. It is caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV) that attacks liver cells and can lead to liver failure, cirrhosis (scarring) or cancer of the liver. The virus is transmitted through contact with blood and bodily fluids that contain blood. Most people are able to fight off an hepatitis B infection and clear the virus from their blood. This may take up to six months. While the virus is present in their blood, infected people can pass the virus on to others. Approximately 5-10% of adults, 30-50% of children, and 90% of babies will not get rid of the virus and will develop chronic infection. Chronically infected people can pass the virus on to others and are at increased risk for liver problems later in life.

The hepatitis B virus is 100 times more infectious than the AIDS virus. Yet, hepatitis B can be prevented with a safe and effective vaccine. For the 400 million people worldwide who are chronically infected with hepatitis B the vaccine is of no use. However, there are promising new treatments for those who live with chronic hepatitis B. Hepatitis B is most efficiently transmitted through blood and infected bodily fluids. This can occur through direct blood-to-blood contact, unprotected sex, illicit drug use, and from an infected woman to her newborn during the delivery process.

Hepatitis B can be spread by
• unprotected sex
• sharing IV drug needles
• living in a household with an infected person
• an infected mother to her newborn child at birth
• sharing earrings, razors, or toothbrushes with an infected person
• unsterilized needles, including tattoo or piercing needles
• human bites
Hepatitis B is not spread by
• kissing on the cheek or lips
• coughing or sneezing
• casual contact such as hugging or holding hands
• eating food prepared by an infected individual
People are most at risk for hepatitis B if they
• are born to mothers who are infected with HBV
• live in close household contact with a chronically infected individual
• adopt a child from a country where HBV is prevalent
• have unprotected sex or have more than one sexual partner in a six month period
• have ever been diagnosed with a sexually transmitted disease (STD)
• men who have sex with men
• share needles and syringes
• are health care provider or emergency responder with possible contact with bodily fluids
• are a patient on kidney dialysis
• live or work in an institutional setting, such as a prison or group home

Also, after a person has been exposed to HBV, appropriate treatment, given in an appropriate time frame, can effectively prevent infection. The mainstay of post exposure immunoprophylaxis is hepatitis B vaccine, but in some settings the addition of HBIG will provide some increase in protection. There is a separate vaccine for HAV. There is no vaccine for HCV.

 

The larger the bore the greater the risk. (eq Anesthetic needles in dentistry carry a lower risk than IV needles.) It is also important to note that there is not a single documented case of patient to dental provider (Assistant, Hygienist, Dentist, etc...) transmission of HIV in the United States.

 

Actually I heard of some, i forgot the exact article but yes it had occured before. Also you go to worry about protecting your eyes, you do not want to have blood squirt in your eyes when drilling. Maybe I am a germo-phob, I took an Advanced AIDs and Society Upper Division Elective in undergrad and also volunteered in an AIDS clinic for 1 year with a faculty member who was/is on President Bush's AIDs Advisery's Committee. I volunteered to help releave the stress or thought that there is soooooooooooooo much of a slim chance to get patient to doctor infections (any doctor DMD,DDS, DPM, etc...). Little did i find out the darn experience scared me sh*tless and did opposite of what i took the elective for. LoL, I remember having to take Medical Orientation Classes during beginning of Med School about abusing drugs/alcohol, I guess there is such a figure that 40% of most doctors did or will abuse either or , or both. I also loved how they showed us a True Story Video of a Pedo. Surgeon Resident just about to finish her residency, was off duty and was on her way down the hospital halls to her car. She noticed a baby chocking and gave the baby unprotected CPR out of instinct, and little did she know the baby was HIV+ through birth (if you have HIV or AIDs and get a kid, there is a high chance your kids will inherent the virus). All in all, the freakin resident went over 12 years to school and all these loans and before even practicing and making the big bucks she get infected with HIV. Who would of thought? It is a baby? And it is human instinct and even more human instinct when your a physician to revive any patient just like it is for a cop to protect even off duty. Sad story, felt bad, then felt why the F*ck did the school show us the video to begin with, it turned out so they can "encourage us" to carry around those annoying CPR covers with us at all times.

 

Do the viruses (from STDS such as HIV) live in the saliva?

 

Herpes - yes when there are open lesions
HIV - not in any amount that can result in transmission
HBV/HVC - no

Almost all other STDs are bacterial.

 

Yeah, my sisters-cousins-brothers-maid tolded me so...

Is this supposed to impress?

 

Which is what really answers the OP's question. Others have posted transmission rates, but those are rates in general from infected patients. The OP is wondering what the rates are upon contamination with saliva itself, in which case the rates are 0%.

 

This is peripheral, but hepA immunization is also available.

 

It's a little off, but also related. Which of the three heps is the mildest? One card says A, another says C. Thanks.

 

A.

I don't file anything that can give you cancer under "mild."