Dormant Hep C

[Rhonny16]

I have had 2 liver biopsys and the last one in Feb says that my Hep C is Dormant I see Dr. Wong here in Wpg, MB at the Health Science Center.  Anyway the reason for the question even though my Dr. has said that there is as little a chance as 3% of transmitting my desease.  My boyfriend is a little freaked out for loss of a better work that he is at risk of getting it even though I have a 15 yr old who had a run in with my razor in the shower and after being tested she is negative,  he did get tested and results came back negative as well but he is still concerned how can I ease his mind more than I have tried

[nygirl7]

NYgirl totally agrees with FLGuy in more ways than one ;)

I believe even if you have "active" hepc (which there is no such thing really see above) there is only a 3% chance of passing it sexually as it is.........so "inactive" hepc (no such thing) couldn't be the same rough percentages anyway.

It makes it all confusing as to what your doctor is saying - but the fact that you've had two biopsies and are seeing a hep doc would make me believe that your disease is chronic and that he is checking in to whether you should treat or not at this time?

You need to take the proper precaution of having safeRRRR sex practices and he will be just fine. There have been studies that have shown the number is actually much less than that and I would assume that 3% is just because they can never guarantee anything.
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On another note before I was diagnosed I shared razors toothbrushes everything with my kids and both were just fine upon testing.  It's another one of those "maybe in a million years you could get it that way" situation.

HepC has to be passed BLOOD TO BLOOD so remember that and just try to avoid it (at all costs of course).

[FlGuy]

You are correct. It's virus 'yes' or  virus 'no'.  Using the term 'active' would imply the possibility of  of the term 'inactive'. And if it can't be dormant, it can't be inactive either.  Unlike husbands which can be inactive AND dormant, from what I've been told. Not to be confused with doormat, which my wife claims to be.

[Trinity4]

Hi Peg,

I think the word inactive wouldn't actually apply in terms of not having the virus as stated in the post you referred to.  If someone tests positive for antibodies only that means the immune systems knocked out the virus or they treated successfully than they no longer have the virus.  The active life threatening virus doesn't exist anymore, just the traces of having had the virus so there is nothing to be inactive.  
Much like somone who has have had Syphilis in the past.  Once they are treated the bacteria is killed and they are no longer active but a low level of antibodies will stay in the blood for months or years after the disease has been treated and can be found by later blood tests.
Semantics I suppose but in my mind without the virus present it can't be termed active or inactive?  

Trin

[PegOnPeg]

Now, this intrigues me...a couple weeks ago, I used the term "inactive" when responding to a post, and you guys were all over me..."No such thing, etc...so, when is it ok to say "inactive".

[Trinity4]

I wish doctors would stop using the word "dormant".  That word is so deceiving.
hepc is never dormant if you have the active virus.  PERIOD.  Active hepc continues to cause liver damage regardless of whether your viral load is high or low.   If you treated the virus with interferon and ribavirin and were cured (SVR) you no longer have hepc and are no longer at risk of transmitting the virus and additional damage to your liver will cease.
Very very low likelihood of sexual transmission unless you are involved in rough, anal sex.

Have your girlfriend read all she can about hepc and transmission.  The more she learns about this disease, the less anxious she will become.  We can't completely erase the stigma's and concerns associated with hepc but we can educate those around us in hopes they will have a better understanding.

Here are several good websites:

janis7hepc.com
hcvadvocate.org

Trinity

[FlGuy]

There are some specific questions that need to be asked based on what you wrote.  'Dormant' is not an applicable term with hep-c.  With hep-c you either have an active hep C virus or you don't.  Generally speaking, a biopsy will not reveal the presence of an active infection.  If you do not have an active infection, why the repeat biopsy?  If you do not have active hep-c infection, why would the 15-year old be tested? Maybe the doc has some splaining to do.

[HCA]

The key word here is 'dormant'-what does it mean?
If you are saying you do not not have active Hep C then you can't infect anyone else under any circumstances.
If you do have active Hep C then although the chances of infecting your boyfriend are miniscule it will stay in his mind no matter what you say or do.
The only way to remove his concerns is for you to clear the disease with anti-viral drugs.