Sex or no sex?

[Utility]

Ok, I have heard so many opinions on having unprotected sex with 1 partner having hep C and it seems that the general concensus is that it's not an STD and it's safe to engage in unprotected sex. However, there are some who espouse the opinion that it's a big risk.
So, if you met someone that had HEP C and no other conditions, would you be comfortable having unprotected sex or would you always use a condom?
Thanks all.

[MagTX]

"So, if you met someone that had HEP C and no other conditions, would you be comfortable having unprotected sex or would you always use a condom? "

Question for you.  You stated in your question that if you met someone that "had" hepc... do they still have the active hepc virus or did they treat it, were cured and only have the pos antibodies without the virus?  I guess I didn't understand your question completely.....  If they "have" hepc then my previous advise would not really apply here..

[ann61]

The risks are small  if there is no exchange of blood, but your partner has the right to make an informed decision.  Discuss this openly together.

I've had hep c since 1980 and was diagnosed in 1995.  I was married for 21 years and my ex never got it.  After extensive research, my current partner has also opted not to use protection.  He has also been tested and does not have it.

[MagTX]

My advise would be to use a condom and discuss or ask your partner to get tested for hepc and for all the STD's, (if this is going to be a long term relationship). If all testing comes back negative I would continue practicing safe sex for at least 6 months and re test around this time frame. Transmittable diseases and STD's take approx. 6 months or less to manifest themselves and show up on a blood test. So,  if you and your partner are both neg after 6 months and not having sex with anyone else then it is most likely safe to move forward without having to use the protection.

You could ask a doctor if this rational is good or bad advise and see what he thinks.....

[streamline569]

I second that....ALWAYS.....or as goofy would like make them CoMe with a blood test.....LOL

[suezeeque]

If you've just met someone, ALWAYS use a condom.  ALWAYS.

[belle19]

i've had hcv for 37 years and just found out last november.  i've been married for 30 years and my husband got tested.  he does not have it.  belle

[hondapatches]

I have been married three different times, I have had unprotected sex with all of them, My recent husband and I have been married 17 years and he has never gotten it neither has any of my ex's gotten it. So I guess its just up to your spouse. Mine all knew about the hep c and my doctor said it is not likely that you can get it trough unprotected sex. Unless there is blood involved, that's the only way you could possibly get it.

[HectorSF]

First you should be practicing safe sex anyway. You don't know what person's medical history truly is. Maybe they never got tested for various illness like most people. Or the may have become infected recently and the illness has not manifested itself yet. You never know. Plus hepatitis B and HIV and well as STDs can be spread through sex.

Everyone can have an opinion. It doesn't mean it is correct. Many couples have been married for decades and never pasted the virus to the other partner. Sexual relations is not an efficient means of transmission of hep C. Of course it also depends on the type of sex you are having. If you have rough sex and their is blood involved, of course there is a risk.

More commonly, if someone is in a long-term relationship with a person who has hepatitis C, there is only a small chance (up to 3% over 20
years) that they could get hepatitis C from their sexual partner.  Of course this assumes that neither partner is having sex outside of the relationship.

Hector  

[nygirl7]

It is not a big risk.