Contraction through kissing/new study

Hello - My question is - Should I get tested? Because I do have (bleeds when I brush) gingivitis, and the person who kissed me has Hep C. The reason I ask is that I read about a study done in Sept. of 2003 by the Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents in Chicago. They took 12 people with Hepatitis C and checked their saliva for 21 consecutive days. Of the 248 samples taken, 52 (1 in 5) tested positive for the virus. Traces were found in 7 of the 12 volunteers. Should I be alarmed? Is it like AIDS where the amount of the virus in the saliva is too small to infect someone?   He says his teeth don't bleed when he brushes, but he did kiss me twice very fully before telling me about his Hep C. I am a single Mom and I need to know for my son's sake. Thanks in advance! - Question4

[cuteus]

Risk of infection is almost nonexistent in your case.  You would have to have an open mouth wound and be in touch with his blood to even consider it a risk. very slim chance if there was no blood to blood contact.

Gl
Ive

[Question04]

Your comment was helpful. Thank you for so quickly posting your info. I appreciate you! Thanks from Question04

[willing]

Hi - that study has been discussed extensively on this forum. For some reason it received lots of alarmist, and rather irresponsible, media coverage. Here's the actual conference <a href="http://www.asm.org/Media/index.asp?bid=20887">abstract</a>. Note that her study concludes with:
<em>This study suggests that the saliva of individuals infected with hepatitis C may be infectious. Microscopic amounts of blood in the saliva due to gum disease may be responsible. Hepatitis C infected individuals should not share toothbrushes with other household members. These data are too preliminary to support other behavior changes because of potential salivary transmission.</em>

Detection of HCV RNA in saliva of infected individuals is not news : here's a <a href="http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=MiamiCaptionURL&_method=retrieve&_udi=B6T96-44J3V1Y-1&_image=tbl1&_ba=3&_coverDate=03%2F31%2F2002&_alid=146380706&_rdoc=1&_fmt=full&_orig=search&_cdi=5106&_qd=1&view=c&_acct=C000000152&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=4421&md5=a70219b2873af45ce6645ed71ce970ba">summary</a> of relevant studies from a recent <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11849681&dopt=Abstract">review</a>. HCV RNA has also been detected in tears, sweat, semen and vaginal secretions of infected individuals.

As you point out, the main question is whether the trace amounts of virus dectectable in body fluids are sufficient to spread the virus. There is no conclusive answer, but the most recent available data suggests that this route of transmission, if it occurs, occus rarely. For the US, the largest such study is the <a href="http://www.hivandhepatitis.com/2003icr/03_assld/docs/1029/102903_n.html">HCV Partners Study</a>. The bottom line of that study is that among long-term, monogamous, couples (>3 years) the upper bound on transmission (including kissing, intercourse, household contact, etc.) is around 2%.

[honey1616]

Yes it is very very rare for 2 people in same household to have hep c.  I think its like less then 2%.  Unfortunatately, in my case..both my husband and I have it.  We can track his back to surgery he had in early 80's and had transfusion.  We have been married all of these years and yes I often grabbed his razor because it was a new one and then my daughters did same also and none of them have it.  So who knows...I had even thought it could be from bleeding gums which we both have had at periods in our life.  He is also a contractor and I can't count the times he has major cuts and bleeding from a tool and of course I'm running and grabbing a towel and cleaning it up so even thinking at one time maybe I had a cut and it entered like that.  I just really don't know.

[Luke307]

I believe I read some where that that study didn't take into account other factors like , some were probably drug users who shared needles with one another.

[Indiana]

I would wait for a couple of months(3) and then get tested. While I don't believe that you have caught it from this lip-lockin experience, I do think that everybody should be tested anyways. Look at most of us here. How did we find out we had this? Most of us found out quite by accident, usually while getting tested for something else. There are millions in the world that have been diagnosed with HCV, But there are many more millions that have it and don't even know it. I think testing should be routine in the schools and many job settings too. It's just a good idea.
So, I would get myself tested for Hep B & C. And while you're there, I would also get the vaccinations for A & B too. Those are MUCH more contagious than C is and since there is a way to protect yourself....why not?
Oh sure, the current thinking is that it isn't necessary if you don't have "risk factors". RIGHT....  Like we don't ALL have a risk factor? Your story is a PERFECT example if just ONE overlooked risk factor. Doesn't anybody kiss? Here you are, playin tonsil hockey with a "real nice person" and then you hear..."Oh yeah, I think you should know that I have a communicable disease darlin".!!!  EGADS! Even many of the people who know they have these diseases are irresponsible boneheads! We can't just go blindly through life and expect not to have to protect ourselves from all we can.
I think that many of the public Boards Of Health will test for free or a small donation. They will also give you the vaccinations for the same type of deal too here in the USA. I had ALL my kids and extended family tested and vaccinated that way.
It will take a BIG load off your mind.................

Then go give that guy a Pepsi with some VERY hot sauce in it and say..."Oh, I should have told you sweetie that there is something VERY nasty in that stuff you just put in your mouth"!!!!!!

[kennedge]

indiana-

tonsil hockey????

dude you come up with the most experssive definitions...can't wait till i get home...i got a stick that is just demanding to whack the puck a bit

willing-

you still amaze me with your profound ability to share yur research

i checked in on 2/3 post about 6 days late...yea so what

[willing]

hey Ken, Pismo beach, plus the great weather we've been having this week sounds like a nice combo. I bet you're out there every afternoon with a wet suit and board wax. It's good to hear you've been too busy to spend a lot of time around here - that's about as good a definition of "cured" as I can think of.

[Question04]

Thank you so very much to you all for the information! I am really touched and grateful that you all answered. I am going today to ask to be tested. Again, THANK YOU for caring enough to comment (and for leading me to resources.) I appreciate you greatly! - Question04