[Question #10379] Shared trimmer/razor at parlor
23 months ago
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Hello Doctor,
The following study showed that hepatitus can remain on barber's razors: Eroglu C, Zivalioglu M, Esen S, Sunbul M, Leblebicioglu H. Detection of Hepatitis B Virus in Used Razor Blades by PCR. Hepat Mon. 2010;10(1)
I've been anxious about my visit to the massage parlor yesterday.
My main worry is that I was given a trim and a shave to my pubic hair. This was done using a hair trim machine. She later switched to a razor.
The reason for my worry is that both the trimmer and the razor did not seem to be cleaned. The machine in particular is used for all patients. Razor may also be multi-used. This seems to be a rather shady parlor and I regret going there. She told me I was the 3rd customer that day. They have several customers each day and they seem to be using the same razor.
1. How likely is it that hepatitis B or hepatitis C be transmitted through the machine/razor assuming it's an infected razor.
I've also read anecdotes from doctors who say their patients got hepatitis from sharing razor with a family member.
A National Institute of Health (US Department of health and Human service) booklet on hepatitis C lists sharing razors as a medium of spread.
How likely is it that this encounter gave me hepatitis B or C? Do I need to be tested(not easy in my country). I dont want to spread this to my girlfriend so please let me know if I should act now.
3. What other STI do I need to be worried about for this encounter?
I'm assuming HIV is not a worry but what about Molluscum contagiosum? Herpes? HPV? or any others?
23 months ago
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Dr. Hook and Dr. Handsfield, since you have both answered several similar questions, I'd be glad if either of you could pick this one up. If possible, of course. Your answers were very informative, although I could not find the exact razor related question I ask here. Thank you again in advance.
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
23 months ago
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Welcome to the Forum and thanks for your questions, as well as you confidence in our service. Thanks as well for reading or responses to similar questions. Having done so, I'm confident you can anticipate that we see the events you describe as not risky at all. I'll be glad to comment.
I presume that the trimmer and razor that you describe were electric devices. If so, this was a no risk event bit even if they were not I would not be worried. The instances in which hepatitis have been transmitted through shared razors involve not electric trimmers but the sharp steel razor and occurred in instances in which razor cuts have occurred. The extension of the advice to warning about HIV, which is actually less infectious than HIV, is theoretical and I am not aware of cases in which a multi-use razor has been proven to transmit HIV. The CDC and HIV, as Federal agencies, take a very conservative stance in their advice, reasoning that they cannot "afford" to ever be incorrect. Further just to amplify on the previous point, statistically the likelihood that the razor and trimmer that were used on you were previously used on a person with active, untreated hepatitis or HIV is extraordinarily low. Despite the anecdotes which are on the internet, I am confident that you are not at risk for either hepatitis or HIV and have never heard of a proven instance in which this was the case. Thus, in response to your specific questions:
---1 and 2 (essentially the same question). Virtually zero. The study you point out is a contrived, laboratory based study which used PCR, which detected non-viable and non-infectious viral DNA on razors inoculated with virus. I have no concern that you were infected and your GF is not at risk
3. I am not aware of molluscum or any other STI being transmitted through the sort of exposure you describe. I would not worry and see no reason for testing of any sort.
I hope this information and perspective as helpful, EWH