Ask Andrea: Does Hepatitis C transmit in the pool?
- Andrea Salzman
- Feb 19, 2024
- 2 min read
Updated: Mar 20
Byline: Andrea Salzman, MS, PT
Question: We have a patient that may benefit from aquatic therapy - however, the patient is positive for Hepatitis C - would this be a concern for aquatic therapy?
Answer: Hepatitis C (and B) is spread primarily by blood-to-blood contact, like occurs with transfusions, needle sticks, and IV drug use. The CDC is not aware of any instances in which a person has become infected with these germs after being exposed to a blood spill in a pool (see their statement below). Hep B and C are not fecal borne, like Hepatitis A.
Even if an infected patient had a cut or other method of blood spill, properly treated pool water will kill the pathogens almost immediately. The way that I read it, the CDC feels that blood spills are not even a reason for the pool to shut down, the likelihood of any blood borne pathogen to transmit is so infinitesimal. That said, you should always follow your facility infection control policies and any existing guidelines from your local or state regulatory agencies if they conflict with this information!
Here is an excerpt from the CDC's policy:
Responding to blood in the pool
Chlorine kills germs found in blood (such as hepatitis B and HIV). CDC is not aware of any instances in which a person has become infected with bloodborne germs after being exposed to a blood spill in a pool. While there is no public health reason to recommend closing the pool after a blood spill, some aquatic staff choose to do so temporarily.
Newest Reference:
Roudot-Thoraval, F. (2021). Epidemiology of hepatitis C virus infection. Clinics and research in hepatology and gastroenterology, 45(3), 101596.
