Research Help Request: I'm researching Carpet Installers contracting Hep C on the Job

[Wiley50]

I was a carpet installer for 25 years. We worked with very sharp double edged razor knives
and we worked very fast. Due to this, we suffered accidental cuts to the hands several times a week, often every day.
Most of these cuts did not require medical attention. But we constantly had open cuts on our hands.

Several times a year, someone on the job would cut themselves seriously enough to require medical attention.
On these occasions, the victim would take off to the emergency room. Because we worked sub-contract to the carpet store,
the others would have to clean up the spilt blood on the carpet, preferably before the customer saw it. Because
if we didn't, we would not only not be paid for the job, we would be charged for the carpet itself. I came into contact with countless other peoples blood, many who I did not know well, over the years. Most every time with bare hands and open cuts.

As I have never had a blood transfusion or used IV drugs, it is the only logical way I was infected.

Finding documentation of other cases has become, suddenly vital to my wellbeing. Due to spinal injury I suffered in the course of my career, I am a pain management patient on serious opioid narcotics and am having to find a new doctor right now.

The DEA puts intense pressure on the prescribing licenses of pain doctors. Because of this, pain doctors are very very reluctant to accept new pain patients who have certain "Red Flags" indicating that they might be a prescription drug abuser. Having Hepatitis C is a Huge "Red Flag"

I've googled and googled, but to no avail. The problem is when using the search terms "HepC" and "Carpet Installer" together
returns hundreds of hits where an article on Hep C also contains ads for carpet and carpet installation or terms like "called on the carpet" or is an article about occupational hazards that contain both medical personnel infected with needle sticks and carpet installers contacting formaldehyde from the carpet itself.

I know there are many others here who are much better researchers than myself. If you can spare a bit of time to help me, I would be very, very grateful.

[MrCoffee]

1. search for Hepatitis C and "occupational exposure"

use the results to narrow your search to something that might help you.

[Wiley50]

3. Thanks! I'll try it. Wish me luck. n/t

[MrCoffee]

6. basic google search came up with these

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=hepatitis+and+occupational+exposure


i looked at a couple...seems to be some decent info.

[Wiley50]

7. Thanks but nothing so far

Nearest I've come is hospital workers contracting it from spot cleaning contaminated carpet in hospitals

I even added "and carpet installation" to your search criteria

I think the biggest problem is most carpet layers don't have medical coverage,
don't have a lot of education and many either have been IV drug abusers or had transfusions

I've read so many govt occupational hazard papers that I have a blinding headache.

Maybe something will turn up

[gateley]

4. Great suggestion! Also, how about some Hep C organizations? Might they

be of help?

[gateley]

2. I can't help with the research - but I wish you the best of luck. I have HepC

and I recently needed lots of pain meds before back surgery. My doctor was great about it -- I can't imagine having gone through that period without pain medication. I hope you find someone who can see beyond the fear hype. :hug:

[Richard Steele]

5. I have no useful info, so I'll just K&R this to help it get more views. nm