sex and hep c

I wanted to post this to Dr. D... but he has reached his question limit for the day.

I seem to hear two different things regarding sex and hcv.

Some say you can transmit the disease sexually, others say ,"no way".

Is there any reason to believe  that if  you do not  each have an open sore that hcv could be transmitted sexually?

I have been married for 26 years and my wife was tested and was not infected.  But my gp said "use a condom".

I have had the virus our entire marriage, so why the condom?

thanks for any opinions.
bandman

[MollyPickles]

i have read that hep c can be transmitted sexually. it is very unlikely, but not impossible.

[Bill1954]

This is from the U.S. Center for Disease Control;

http://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/Populations/STDs.htm

“Although not common, hepatitis C virus (HCV) can be transmitted through sexual activity. The factors found to be associated with sexual transmission of HCV are sex with multiple partners, presence of other STDs, or sex with trauma. Case-control studies have reported an association between acquiring HCV infection and exposure to a sex contact with HCV infection or exposure to multiple sex partners. Surveillance data also indicate that 15%–20% of persons reported with acute HCV infection have a history of sexual exposure in the absence of other risk factors.”

[Trish77]

You don't need a condom in a monogamous relationship unless you're engaging in the kind of sexual activity that causes tearing and therefore blood transmission.  If it was your wife with Hep C, then the added caveat would apply of not having sex while she has her period, but since it's you...then that doesn't apply.

However, you're on treatment, right?  I'm on treatment and had a tubal ligation 20+ years ago, but I'm still requested to use a condom while on treatment as the risk is that great to an unborn child due to the impact of the treatment drugs.  Is it possible that your GP is telling you to use a condom more because you're on treatment than because of the possibility of sexual transmission?

Trish

[Trish77]

Geez Bill ... we have to stop meeting like this. :)

[FlGuy]

Bill:
What's this surveillance data business? Are they watching? If so, how do you get one of those jobs?
Band:
For sex alone, the condom is not needed.

[jdwithhcv]

Sex alone, while low risk, isn't nearly as much fun.

[Bill1954]

FL- you must have forgotten to check the ‘surveillance’ box when you signed up. I checked the ‘self surveillance” box by mistake… it’s been a dreadfully boring job :o).

Trish- good catch on the pregnancy aspect. The quote from the CDC above contrasts with a previous statement from them that said something to the effect “the CDC does not recommend for or against the use of condoms for monogamous couples where one partner is HCV infected”. That’s not a verbatim quote; only drawing from memory here.

[bandman54]

You mean cause my wife might get pregnant?


If so, not to worry, she had a hysterectomy.

Anyway, my gp told me this, not my tx nurse.  So I will run it by here.

thanks,
bandman

[can-do-man]

Your question might have already been answered my the doctor....

Under thread...... My boyfriend has hvc.

Doctor DD answer

by Douglas Dieterich, MD


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Douglas Dieterich, MD  
Male
New York - NY
Member since May 2008  



, Jul 22, 2008 07:09AM
To: Shorty69


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Shorty69
Female
Member since Jul 2008  



HCV does not seem to transmitted by heterosexual vaginal intercourse or by oral sex. In men who have sex with men it is transmitted by anal intercourse. Your boyfriend is correct it has to be blood to blood transmission. If you are around hepatitis A and B patients you should be vaccinated for those as should your boyfriend. Have fun! DTD
----------------------------------------

Best to you

cando

[bandman54]

thanks!
bandman

[R Glass]

Been bumping ugly’s with the wife  25 years and she is negative.

[can-do-man]

One thing i have never understood is you read having sex in a monogamous relationship is no problem, but multiple partners there is a risk. So if i have sex 10 times with my wife i'm safe, but if i have sex with 10 different women i run a risk of contacting hcv. HOW? WHY?

[eureka254]

LMAO.  Thanks for the humor! :)
~eureka