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Letter: Doctor adds to virus education

Sunday, July 16, 2000 | 10:39 a.m.

Infection with HCV by manicure is rare; paper cuts and emery boards are speculative modes of transmission. There is no credible evidence that HCV can "live" outside the body for a month under normal conditions. I am reminded of hypothetical arguments that one could contract HIV from a toilet seat if someone bled all over it, and then another person immediately pressed an open knife wound against it ... Chemical disinfectants can be effective with devices like manicurists' equipment if used properly.

I do agree that people at risk should be tested, especially those who have: ever injected illegal drugs, received a transfusion or an organ transplant before July 1992; been born to an HCV-infected mother, or been a sexual partner (but not other household contact) of a person with HCV.

While researchers continue to work toward an effective vaccine and more tolerable treatment, Americans need to become more aware of HCV. It sounds like the community education program in your area is a great idea.

STUART C. RAY, M.D.

Division of Infectious Diseases, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Baltimore, Md.

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