How Long Can Hepatitis C Survive Outside the Body?
Other People Are Reading
-
Hepatitis C types and symptoms
-
Humans transmit hepatitis C virus through blood or sexual contact. Once inside the body, hepatitis C virus causes an inflammation of the liver. No vaccine against hepatitis C exists, but preventative measures can be taken to avoid the blood of those infected.
Acute hepatitis C virus (HCV) often leads to chronic (long term) HCV infections. An acute infection happens within 6 months of exposure to the virus with 20 to 30 percent showing symptoms: fever, yellowing of the skin or eyes, fatigue, abdominal pain or loss of appetite. Chronic infection with HCV affects 75 to 85 percent of those infected with hepatitis C virus. These patients do not experience symptoms, but silent damage to the body results in chronic liver disease or cirrhosis. These will affect 60 to 70 percent of those chronically infected.
Survival outside the body
-
In a study conducted by the CDC, Dr. Kris Krawczynski, concluded that hepatitis C remained viable up to 4 days. The study began with blood plasma samples infected with hepatitis C that were dried. Samples dried overnight formed one group, and the others were from dried samples stored for 4 days and 7 days in a climate-controlled cabinet. Chimpanzee groups received injections of the samples and monitored for development of hepatitis C virus antigen, signaling HCV infection in the chimpanzees. Only those who received samples dried overnight for 16 hours and dried overnight and stored for 4 days developed hepatitis C. These findings led to the conclusions of the CDC's study.
At room temperature, the lifespan of hepatitis outside the body C ranges from 16 hours to 4 days. Dried blood is infectious during this period. Proper cleaning is critical to preventing spreading of the disease.
-
Cleaning up fluids on surfaces infected with hepatitis C
-
Put gloves on before cleaning any surface contaminated with hepatitis C. A solution of 1 part bleach to 10 parts of water kills the virus on the surface. Dried and wet blood can transmit hepatitis C virus. A thorough disinfecting of spills and cleaning of any object coming into contact with blood can halt the spread of the virus.
-
