Sharing A Toothbrush Scared To Get Tested

Here's a taste of what TheBody.com has to offer on this topic:

Ask the Experts

Toothbrush sharing with a Hep B person

my 2 yr old took my relative's toothbrush and put it in his mouth while I wasn't looking. My cousin has Hep B. What are the chances of my son being infected? I am scared to death. thanks...

Response from Barbara McGovern, M.D.

Tufts University School of Medicine

People should not share toothbrushes on a regular basis with a person with chronic hepatitis B due to concerns that a little bit of blood on a toothbrush could transmit infection to the other person (if he/she had bad bleeding gums). The chance of... Read more »

!!!sharing toothbrushes or shavers!!

My sister is going to be tested for HIV and she has used other family members toothbrushes and... Read more »

Response from Ryan M. Kull, C.S.W »

Toothbrush accidentally shared

Dear Dr. Barbara,Three months ago, I accidentally used my sister-in-law's toothbrush. She... Read more »

Response from Barbara McGovern, M.D. »

Go to Ask the Experts »

Articles

U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Australia: Patients to Be Tested After Hospital HIV Scare

Officials at Bundaberg Hospital in southern Queensland are recommending blood tests for 274 people treated between Nov. 6 and 13 at the facility's dental clinic. Authorities discovered that one batch of dental instruments cleaned on Nov. 6 was not... Read more »

Canada: Syringe-Scare Tests Come Back Positive; HIV, Hepatitis Found in Patients, But Not Linked to Problem Procedure

Health officials say there is no evidence that a small number of former patients who tested positive for hepatitis B, hepatitis C or HIV contracted the infections from syringes improperly reused by health workers at High Prairie Health Complex. The... Read more »

Put an End to Your Fears, Stop Googling, and Go Get Tested

Occasionally, we here at TheBody.com are lucky enough to hear from readers who volunteer to craft their own articles sharing their stories and thoughts. This is one of those articles. Typing "HIV" into Google for the first time was a... Read more »

Egypt: Needle Sharing by Drug Users a Dangerous Sign

Dr. Ehab El Kharrat, who has treated Cairo drug users for 16 years, did not know that many of his clients were sharing needles until he recently began discussing HIV awareness with them. Syringes and needles are cheap and available without a... Read more »

Connect With Others

Sharing toothbrushes

Posted by StupidMe, 1 Reply

Hi all,
I keep reading inconsistent information regarding the risks associated with sharing toothbrushes. So I was wandering what the real risk is. Is it zero, theoretical, negligible, low...etc?
I'm asking because I had a hiv risk 3 years ago. I... Read more »

Transmission by Toothbrush

Posted by Anonymous, 1 Reply

I just found out that a neighbor of mine is HIV+. My son recently stayed at their house overnight with their kids. He didn't have a toothbrush, and said he used one of theirs.

Is there any evidence of transmission this way. Would toothpaste kill... Read more »

I tested positive 2 days ago... im scared.

Posted by Unlucky2, 8 Replies

I just tested 2 days ago and i have a girlfriend that most likely is positive as well... i donyt know how to tell her... she will kill her self (she really would) i dont know what to do i dont know whats going to happen to me.... im so lost and... Read more »

Just took t test..... now extremely scared........

Posted by missing, 3 Replies

To be honest I never thought I will need to do this. I understand how HIV is transmitted so I avoid doing all of those risky act. I only have 1 stable partner for many years, never smoke let a lone doing drug with shared needle.

Nevertheless. I... Read more »

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