Question about contracting Hep C..

[Bambooshoot]

Hey guys. I am an IV drug user. Normally I am extremely careful and always use my own clean works. (I sometimes have to re-use if I am too sick to make it to the pharmacy) I was ill and careless and mine got mixed up with my friends works who has been infected with hep C (I may or may not have re-used his rig, there is no way to tell.) but was treated and rid of the virus. I spoke to him about it and he said he is not a 'carrier'. I was wondering if anyone knows at how much risk am I of having contracted the virus? I understand the only way to really know/tell is to get tested which I shall do either way, but would still like some insight from anyone with knowledge or experience with this. Thank you. EDIT; Apologies for the lack of paragraphs, I am on my phone and it doesn't like them apparently! >_>

 

[T. Calderone]

OK when you said your friend had been infected with hep c but was treated and got rid of the virus, how can you know for sure? Go ahead and get yourself tested just to be safe. Just because he claims to not be a carrier doesn't mean it's not transmissible. Take care!

 

[Maya]

^yes exactly OP you have to go and get tested this is the only way to know for sure if you have contracted the virus or not.

 

[Bambooshoot]

OK when you said your friend had been infected with hep c but was treated and got rid of the virus, how can you know for sure? Go ahead and get yourself tested just to be safe. Just because he claims to not be a carrier doesn't mean it's not transmissible. Take care!

I cannot know for sure of course. But if we were to say he was telling the truth does the fact that he is not 'carrying' an active virus not mean the chances of my contracting it are greatly reduced? As I said in my OP I will be getting tested regardless.

 

[Maya]

What I have read is that hep c doesn't really go away since it is a chronic illness:

http://familydoctor.org/familydoctor/en/diseases-conditions/hepatitis-c.html

I would say that the chances are quite high but then again we wouldn't know for sure unless you get tested

 

[Foreigner]

There's already a Hep C megathread that can answer your question:
http://www.bluelight.ru/vb/threads/674649-Hepatitis-C-MEGATHREAD

Hep C is transmitted blood to blood and the most effective way to do that is by sharing needles. You are in what we would call the highest risk category.

Many people experience flu-like symptoms within a few weeks of onset, while others experience none. In the mean time, I would avoid sharing rigs (which you should be avoiding anyway), and unprotected sex. Also don't share toothbrushes, hair brushes, or nail clippers as these are also vectors to infect others.

Get tested at 12 weeks.