HomeMethodsStatementsThe
Liver
Hepatitis
C &
The Risk of a Haircut
Letter to the editor from the Annals of Internal Medicine, Vol. 126:5, 1 March 1997, pg. 410-411.
To the editor: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has a prevalence of 1.8% in the United States. The mode of acquisition of HCV is unclear in nearly 40% of patients with chronic HCV infection. Various social practices are currently under scrutiny, including sharing razors, snorting cocaine through the same straw another person has used, and sexual practices.
We questioned whether a haircut, that includes a trim of the sideburns and back of the neck using a straight razor, might lacerate the skin and thereby spread hepatitis C. We obtained the fluid used in five different male hairdresser salons, to "sterilize" the cutthroat blade after its use to trim the neck hairs and sideburns. The five fluids were negative for HCV RNA by Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR). The fluids were then deliberately "spiked" with 0.1 ml of 1:10 diluted serum that contained HCV. The serum had been obtained from a patient who had chronic HCV as determined by a positive result on PCR testing for HCV RNA. This qualitative test was considered to be more sensitive (it detects >100 viral equivalents/ml) than the HCV brached-DNA quantitative assay (which detects >200,000 viral equivalents /ml). By use of RT-PCR, HCV RNA was detected at 6 and 24 hours and at 7 days.
The antiseptic fluids used to clean the razor did not destroy the viral RNA. We wonder whether the routine male haircut may be a risk factor for HCV infection.
Norman Gitlin, MD; Frederick S Nolte, MD; Michael Weiss, MD
Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta GA 30322
HCV and BEAUTY
Back in 1995, three MD's (Gitlin, Nolte, and Weiss) associated with Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta decided to do a little experiment in their spare time. They took the liquid that barbers use to "sterilize" their equipment, and spiked it with a patient's blood, which had been declared HCV positive by PCR. They tested the liquid after 3 hours, and again after 6 hours. Not pleased, they tested again a week later. Those little critters were still alive and kicking after their week-long swim. (No one asked them about their sex drive, however.)
This study brings to mind a number of questions: How safe is a shave at the local barber? How are manicure tools dealt with when the cuticles bleed, or a client is cut? What about tattoo and body piercing salons? Do beauticians have autoclaves, like the dentists? We must become aware of these issues, in order to make policy changes possible. Here in Victoria, most tattoo salons use new needles for each client, and many display certificates of approval by various agencies. Reputable piercing salons often use the earring to do the piercing, rather that using needles. I called a couple of tattoo salons listed in the phone book. Both numbers were no longer in service. I saw a couple of ads that stated the business in question was certified by some association, but when I looked up the association in the phone book, I couldn't find any listing. I did talk to one business. The man on the phone was very pleasant, and said that their business is certified by the Center for Disease Control, as well as the Canadian Association of Professional Tattooists (CAPT). He stated that they manufacture their own needles, and that they put them through several steps, including an autoclave and 2 hours of ultrasound. He says they never reuse needles. The moral of this story: Please check out these salons completely. Don't be afraid to ask. The reputable businesses are proud to show clients their sterilization techniques.
January 14, 2005
Professor warns that pilgrimage is
health risk
MUSLIMS taking part in the pilgrimage to Mecca face
serious health risks, a city doctor warned today.
Hajj - the journey to the Sacred Mosque in Mecca - is supposed to be
undertaken by all adult Muslims who are physically and financially able
at least once in their lifetime.
But writing in this week's British Medical Journal, Edinburgh University
professor Aziz Sheikh warned pilgrims risk heat exhaustion and
infectious diseases unless they take precautions.
Even when Hajj is undertaken during winter, the average temperature in
the Saudi Arabian city of Mecca is more than 30C during the day and 20C
at night.
One study has suggested more than 1700 fatalities were recorded in a
single Hajj season.
Professor Sheikh said: "Heat exhaustion and heatstroke are common and
can be fatal. Outbreaks of meningococcal meningitis occurred among
British pilgrims in 1987, 2000, and 2001, and the Saudi authorities now
insist that all pilgrims must be vaccinated."
He said that pilgrims also need to be aware of the risks of blood-borne
infections such as HIV and hepatitis B
and C, especially as one of the rites of Hajj is for men to have their
head shaved.
Each year, more than 20,000 Britons take part in Hajj.
http://news.scotsman.com/health.cfm?id=49532005
Revised: February 05, 2005 .All information is posted without profit or payment for research and is for educational purposes only, in accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. section 107.