Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
Can hepatitis C be transferred if the blood is in a dried state? For example, it dried on a surface and you touch it with another dry object or with dry hands. I understand if you wet the dry blood to clean it up, it can transfer, but I am talking in a strictly dry state.
I was told it is not transferable once dried if it is touched or brushed against by other objects. I am wondering if you touch it when it is wet with your hands or another object and transfer the undried blood to other areas of the home without knowing it. I was concerned about touching the blood after it had dried without knowing it was there.
Kindly help.
Hello,
Welcome to icliniq.com.
No, once it has dried, the hepatitis C virus is not transmitted and cannot spread the disease when it comes in contact with intact skin. Also, with drying, the virus gets inactivated. Even in a wet state, just contact of blood with intact skin (not mucosa), unlikely to transmit the virus, as skin acts as a barrier for transmission.
I hope that this answers your query.
Kindly follow up if you have more doubts.
Thank you.
Patient's Query
Thank you doctor,
Does rewetting the dried blood extend the life of the virus or will it still die within three weeks? I may have touched some dried blood with wet hair and then laid on my pillow. I just want to confirm that this will not extend the life of the virus outside the body. I know it can live in dried blood for up to three weeks so I want to make sure it will not still be there.
Hi,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
Yes, theoretically, viral life should be prolonged, although we do not have any definitive studies to demonstrate this practically. Additionally, wetting will reduce the temperature of the dried blood and can prolong its life.
But, in your case, we do not know how effectively the blood was mixed with water in order to effectively prolong their lives. Also, the infectivity of dried blood is usually less, and intact skin is unlikely to transmit it. However, you may get yourself tested in order to clear the doubt, and a negative test will confirm the things.
Overall, the possibility of transmission is very less in your setting. Practically, in addition to literature, in our hospitals, many times even wet blood comes in contact with the intact skin of many workers and colleagues, but it has not resulted in transmission.
I hope that this answers your query.
Kindly follow up if you have more doubts.
Thank you.
Patient's Query
Thank you doctor,
Three weeks for the blood being left in my house and my wet hair just touched it.
Hi,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
I do not think you need to worry about it, but if the blood was present in the house, then it is better to get tested once, especially if you are not sure regarding the other modes of transmission. But, regarding this discussion, the probability is very low.
I hope that this answers your query.
Kindly follow up if you have more doubts.
Thank you.
Patient's Query
Thank you doctor,
How long should I wait before getting tested, given the blood was in the house and the possible rewetting of it today?
Hi,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
At four weeks, you should get HCV (hepatitis C virus) RNA levels done. After four weeks, along with SGOT (Serum Glutamic Oxaloacetic Transaminase) and SGPT (Serum Glutamic Pyruvic Transaminase). Although this is enough for most individuals, rare cases may be missed, so the test is repeated at four months, where we do HCV RNA and anti-HCV antibodies, SGOT, and SGPT.
I hope that this answers your query.
Kindly follow up if you have more doubts.
Thank you.
Was this conversation helpful?
Answered byDr. Sagar Ramesh Makode
Medically reviewed byiCliniq medical review team
Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!
Related Questions
Other than alcohol, what is causing my AST to ALT ratio abnormal?
Is it fine to stop with 8 weeks course of treatment for hepatitis C?
Can hepatitis B be transmitted by saliva?
Will I transmit TB to my partner after completion of the TB medicine?
Nipah Virus: Stay Safe from This Deadly Disease
What does it mean if I tested positive for hepatitis C?
Disclaimer: No content published on this website is intended to be a substitute for professional medical diagnosis, advice or treatment by a trained physician. Seek advice from your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with questions you may have regarding your symptoms and medical condition for a complete medical diagnosis. Do not delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice because of something you have read on this website. Read our Editorial Process to know how we create content for health articles and queries.
