That's the million dollar question and nobody knows, nobody.
That is why all the medical community is anxious to see the SVR data start to come in on all these new drugs. They cannot predict who and why some may relapse.

Actually, i just posted an article with some of the reasons: http://www.dailystrength.org/c/Hepatitis_C/forum/18752277-sovaldi-combats-obstacles-tx

Also, it is now believed that some pts who were thought to have relapsed actually reinfected themselves by using a razor with dried blood on it, or a toothbrush.

Doctors are not advising people to throw away all personal items once you reach UD status. There is a good possibility that people are coming in contact with their own old contaminated blood.

Throw away your razors, toothbrushes, dental picks, nail clippers, anything that could possibility have contaminated blood on it. We are well practiced at protecting others from it. Now protect yourself!

One speculation is that some get re-infected which is why I am getting rid of things like toothbrushes several times during treatment.

It is an interesting question, this reinfecting ourselves. I don't really believe it is possible to do so. It is never part of the treatment protocol given by our Dr.s
Here is an interesting comment:
Depending upon what form (genotype) of the hepatitis C virus you are infected with, treatment can cure your illness. However, it is possible to be reinfected with another genotype of hepatitis C virus.
from: http://www.liver.ca/liver-disease/types/viral_hepatitis/Hepatitis_C.aspx
and another comment:

lynda607 Blank
Oct 09, 2011
You can't reinfect yourself while you are treating. I repeat, you can't reinfect yourself while you are treating and you can't reinfect yourself with your own HCV RNA. The body develops an immunity to that particular strain. No prescribing guidelines for any antiviral therapy medications state once the patient becomes UND the toothbrush must be replaced because of possible reinfection and this includes Incivek and Victrelis. Interferon and ribavirin have been around a long time and I'm sure at some point it was considered but it simply isn't true. Besides, no one knows the exact day and minute they become UND anyway so if one believes they can reinfect themselves they should be throwing their toothbrush away after evey use until the first PCR shows UND.
from:
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Hepatitis-C/Are-We-Reinfecting-Ourselves/show/1608190

"Once you've been infected with a particular strain of a virus, you develop antibodies that make the likelihood of re-infection very low. Even if the virus were still hanging out on your toothbrush after you recoveredcolds and flus can survive there in an infective state for anywhere from a few hours to three daysthose antibodies should keep you from contracting the same illness twice."
http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/explainer/2011/02/can_your_toothbrush_make_you_sick.html

It is very low...however, I read that a very very small percent of us will never be able to clear the virus. Something to do with how the virus attacks and mutates in the antibodies.... I was told that if it's so easy to reinfect with a toothbrush or tweezers, then what good would it be to spend time and money on a cure for HCV?

I'd agree chances are low,

BUT... it is only VERY RECENTLY that it was discovered that the virus lives in blood ON SURFACES for what? six weeks?

So, prior information on the possibility of self-reinfection may be outdated given this new information. And, with all due respect, Kramer, someone (Linda 607) posting to a forum is hardly a reputable source of information. Someone here - OoO ? was told in her 'class' for Soivaldi about this possibility.

IMO, it's easy and inexpensive enough to replace razors and toothbrushes to protect against any possibility, than debate it. Better safe than sorry.

Agreed Linda is just a chat room poster but her argument seems reasonable and the comments at liver.ca are:
"However, it is possible to be reinfected with another genotype of hepatitis C virus."
Our toothbrushes and razors could only have the "same genotype" .
As always it's best to ask your Dr. If you require reassurance.
I have never been given this advice on treatment protocol. Best to do what you are comfortable with. :)

But your treatments were in the PAST, before the discovery of the virus staying alive on surfaces as long as they now know it does. Likewise what is posted on a website - even a reliable one - may not be up-to-date.

I changed mine, that's all I'm saying!

No I am on treatment right now! lol No mention of changing toothbrushes or razors during or after. Yes we can be reinfected with different genotypes but not reinfected with the specific virus we already have. That's my understanding and I'm sticking to it! :)
Okay gonna move on ...

Oh, right. of course! I knew that! :-) No one told me at my doc's office either. And I'm still ditched mine and I'm stickin' to that. :-)

Love ya' Kramer!

Thanks y'all.

Kramer, you and I started Sovaldi/Olysio at the same time. I was told when I did the class (over the phone) to change toothbrushes and razors once a week while on treatments. I'm also making sure that bedding and anything else that might have minute amounts of blood are washed with bleach at least once a week. All easy to do. Toothbrushes come cheap at the dollar stores, and I use soft ones that don't cause my gums to bleed.

Okay I said I was going to leave off but this is a very good question and aside from anecdotal, "I heard and she said", there is no definitive answer from any medical organization on the possibility of reinfection with toothbrushes or razors while on treatment.
I just got off the phone with the public education director at the Canadian Liver Foundation and after long conversation she told me she had been researching before she returned my call and could find nothing of medical evidence either.
She asked me to leave it with her and she would try to find out from someone at their next meeting.
I mean it's really odd that all the research and information that is out there from medical sites, nothing on this issue is to be found, only in chat rooms.
I will post again when I hear back and will also ask my Dr.
All this being said, for the price of a toothbrush or disposable razor, go ahead and change them if it makes you feel better. Perhaps let everyone know with what frequency you have decided to do so. Every time you brush or shave? Daily? Weekly? Monthly? First viral load test? End of treatment? How did you decide?
Good luck!

BTW Marilyn I hope your treatment is going well. A piece of cake compared to my last attempt with Interferon.