Hepatitus C & Sex

[Irisflower2u]

I apologize in advance for my ignorance on this subject, but if anyone can help, iI would appreciate it very much.
I am in a best friends relationship with a wonderful man who has both Hepatitus B & C. The relationship is starting to turn into more than that, and would like to know more about contracting hep through sex. Since it is a very personal and touchy subject, I really hate to bring it up with him as to hurt him. Thanks so very much for your input.

[Irisflower2u]

Thanks Bill as always.

[Bill1954]

I don’t believe he’d have to report his illness. There are surgeons, nurses and others that are HCV positive, and continue to work. He might want to review his employment contract, but I’d be very surprised. He might have contracted this disease *from* work, in fact. Additionally, his employment should be protected by the Americans with Disability Act; they can’t dismiss him due to this either--

Bill

[Irisflower2u]

Ok another question that I have. Is it required to advise your employer that you have hep B & C?  He works in law enforcement. I would think so, for safety sake, but I don't know.

[nygirl7]

But I just like this particular listing of all the heps.

Actually I liked it too.........we always just think of the three never that there really are that many  of them out there!

[comeagain]

Just wanna point my finger at the seriousity if your hubby have hepB.
Then he must tell his partner that he has it says the law.
And my advise is don´t exange any bodyfluids as long as not vaccinated.

I can´t even come to the US if I have hepB thats how severe it is.
You got to ask if have the cronic variant or if he just as I have had it and now is immune.

Btw I am allowed to visit your country and I´m singel so if it shouldn´t work out with this guy give me a call!!

Just kidding.
Best to you both!!

ca

[Irisflower2u]

The info on the various types of Hep was great. Aways a big thank you to everyone. My next question was if there was a vaccination for Hep C, but Isobella just answered it!

Yes I was wondering about the 20 wives also...lol! But then again, whatever floats your boat! No really, I assumed it was a typo, but one never knows!  : )

[Summer333]

20 wives! LoL!!!!!!!!! Gotta love typos like that. ;0)

[Isobella]

I was wondering where you lived that you had 20 wifes, lol!

[thegypsy9164]

I'm sitting here lol. the typo in my earlier response stating that I've been through 20 wifes should read "2," not 20.

By the way, thanks Iris

[Isobella]

Yeah, I agree.  But I just like this particular listing of all the heps.

[newleaf09]

CDC is my least favorite site, though that's where I originally read about sexual transmission (see http://www.cdc.gov/Hepatitis/C/cFAQ.htm#transmission).  I find CDC incredibly vague about some things and outdated on some others (they don't seem to know about treatment of acute hep c, for one thing).  I like the Hepatology sites and Mayo better for the general stuff.  I don't think there is a perfect site for info and probably like digging through the janis site and the hcv/hiv advocacy sites the best.

[Isobella]

http://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/

Hepatitis A is an acute liver disease caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV), lasting from a few weeks to several months. It does not lead to chronic infection.
Transmission: Ingestion of fecal matter, even in microscopic amounts, from close person-to-person contact or ingestion of contaminated food or drinks.

Vaccination: Hepatitis A vaccination is recommended for all children starting at age 1 year, travelers to certain countries, and others at risk.

Information for:  Public  |  Health Professionals
Hepatitis B is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). It ranges in severity from a mild illness, lasting a few weeks (acute), to a serious long-term (chronic) illness that can lead to liver disease or liver cancer.
Transmission: Contact with infectious blood, semen, and other body fluids from having sex with an infected person, sharing contaminated needles to inject drugs, or from an infected mother to her newborn.

Vaccination: Hepatitis B vaccination is recommended for all infants, older children and adolescents who were not vaccinated previously, and adults at risk for HBV infection.

Information for:  Public  |  Health Professionals
Hepatitis C is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV). HCV infection sometimes results in an acute illness, but most often becomes a chronic condition that can lead to cirrhosis of the liver and liver cancer.
Transmission: Contact with the blood of an infected person, primarily through sharing contaminated needles to inject drugs.

Vaccination: There is no vaccine for hepatitis C.

Information for:  Public  |  Health Professionals
Hepatitis D is a serious liver disease caused by the hepatitis D virus (HDV) and relies on HBV to replicate. It is uncommon in the United States.
Transmission: Contact with infectious blood, similar to how HBV is spread.

Vaccination: There is no vaccine for hepatitis D.

Hepatitis E is a serious liver disease caused by the hepatitis E virus (HEV) that usually results in an acute infection. It does not lead to a chronic infection. While rare in the United States, hepatitis E is common in many parts of the world.
Transmission: Ingestion of fecal matter, even in microscopic amounts; outbreaks are usually associated with contaminated water supply in countries with poor sanitation.

Vaccination: There is currently no FDA-approved vaccine for hepatitis E.

[newleaf09]

The vaccination for hep b is a great idea.  My insurance covered my hep a & hep b series of shots.  Hep C is sexually transmissible but it is very, very rare to transmit between couples.  Since it's blood to blood transmission, it would have to be very, very rough sex (I'm blushing just writing this) in which both partners get injured.  

[Irisflower2u]

Thanks for giving me this information. I appreciate it very much.

[desrt]

Hep A and B are a series of 2 or 3 vaccinations over the course of several months. At the end of that time you need to be checked to see if you've actually established the antibodies. It's not unusual to have to repeat the series if they don't take the first time. It's recommended that even those of us who have established antibodies by contracting the viruses and clearing them have our antibody situation rechecked occasionally.
None of this applies to HCV. Having Hep C antibodies and clearing the virus gives no protection.

[Irisflower2u]

Thank you for that information. How effective is the vaccination?

[Marcia2202]

I just wanted to add that hepatitis B is sexually transmittable. But you can get a vaccination. I would suggest that you should get the hep A and B combo vaccination. It's called Twinrix.

[Irisflower2u]

Things seem alot brighter! Thank you!

[burned74]

I have been married for 30 years and had hep c for 35.

I didnt find out I had hep C until 5 years ago.

My wife is negative, as are my two children.

Bills advice above is excellent!!

[Irisflower2u]

There is always hope that things will turn out ok. Read your profile...keep on fighting.
Take care,
~Iris~

[thegypsy9164]

Bill,

As always, I sincerely appreciate your input on the varying topics in this forum.  You seem very well versed on the subjects addressed.

I have been through 20wifes and fathered 4 children while an active carrier.  None have been effected.

Irisflower 2u,
Best wishes to you.
Joey

[Fede446]

thanks so much

[Bill1954]

You're quite welcome; now enjoy :o).

[Irisflower2u]

Thanks so very much for the information. The more I know about this, the better I feel.