I am scared

[inlovegirl]

Hello I really need some help, I am dating this guy and have fallen in love with him and he just told me yesterday that he had hep c. I have been researching the past 24 about this disease.  We were talking about moving in together and I have 3 children, I am completly scared now. Is it possible to live in the same household with him, and with my kids and not contract the disease? This is like a breaking point in the relationship. I dont want to put my kids lives in danger. My head tells me to get out quick, but my heart is telling me something else.PLEASE help with any information that you might have, or what your doctors have told you. THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!

[HCA]

You won't get it ,nor will your kids.
I raised three chidren whilst (unknowingly) having Hep C.
None of my old girlfriends caight it from me either.
It is not an STD..
How do you think you or your kids are going to become infected?
Infection relies upon blood to blood contamination..
If you have really spent the last 24 hours researching you would already know this.

[Emilio44]

I estimate that I have had hcv for 20 odd years all of which I have been married to my wonderful wife and have raised 3 wonderful daughters.  Do the math on how many occasions my wife and I have been intimate. The kids and I have been shared bath water, utensils, coughs, colds and influenza etc and non have caught this dreaded disease thank God.  My biggest concern was the fact that for a brief period my daughters were sharing my old razors when they first started shaving their legs, while this is a risk they were luck enough not to have contracted hcv.  So you and your partner should avoid rough sex including anal.  Avoid sharing razors and just be sensible and put some strategies in place. You guys sound as though you need some education on the disease.  By the way this disease is way curable some geno types more so than others, research is slowly getting the disease sussed and if all goes well should be totally curable in the foreseeable future.  I would recommend that you and your find out geno type? viral load? liver damage (biopsy) and make some decisions regarding 'to treat' or 'not to treat'.  Maybe this has all been sorted and covered but you haven't mentioned in your post. Regards Emi

[Kathy73]

I give you this advice from experience...always listen to your heart!

[RCM829]

Wow, aren't you lucky to have found someone you love and who was been brave enough to share his Hep C with you.
You or your children will not contract this from him.
Please try to be supportive of him . I wish you both great happiness together!

[inlovegirl]

Thanks everyone so much for your comments. I feel so much better. I was very sad when i first found out, I thought I would have to walk away from the love of my life, I knew that I need to first ask questions before I made a decision, and I am so glad that I found this forum, you guys have been so helpful to me!! Keep the comments coming if you like, and I hope that if I have more questions you would be willing to help me out!!!
THANK YOU!!!!!

[lalapple]

hi, first of all, i think you're a wonderful amazing person to consider looking into information before you make a decision.  you really do love this guy!

hepatitis c is only spread through blood to blood contact.  that is, if an individual had a cut on their body that is bleeding, an open wound, and came into contact with someone's blood containing active hepatitis virus. there could be a possibility of transmission.  even if transmission happens, you body could have a chance to fight off the virus on it's own within 6 weeks.

significant portion of people with hepatitis c get this through use of IV drugs and blood transfusion before 1993.  i was informed that as long as couples keep a monogamous relationship, the percentage of transmission is in the single digits.  don't know why...

here is a wonderful site to help you learn more:  hcvadvocate.org  and go to the fact sheets.

i hope you will use these information wisely to make that choice.  remember, don't discriminate, but take precautions.

[lalapple]

also very important to be hygienic.  but i've had hcv before i was 1 year old through a blood transfusion.  i wasn't aware i had the virus until i was 15 years old.  before i found out i had hcv, my parents and grandparents and cousins were very close to me.  we shared food and occasionally parents bandaged my wounds when i was a kid.  they all tested and don't have the virus so far as i know.

[CMcH]

I have been married 13 years with 2 kids and no one else in my family has it.
My understanding is to not use the same razor, toothbrush or toe nail clippers.
Although I am sure my family has done all of the above.
If he is going to go through treatment I would consider that. It is very hard on a relationship and can take its toll.
If you are in love you can probably weather that too.
Good luck