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Can Hepatitis-B Be Contracted Through Exposure Of The Eyes To Contaminated Water?

Posted on Tue, 4 Apr 2017

Question: Hi, I was at a hospital for a birthing class (I'm 31 weeks pregnant) and after I finished using a toilet, a splash of water went into my right eye. There was only urine in the toilet, no feces. Is there a possibility of contracting Hepatitis or anything from this situation? I didn't flush my eye out because my husband said there was nothing to worry about because my eye didn't look red and there was only a little irritation (probably from blinking rapidly).

Answered by Dr. Ramadevi Wani (52 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Spread of hepatitis through urine is not likely.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome to Healthcare magic.
I am Dr Ramadevi Wani. i will be answering your concerns.

Do you mean there was somebody else's urine which was not flushed?

The concentration of Hepatitis B virus in urine is either low or undetectable. So spread of hepatitis through urine is not likely.

I hope this is helpful.
If you have further concerns, I will be happy to answer.
Best wishes,
Dr Rama

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Ramadevi Wani (5 minutes later)

It was just my own urine. I had finished using the toilet and I turned around and that's when the water sprayed as the toilet was flushing.

Answered by Dr. Ramadevi Wani (41 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
There is no need to worry.

Detailed Answer:
Hi
If this is the scenario, then there is no need to worry
There is no risk of hepatitis.

Best wishes,
Dr Rama.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Ramadevi Wani (22 hours later)

What about for Hepatitis A or C? There was no blood in the water, so I'm not necessarily worried about C, but my key concern is A.

Answered by Dr. Ramadevi Wani (12 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Details below.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome back.

Hepatitis A virus spreads mainly through consumption of contaminated water and food. Rarely it spreads through sexual act. In your scenario there is no risk of contracting hepatitis A or C.

I hope this is helpful.

If you have further concerns, I will be happy to answer.

Best wishes,
Dr Rama

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. Ramadevi Wani (3 hours later)

So even if the toilet had Hepatitis A water, I would still be fine?

Answered by Dr. Ramadevi Wani (37 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Details below.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Hepatitis A Occurs when contaminated food or drink is taken by mouth.
The food and drink can be contaminated through contaminated hands. So washing hands is extremely important.
Nowhere in literature there is a mention of it spreading through eye mucosa. Neither I have seen such a case. Probably the contaminated water entering the eye is not a sufficient trigger.

So relax. Don't worry so much.

Best wishes,
Dr Rama

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad