A 49-year-old member asked:
Can the hepatitis b or c virus survive outside of the bloodstream?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
Dr. Camilla Grahamanswered
Internal Medicine - Infectious Disease 29 years experience
Unfortunately, yes: Both hepatitis b and c can survive for days, and perhaps even over a week, outside the body. This is why ever sharing any paraphernalia, including cookers, for drug use could lead to infection.
Getting "stuck" with a needle, or reusing needles for injections like testosterone or vitamins, can also lead to hepatitis b or c injection.
Always be careful at tattoo parlors, piercing places, etc.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Last updated Mar 13, 2015
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