Sexually trasmitted Hep

[big lesson learned]

Does anyone know what types of Hepatitis is sexually transmitted? Is Hepatitis C transmitted through only blood or can it be found in semen also?  I am new. can someone help?

[toughluck]

Example you are a male having unprotected sex with a female who has HCV, she is at the end or start of here period there is your blood. That is I believe  how I got it.

[big lesson learned]

I am a female who had sex with a male.  No blood was present and I did not have my period.  If there was no blood, do I still have to worry?  Or is HCV only found in blood?

[Jakied]

Hep B is easily transmitted through sexual activity and is probably the #1 method of Hep B transmission.

Hep C is not easily transmitted through sexual activity and is not considered a Std.  When sexual transmission of Hep C occurs, usually the activity is anal sex or sex with trauma.  Vaginal sex is not considered high risk for hepc transmission.  Male to female transmission is more common than female to male(that is simple anatomy).

HepC is transmitted by Idu(intravenous drug use) and blood transfusion.

If you have been exposed to hep b or c, get tested 3 months after the exposure.  If possible, ask your partner to be tested also.

[Jakied]

Ask your male partner to be tested, if possible.  Test for hiv/hepb/hepc.  If he is neg and past the window period for antibody production (usually three months) then you are home free from any activity with him.  Be honest with yourself about your sexual activity and risk level.

I have feeling you will be neg.  I have no way to prove this but i would be willing to bet that 99.9% of all sexual activity results in NO std transmission.  Hiv/Hepb/hepc/herpes/etc.

[Harry Potter]

Has anyone heard of transmission of Hep C through oral sex (on a man)?  I asked my GP this, telling him about the CDC's conclusions (that it hasn't been documented & isn't likely) & he said to take everything the CDC says with a grain of salt, that transmission through fellatio is possible.  In my case, I don't have bleeding gums (even when my dentist pokes them) or mouth lacerations...I think my GP just doesn't feel it's important to know the why of how I got it.  Though for me, knowing the why would definitely help with pinning down exactly when I got it!

[debnevada]

Hep C is transmitted through a few other ways than IVDU and blood transfusion.

Any kind of exposure blood to blood can transmit it, i.e., exposure to the virus in an open wound and so on.

[CockSparrow]

Hep A Is mostly transmitted through contact with contaminated faeces  and can transmitted during sex, particularly oral/anal sex.

Hep B can be easily transmitted through sexual activity, sharing injecting equipment, sharing toothbrushes or razors, unsterilised tattooing and body piercing equipment and from mother to child at birth.

Hep D is transmitted in much the same way as hepatitis B, There is a small risk of transmission from mother to child at birth, but this is rare.  
It is only found in people who are already infected with hepatitis B.

Hep E is spread by faecal matter coming into contact with another person's mouth.
There is no evidence of transmission through needles, blood, body fluids or through sexual contact.

Hep C Transmission occurs wherever blood to blood contact happens. More precisely when infected blood finds an entry point into anothers blood stream. Risk factors include; Sharing Needles, Receiveing Blood/ Blood products before 1990/92, certain Hospital procedures, Sharing razor blades, toothbrushes and personal hygiene items, and from mother to child at birth.
Hep C Is only sexually transmitted when you run out of other identifiable risk factors. If there are cuts, sores or abrasions on a person's genitals, hands or fingers, sexuall transmittion can occur.  
Sexual assault or forced sex also increases the likelihood of transmission.
.
There have been no recorded cases of transmission through menstrual blood
It is not more easily transmitted from male to female.

Jakied
50% of all adults have HPV (genital warts) so your 99.9% figure for sexual activity is slightly inaccurate.
CS

[meki]

darn... Hepc but no warts...

That makes me what? Not in the top 50%?

LMAO!

Just kidding.

[orphanedhawk]

People have contacted HCV through sharing plastic straws used when snorting drugs, manicures, handling infected tissue in lab situations, tattoos and a host of other ways including rough sexual practices. Please don't perpetuate the sterotype that this is a 'druggie' disease.

[meki]

No no no - it's NOT a "DRUGGIE" disease.

But I don't think that Sex is a "major" transmission route.

I believe it has to be blood into blood... Not get blood or bodily fluids on you... It has to be IN YOU.

In your blood.

I think it almost has to be Injected - or placed Under the Skin... into flowing blood.

Like an actively bleeding, gushing wound. Or injected or sliced into someone (think dentistry utensils ---think shots--- think open wounds touching and bleeding into each other --- etc.)

I really can't see sex as a main transmission route - because no one I've had sex with in the last 2 decades has it. (OK - I'm not raunchy promiscuous - and I could call every partner I've had... but still --- I was pretty ACTIVE with those partners... LOL! I mean - monkey chandelier swinging active. LMAO!)

And my hubby and I have probably tried every imaginable way to procreate. And uhm... well he's HCV clear.

And I didn't EVER do intraveineous drugs.

I can count on one finger all the drugs I've ever done in my life. And that drug never had any blood type of possible action with it. LOL! It just made me have an allergy attack.

So I KNOW it isn't just transmitted through drugs... and since my hubby and I have done just about everything under the sun together during all sorts of times of the month --- when the moon shines --- the stars are aligned.... and in every angle possible... ROFLMAO! And he doesn't have it... well... I have to say --- it can't be that contagious sexually...

I do have a tattoo - but was HepC neg before I had my daughter - and long after that tattooooooo.

So to me - I believe that it has to be pumped into you - through open and moving blood.

Just my thoughts on it.

Meki

[bobbyullc]

fri, was my 33rd anniversary and my wife still gives blood. read and learn and do not give in to fear for fears sake,

bobby and wife.

[Jakied]

Wow, this is a good conversation!  Keep it going.

[Lou712]

Thank you Meki.... I share the same sentiments as you. As if there isn't enough taken away with the discovery of this virus. My transmission.... blood transfusion in 1989 with the birth of my daughter.

[Kymera]

I am goin to be tested for hep C...my liver enzymes are  up slightly high but there is still a possiblity that it is because of Motrin or tylenol so we are redoing the test and also testing me for Hep C.    I never knew hep C was a risk as a sexual transmitted disease.   I wish SOMEONE had told me!!   When I found out I was not the only girl the guy I was having a relationship with was me I had myself tested for HiV and for a year after ALL negative!!!!    When they had a councelor talk to me when I was being tested for HIV...why didnt they mention I should be tested for Hep C too!?   Never thought about Hep C being a risk factor.  Now I am scared that I might have it and my son of 10 years of age might have it due too because we have our tooth brushes in the same holder and he might have at some point picked up my brush and used it accidently.    I might not think that but for the last few months he has had bouts of nausea, vomiting, fever, and upper right abdominal pain that will come and go.  My heart will break if i find out I gave him that.  /crying just thinking about that.  :(

How long does Hep C live on a toothbrush?
What is the average life expectancy of somoene with hep C ?
I am so scared.  :(

[Jakied]

Hep C is not considered a Std and is not easily transmitted through sex.  Try to relax and get tested for Hep B (which is a Std) and HepC.

Could you contact your 'friend' and ask him to be tested?  

I have a feeling this will turn out Ok (meaning neg for hbv and hcv) for you.  have you experienced any symptoms such as joint pain, fatigue or dark colored urine?

[jmjm530]

A good summary/overview which basically concludes that sexual transmission is uncommon but not zero. It also states that transmission appears more common from man to woman, as opposed from woman to man. High risk sexual practices and male-male sex further increases the risk.
http://www.hcvadvocate.org/hcsp/articles/Donovan-1.html

[Kymera]

I have never done IV drugs.   I have experienced some unexplained nausea and fatique, feet pain...but it is the **elevated liver enzymes** and my son has had every symtom there is ....upper right pain/tenderness to just generalized abdominal pain/tenderness, nausea to the point of wanting to throw up ( I have  attributed it to food poisoning but weird that it will leave in like a hour), feeling tired when he gets the nausea and pain:  itchy once;  he was forgetful at the end of the school year to the point where the teacher brought it to my attention.   My son  noticed a red broken blood vessel on his face and asked me what it was *once*, I wrote it off as he maybe got hot or something.    I think I noticed tea colored urine *once* but wrote it off as him not drinking enough water.  I have not seen jaundice though.  

I had a appointment for my son in two weeks with his peditrician about the upper abdominal and nausea he has had on and off for months even before I found out my liver enzymes were elevated and started reading about hepititis.

If my worst fears come true then how do you tell a ex-husband that I gave our son Hep C?  How do you tell him what precautions he will have to take when it comes to my son's blood....and Lord help me but he goes and stays there with his father and his other children and wife.    What if the young children put his toothbrush in their mouth too?    They will probably have to all be tested.    The worst will be ...how do you tell your 10 year old son that your mother gave you something so bad with a stupid toothbrush?     He leaves this monday to be with his dad and family there...do I tell my exhusband that I am having him tested for Hep C and he is showing symptoms?    I would dump that news on my exhusband only to  find out we are negative but yet if we are positive I dont want to keep it a secret either.  

I have never felt so terrible in all my life.   I have not slept a at all tonight.  I wish monday was here so I can get us tested now and know the results today.  I have never been so depressed in my life but today I can say I truly am.  I have not slept all night and just read and cried.   Today is going to be one of my longest days in my life.

I  looked last night Jakied to find that man's number but I threw it out with my past a few years ago, wishing I could erase it.  :(  

I hate to say it Jakied but even though it is not considered a sexually transmitted disease and it is rare for it to happen it should be treated as a sexually transmitted disease since it CAN happen AND there is no known cure or vaccine for it.  I would have been tested right along with my HIV had I known about the risk and precautions I would have needed to take in my house had I found out I was HIV positive.    

Bottomline, this could have been prevented and if my son has Hep C from me I would hope all HIV councelors would encourage testing on Hep C to the folks they test for HIV,  just in case.... to help something like this happening to another child and leaving such guilt on a parent.   Pray for me because the guilt will just haunt me the rest of my life if he tests positive.

[Jakied]

Kymera,

     I truly believe your mind is playing tricks on you.  I know you are concerned about your son but I have a feeling both you and he are neg for hcv.

   let us know how this turns out, ok?  I 'll say a prayer for you tomorrow.

What test are you having today?  The antibody or Pcr?  I know you are scared right now but try to relax.  

[mixedandmanic]

I myself am a 22 year old ex IV drug user, I used for 4 months because my boyfriend told me it felt good, and now I have this as well...  but he had had it for two years (didn't tell me of course) but I got my annual a year before that and was negative, so it was def. the sharing of the blood/needle that gave it to me, not sexual contact with him, and we didn't have protected sex.