Hep and sex?

[hepwife650]

hi. my husband was diagnosed with hep c. We've been together 6 years.  How safe is it to have unprotected sex? I have read everythink from there's no chance to there is a 20% chance. I am so confused. I want our sexlife to be as normal as we can, but I want to keep myself safe. Does any one have experience in this matter?

[IAmTheWalrus]

Chances are pretty slim to get it via sexual transmission. I have heard that it can happen, but I know of no data to support that it is transmitted sexually. In theory, it could happen if both partners are bleeding (in the proper places).

[kittyface]

If your husband hasn't been insured for the last 6 months he's eligible for the new health reform insurance for pre-existing conditions administered by either your state's high risk insurance pool or the federal government.  Go to www.healthcare.gov to view your options.  

Under this program my monthly premium In Texas is $400 as compared to $900 I'd have to pay without the new law.  Depending on your financial situation you may want to waive health insurance and seek assistance from the drug manufacturers who will donate the drugs if you meet income guidelines which are surprisingly generous.  For info see http://www.pegassist.com.

If your income meets federal poverty guidelines you can also get assistance/discounts from some laboratories one of which is Quest Diagnostics.  Good luck and hang in there!

ps I had unprotected sex with boyfriend for 10 years before I was diagnosed and he never contracted it thank God.  

[orleans]

I got HCV 39 years ago (most likely drugs), didn't know for 37 years.  Been married 32 years, 5 kids. No transmission.  Sorry, it is pre-existing, ya'll might want to look into doing a clinical trial. good luck, jm

[Jakied]

Hep C is not considered a STD and sexual transmission is very rare.

[nygirl7]

I was so worried because I don't know if he got it from the drug use 15 years ago, or when he cheated on me 1 year ago. "

If the chance of giving it to you is almost zero then the chance he got it from someone else via sex is also zero.  Drug use however is the easiest way to get it and I'd bet the farm that is it.

It doesn't matter how you got it as long as you know you have it so you can cure it or take care of yourself with it.  All else is a moot point.

[hepwife650]

I was so worried because I don't know if he got it from the drug use 15 years ago, or when he cheated on me 1 year ago. He was diagnosed when I asked him to get tested for everything before we got back together. I love him so much, but it does worry me. Also, is hep considered a preextisting condition? We want to get him treatment, but he currently doesn't have med insurance.

[WriteItDown]

My husband and I have been together 15 years, he had HCV since he was a pup and didn't know it. We've practiced unsafe sex pretty much the whole time and I have not gotten HCV. This is not to say you can't get it via sex, but the virus is passed from the blood, so in my opinion (I am not a doctor!), unless you have quite rough sex you should be okay.

[Diane12855]

Unless you both bleed during sex, there is almost no chance of passing hep c to you. Many people on here didn't know they had it for over 20 years and their spouses didn't get it.