Can Hepatitis C Be Transmitted Through Contaminated Gloves in Eye Exams?

Hepatitis C transmission issues?

Recently, I visited an ophthalmology clinic and noticed that the ophthalmologist was wearing latex gloves but did not change them after seeing the previous patient.
Instead, they opted for "gloved hand washing." I observed that the gloves appeared to have some dark dirt on them, and I was unsure how long they had been worn.
However, I confirmed that at least five patients were seen without changing gloves, and the doctor was washing their gloved hands (it seemed like they had soap on them) because I could smell soap on the gloves.
Later, I thought this was concerning; aren't latex gloves supposed to be single-use and discarded after each patient? The gloves had many folds, making it impossible to clean them thoroughly.
Additionally, if the doctor had just touched a bleeding wound or a needle puncture, blood could have splattered onto the gloves.
The contamination from blood theoretically requires high-temperature and high-pressure sterilization to be completely eradicated.
Simply wearing gloves and washing them with soap—does that effectively eliminate the Hepatitis C virus? If it does, then dental instruments could also just be rinsed with water and soap, and there would be no need for high-temperature and high-pressure sterilization.
I would like to ask if, after the ophthalmologist has squeezed a needle puncture and the gloves are contaminated with blood, and they do not change the gloves but instead wash them, is there a possibility of transmitting the Hepatitis C virus when they touch my upper eyelid and come into contact with my conjunctiva?

Guang Kai, 40~49 year old female. Ask Date: 2020/11/24

Dr. Hong Yuanbin reply Internal Medicine

Hello, hepatitis C is primarily transmitted through needle sharing, such as with injection drug use, or through blood transfusions.
The contact mode you described is not a method of transmission for hepatitis C, so it is unlikely to result in infection.
Thank you for your question.

Reply Date: 2020/11/24

More Info

The concern regarding the transmission of Hepatitis C (HCV) through contaminated gloves during eye examinations is valid and requires careful consideration of the mechanisms of transmission and the protocols for infection control in medical settings.

Hepatitis C is primarily transmitted through blood-to-blood contact. This means that the virus is most commonly spread through sharing needles, receiving contaminated blood products, or through direct exposure to infected blood. The risk of transmission through other bodily fluids, such as saliva or tears, is significantly lower. In the context of your question, the primary concern would be whether the gloves worn by the ophthalmologist could potentially harbor infectious blood and subsequently transmit the virus.

In a clinical setting, it is standard practice for healthcare providers to change gloves between patients to prevent cross-contamination. If a healthcare provider does not change gloves after treating a patient, especially if there is a risk of exposure to blood, there is a potential risk of transmitting infections, including Hepatitis C. The presence of visible dirt or blood on gloves further increases this risk, as it indicates that the gloves may not be adequately protecting against contamination.

Regarding your specific scenario, if the ophthalmologist had blood on their gloves from a previous patient and then proceeded to examine you without changing gloves, there is a theoretical risk of transmission if the gloves came into contact with your mucous membranes, such as the conjunctiva of your eye. However, it is important to note that the actual risk of contracting Hepatitis C in this manner is considered to be very low. The virus does not survive well outside the human body, and the amount of virus that would need to be present on the gloves to cause infection is typically much higher than what would likely be transferred through casual contact.

As for the effectiveness of simply washing gloves with soap and water, this method is not sufficient to eliminate all pathogens, especially viruses like Hepatitis C. Gloves are designed for single use, and while washing them may remove some contaminants, it does not guarantee the complete removal of all infectious agents. High-temperature sterilization is necessary for medical instruments and equipment that cannot be disposed of after a single use, but gloves should always be discarded after each patient interaction.

In summary, while there is a theoretical risk of Hepatitis C transmission through contaminated gloves, the actual risk in your described scenario is low, especially if there was no visible blood transfer to your eye. However, the failure to change gloves between patients is a breach of standard infection control practices and should be addressed with the healthcare facility to ensure patient safety. If you have ongoing concerns about potential exposure to Hepatitis C or any other infections, it would be prudent to consult with a healthcare professional for further evaluation and guidance.

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