quote:

Hep A is transmitted via oral contact with contaminated feces/sewage.
Hep B is transmitted via sharing of bodily fluids.
Hep C is transmitted by blood-to-blood contact only.

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ORIGINAL: Owned1

I personally would be worried, I suggest you contact your MD and explain what has happened.  I would also ask him the risks considering your health status to being in a public/private hot tub that is shared by others that you may not know as well as you could.

Personally I never use hot tubs unless it is my own at home and I am in control of the occupants and chemicals. 

Owned

quote:

But frankly, I am more concerned with this woman's personal medical information being leaked throughout the community. I find it deplorable that someone would divulge such personal information. If the woman in question had wanted you to know her status, I'm quite sure she would've shared the info with you.

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ORIGINAL: MistressNoName    

Ordinarily, I would agree w/ a right to privacy.  However, if there is someone out there knowingly putting people at risk, then that person has lost their right to privacy, in my strong opinion.   I just learned of someone in my community who has Hep C, but is not telling anyone and still engaging in blood and needle play with a wide variety of people.  I am very alarmed as I have several chronic illnesses, and if I were to be exposed to Hepatitis, I would not survive.   I do not want to spread rumors, however I doubt that the individual in question is likely to give me an honest answer should I ask them directly.  I fully believe the person who told me.  This is a quandry....any suggestions?

  

(in reply to MistressNoName)

quote:

ORIGINAL: sandylioness

quote:

But frankly, I am more concerned with this woman's personal medical information being leaked throughout the community. I find it deplorable that someone would divulge such personal information. If the woman in question had wanted you to know her status, I'm quite sure she would've shared the info with you.

quote:

ORIGINAL: MistressNoName

Ordinarily, I would agree w/ a right to privacy. However, if there is someone out there knowingly putting people at risk, then that person has lost their right to privacy, in my strong opinion. I just learned of someone in my community who has Hep C, but is not telling anyone and still engaging in blood and needle play with a wide variety of people. I am very alarmed as I have several chronic illnesses, and if I were to be exposed to Hepatitis, I would not survive. I do not want to spread rumors, however I doubt that the individual in question is likely to give me an honest answer should I ask them directly. I fully believe the person who told me. This is a quandry....any suggestions?

Yes, I do have some suggestions...1) Observe universal precautions during play to protect yourself and your partners, 2) maintain "fluid-bound" relationships, 3) know who you are playing with by asking direct questions, 4) practice good scene negotiating skills 5) respect the privacy of others.

Now, I think it's pretty safe to say that there are some people within our community who may be carrying any assortment of potentially communicable diseases. If this person does in fact have Hep C, (and this is still unconfirmed) what makes you believe that this person has not discussed this with her/his play partners and that they are not fully aware of the risks before they engaged in play with this individual? It sounds like you do not know this for sure because you have not had a direct conversation with the individual to find out. So, here is another suggestion, if this issue concerns you, consider trying to educate people in your local community by offering a universal precautions workshop which focuses on the importance of self-protection and the reasons for this (ie, the fact that some ppl may not fully disclose their health status to everyone they play with).

And another suggestion, talk to this individual about your concerns. He/she may not be receptive at first, but an attempt made out of genuine concern is often better-received than finding out about rumors being spread like wildfire. And, bottomline, if all else fails, there is always your local dept of health where you can anonymously report any concerns over the spread of disease in your community.

Be well, play safe,

MNN

< Message edited by MistressNoName -- 4/20/2007 9:20:37 AM >

(in reply to sandylioness)

quote:

I'm so very offended I've not spoken to her yet as I need to get a firm grip on my indignance and anger before I approach her.
I have no idea as to what even to say to her.
Again thanks for calming my fears & I'll let you know what my Doc says Monday,
suzanne