transmitting

How can hepatitis C be transmitted between people?

[Val0402]

Hi, they only way you can get Hep C is by direct blood contact with a carrier of Hep C.

[Jakied]

Blood transfusion before 1991 and intravenous drug use are the most common methods

of transmission.  Sexual transmission is possible but rare.

Fyi.

[Qwertyfables]

What if a small amount of vaginal fluid gets on your penis, but not on the tip? Is this a way to contract the hep c?

[GrandOak]

Qwertyfables,

HCV is not considered to be a STD because it is blood bourne not fluid bourne.  This means that fluid exchange, be it vaginal, saliva, whatever, will not transmit the virus.  For tranmission to occur there needs to be blood contact between the people involved.

Thus, the only way it will be transmitted during sexual interaction is if there is blood contact between the people.  So, for a virgin who may experience bleeding during intercourse, then it is important for her partner to be protected to avoid risk of their blood mixing during their encounter.

Also, for some who engauge in acts where blood interaction is a distinct possibility, then the risk of transmission is high.

But for those who do not enguage in those type of acts, the risk of transmission is minimal or nil.

It sounds like you are confusing other viral infections such as HIV or HBV, which are transmitted through exchange of body fluids, with HCV which is *only* transmitted through blood interaction.