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Hep C through kissing
My boyfriend is and ex IV drug user and he never wanted to take any tests for hepatitis and other diseases and always told me he doesn't have anything and was always careful. I finally convinced him to take some tests that I payed for, after a 2year relationship. He is HCV positive and the rest of tests came back negative. During these two years I was careful, we never had sex without a condom, we never exchanged tooth brushes, razors or nail clippers. The one thing we did was kissing, open mouth tongue kissing. We sometimes kissed right after he brushed his teeth. I do have gum disease, I sometimes bleed after I brush my teeth, he doesnt. I read that it is possible that hep C virus is spread by kissing if gum disease is present. Am I at risk of contracting the virus this way? I would really appreciate feedback from people that are in long term relationships with partners HCV positive and who had kissing behaviours similar to the ones I described.
Best Answer
You're chance of being infected really are near zero. HCV is transmitted through blood to blood contact only. But if you are worried you can get an antibody test done to give yourself peace of mind. I had HCV for 37 years before I knew it. I was married for most of that time and have been in a relationship now for 5 years. During this time I have shared razors, had 4 kids, breast fed, yes shared toothbrushes (yikes when in a pinch), shared food and drinks, open mouthed kiss, and NO condoms. I urged all to get tested for my own peace of mind, those that did get tested are negative. BTW my Dr also said not to worry about using condoms under NORMAL sexual relations. Good luck and enjoy what appears to be a long term relationship.
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No one here can accurately assess your risk, only give you opinions as there are no stats on the transmission of hep c from deep kissing with bloody gums, hep c is spread from blood to blood contact.
IMO, maybe a very slight risk but doubtful, if your worried wait the proper amount of time and get tested.
How soon after exposure to HCV can anti-HCV be detected?
HCV infection can be detected by anti-HCV screening tests (enzyme immunoassay) 4–10 weeks after infection. Anti-HCV can be detected in >97% of persons by 6 months after exposure.
How soon after exposure to HCV can HCV RNA be detected by PCR?
HCV RNA appears in blood and can be detected as early as 2–3 weeks after infection.
http://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/HCV/HCVfaq.htm#c5.
Have a great day
Sup
IMO, maybe a very slight risk but doubtful, if your worried wait the proper amount of time and get tested.
How soon after exposure to HCV can anti-HCV be detected?
HCV infection can be detected by anti-HCV screening tests (enzyme immunoassay) 4–10 weeks after infection. Anti-HCV can be detected in >97% of persons by 6 months after exposure.
How soon after exposure to HCV can HCV RNA be detected by PCR?
HCV RNA appears in blood and can be detected as early as 2–3 weeks after infection.
http://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/HCV/HCVfaq.htm#c5.
Have a great day
Sup
That's exactly why it's good to have a variety of answers.
It gives the poster a chance to read through and take what works for them.
Some people like the stats while others prefer personal stories.
It gives the poster a chance to read through and take what works for them.
Some people like the stats while others prefer personal stories.
Since I am not a doctor then I feel its only fair that I just give what the experts say, and always with a link. If its just my opinion I try to let that be known
Sometimes I don't always agree with them though, heck sometimes I don't even agree with myself........:)
Sometimes I don't always agree with them though, heck sometimes I don't even agree with myself........:)
Anybody can google and find out information.We all get in into this mode of parroting everything our doctors and stuffed we googled.I do appreciate the info the google masters like Hector or Cando bring.But sometimes like for instance the OP is just looking for personal opinions through their personal experiences and IMO she was looking more for reinsurance than anything else.
Rather than post opinions, which can vary widely and are often wrong, I think its better to post a credible source for the information. I did the cut and paste to make it easier, then posted the link for further reading. Do you want facts or opinions?? Surprised to see a simple request for info turing into an attack on people taking the time to help.
Sometimes when I am not satisfied with links, I will read them through and find the answer and then reply to the question more personally. I suspect that is what you were trying to say, in a kinda pissed off way.
I have come to appreciate getting the info (cut &paste) or the links. It saves a of of search time.
Not everyone wants to to give a warm or personal response and they certainly are not obligated to, but it is good to appreciate their knowledge and expertise.imho :-)
I have come to appreciate getting the info (cut &paste) or the links. It saves a of of search time.
Not everyone wants to to give a warm or personal response and they certainly are not obligated to, but it is good to appreciate their knowledge and expertise.imho :-)
Just to add to the frenzy here.What type of test did your boyfriend take?Was it an RNA or an anti-hcv test?If it was an anti-hcv test,the positive result would mean he as HCV antibodies,this doesn't mean he as the virus.He would have take an RNA test to see if as the virus.
Best of luck to both of you
Dannyboi7
Best of luck to both of you
Dannyboi7
The one thing we did was kissing, open mouth tongue kissing. We sometimes kissed right after he brushed his teeth. I do have gum disease, I sometimes bleed after I brush my teeth, he doesnt.
He doesn't bleed. There was no blood to blood contact according to the op.
Her question was answered.
There are other numerous places on internet where they list kissing as one of the possible but not so probable way of contracting the disease (especially if blood is present somewhere in the mouth).
and she was reassured.
somepeople can't be reassured, so at times it is appropriate to tell someone to get tested just to give them peace of mind. It's a simple cheap test.
He doesn't bleed. There was no blood to blood contact according to the op.
Her question was answered.
There are other numerous places on internet where they list kissing as one of the possible but not so probable way of contracting the disease (especially if blood is present somewhere in the mouth).
and she was reassured.
somepeople can't be reassured, so at times it is appropriate to tell someone to get tested just to give them peace of mind. It's a simple cheap test.
If your worried you should get tested, then you will know for sure.
Have a great day
Have a great day
There are other numerous places on internet where they list kissing as one of the possible but not so probable way of contracting the disease (especially if blood is present somewhere in the mouth).
How is Hepatitis C spread?
Hepatitis C is usually spread when blood from a person infected with the Hepatitis C virus enters the body of someone who is not infected. Today, most people become infected with the Hepatitis C virus by sharing needles or other equipment to inject drugs. Before 1992, when widespread screening of the blood supply began in the United States, Hepatitis C was also commonly spread through blood transfusions and organ transplants.
People can become infected with the Hepatitis C virus during such activities as
•Sharing needles, syringes, or other equipment to inject drugs
•Needlestick injuries in health care settings
•Being born to a mother who has Hepatitis C
Less commonly, a person can also get Hepatitis C virus infection through
•Sharing personal care items that may have come in contact with another person’s blood, such as razors or toothbrushes
•Having sexual contact with a person infected with the Hepatitis C virus
What are ways Hepatitis C is not spread?
Hepatitis C virus is not spread by sharing eating utensils, breastfeeding, hugging, kissing, holding hands, coughing, or sneezing. It is also not spread through food or water.
http://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/c/cfaq.htm#cFAQ31
Hepatitis C is usually spread when blood from a person infected with the Hepatitis C virus enters the body of someone who is not infected. Today, most people become infected with the Hepatitis C virus by sharing needles or other equipment to inject drugs. Before 1992, when widespread screening of the blood supply began in the United States, Hepatitis C was also commonly spread through blood transfusions and organ transplants.
People can become infected with the Hepatitis C virus during such activities as
•Sharing needles, syringes, or other equipment to inject drugs
•Needlestick injuries in health care settings
•Being born to a mother who has Hepatitis C
Less commonly, a person can also get Hepatitis C virus infection through
•Sharing personal care items that may have come in contact with another person’s blood, such as razors or toothbrushes
•Having sexual contact with a person infected with the Hepatitis C virus
What are ways Hepatitis C is not spread?
Hepatitis C virus is not spread by sharing eating utensils, breastfeeding, hugging, kissing, holding hands, coughing, or sneezing. It is also not spread through food or water.
http://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/c/cfaq.htm#cFAQ31
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