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Potential Partner with Hep C
Thank you in advance for answering my questions....
My friend, whom I have been friends with for 4 years, has chronic hepatitis C. We recently started entertaining the idea of dating, and participated in some mild foreplay which only involved caressing. We have not engaged in actual sex. I was never concerned about contracting the virus from him, and have even stayed weekends at his home with no thought of it. Now that things have gotten slightly intimate, I am terrified. Perhaps you could explain to me what my chances are of contracting the virus if I avoid using his razors, toothbrushes, etc. What are my chances of contracting the virus from "caressing"? What about "non-visible" cuts he may have, or dried blood (scab) from a healing wound, is this contagious? Since he works construction, he does cut his hands often. He says that I need to trust him and that he had no cuts on his hands. I feel horrible that I am so terrified and certainly don't want to hurt his feelings by continuously asking him.
Thanks, Dee
My friend, whom I have been friends with for 4 years, has chronic hepatitis C. We recently started entertaining the idea of dating, and participated in some mild foreplay which only involved caressing. We have not engaged in actual sex. I was never concerned about contracting the virus from him, and have even stayed weekends at his home with no thought of it. Now that things have gotten slightly intimate, I am terrified. Perhaps you could explain to me what my chances are of contracting the virus if I avoid using his razors, toothbrushes, etc. What are my chances of contracting the virus from "caressing"? What about "non-visible" cuts he may have, or dried blood (scab) from a healing wound, is this contagious? Since he works construction, he does cut his hands often. He says that I need to trust him and that he had no cuts on his hands. I feel horrible that I am so terrified and certainly don't want to hurt his feelings by continuously asking him.
Thanks, Dee
Hi,
Swing by my profile.
Everyones levels of fear or concern are different.
Do a gut check on what is making you fearful.
If you think you are going to go the long haul with this guy, bone up like a sponge on information. Quiz his doctor with ALL YOU"RE questions. Be proactive in all areas of knowledge as the "other half" of a HCV partner.
Just be honest with yourself on weather you can be with a person who has this and if YOU can do the HCV dance with them.
I married my hubby with both of us not knowing he had the darn disease. 8 mos into our union, I noticed he was "yellow' and not turning fleshie pink again.
Blood test found the HCV that apparently lay dormont for maybe 30 years.
(Vietnam in the late 60's early 70's is the only thing we can come up with).
We were "intimate" like two kids from the seventies the first year of our marriage.
But WE took this on as a couple.
The 1st week we learned he had it I quickly devoured as much information on what pertained to our life and the lifestyle we lived.
Sex was a good chunk of that. Once we learned 99% of the ways it is sperad, I got tested before we engaged in sex again. I got MY blood test results back, (neg) we continued our happy times with no second thoughts.
Because we are both aware of the way it spreads, he is gracious and forthright in telling me if he has a cut or somrthing else that could be a danger.
I get out the neosporian and band aids and away we go!
Plus I get tested once a year. Comforts him knowing I am not HCV pos. Me too!
If he makes you uncomfortable with HIS level of awareness and HIS level of thoughtfulness towards your health, rethink YOU"RE future.
You have every right to be in any type of relationship that best suits you're wants and needs.
Its your life here on earth.
One go around.
Goes by faster than you ever imagined.
do a gut check.
Be happy, content, smart, and honest. Listen to your intuitions.
Swing by my profile.
Everyones levels of fear or concern are different.
Do a gut check on what is making you fearful.
If you think you are going to go the long haul with this guy, bone up like a sponge on information. Quiz his doctor with ALL YOU"RE questions. Be proactive in all areas of knowledge as the "other half" of a HCV partner.
Just be honest with yourself on weather you can be with a person who has this and if YOU can do the HCV dance with them.
I married my hubby with both of us not knowing he had the darn disease. 8 mos into our union, I noticed he was "yellow' and not turning fleshie pink again.
Blood test found the HCV that apparently lay dormont for maybe 30 years.
(Vietnam in the late 60's early 70's is the only thing we can come up with).
We were "intimate" like two kids from the seventies the first year of our marriage.
But WE took this on as a couple.
The 1st week we learned he had it I quickly devoured as much information on what pertained to our life and the lifestyle we lived.
Sex was a good chunk of that. Once we learned 99% of the ways it is sperad, I got tested before we engaged in sex again. I got MY blood test results back, (neg) we continued our happy times with no second thoughts.
Because we are both aware of the way it spreads, he is gracious and forthright in telling me if he has a cut or somrthing else that could be a danger.
I get out the neosporian and band aids and away we go!
Plus I get tested once a year. Comforts him knowing I am not HCV pos. Me too!
If he makes you uncomfortable with HIS level of awareness and HIS level of thoughtfulness towards your health, rethink YOU"RE future.
You have every right to be in any type of relationship that best suits you're wants and needs.
Its your life here on earth.
One go around.
Goes by faster than you ever imagined.
do a gut check.
Be happy, content, smart, and honest. Listen to your intuitions.
All of your responses are greatly appreciated. As you can imagine, surfing the internet for these answers sometimes can scare you more than it should. Like I said, we have been friends for 4+ years, played softball together, ate together, shared a house together for numerous weekends, etc etc. He has completed one round of meds, but his doctor is recommending a second which he hasn't started yet. After starting to read about the virus, I started thinking I should be tested due to all of the casual contact he and I have had.
I know from being a blood donor that has of 3 years ago, I must have tested negative although I never thought about it back then. I don't recall ever being exposed to his blood, but then again how would I know for sure??? I guess I am looking for my fears to be alleviated by understanding that I can take precautions and be ok, and that its ok for him to touch me intimately. This is dating, no marriage proposal and no talk about spending forever together, so I would ate to put myself at risk, contract the virus, and then be alone.... I know there are many that are in this very position, but if you had the choice I am sure you would not have chosen to contract the virus. Thanks again for all your support it is greatly appreciated.
Dee
I know from being a blood donor that has of 3 years ago, I must have tested negative although I never thought about it back then. I don't recall ever being exposed to his blood, but then again how would I know for sure??? I guess I am looking for my fears to be alleviated by understanding that I can take precautions and be ok, and that its ok for him to touch me intimately. This is dating, no marriage proposal and no talk about spending forever together, so I would ate to put myself at risk, contract the virus, and then be alone.... I know there are many that are in this very position, but if you had the choice I am sure you would not have chosen to contract the virus. Thanks again for all your support it is greatly appreciated.
Dee
My dad has Hep C for over 20 years, and he has always been careful, two tears ago my daughter went into his bathroom went in his garbage can found his disposable razor and accidently cut her thumb with his razor. He was devastated to say the least . The Dr. said the odds of her getting the virus was pretty slim. We tested her for the Hep C and Hiv cause he has both, and again after 6 months and again 6 months later and she was fine. they say she is fine. I think if your careful and your aware and take the right precautions you should be fine. This was an accident and my dad has always been so careful it just so happened my 10 year old got curious it was a good lesson for her because she hated the blood tests . Needless to say i don't think she will ever do anything like that again without asking first.
This question comes up often. From all of the literature that I have read, and all the informed opinions I have heard, there is strong consensus that there is no reason to be afraid of sexual intimacy.
HepC is transmitted through blood-to-blood contact. This means it is transmitted through blood transfusions from infected blood (which is rare since the blood supply is now screened), use of medical instruments from one patient to another without sterilization, shared needles in IV drug use, etc.
I was married for over 25 years and had 5 children with my wife when I found out that I was infected with HCV (and had been for about 30 years). None of my family, including my wife, is infected despite 25 years of living together with "no precautions".
Nevertheless, it might be prudent to take some precautions. It is generally advised not to share toothbrushes, and razors. It has been said that protection during sex is not necessary in monogamous couples, but might be a good idea. One thing is for sure: you do not get HepC from casual contact. See your doctor about this, if only to set your mind at rest.
Maybe more important is: what is your friend doing about the disease? I hope he has seen a specialist and had his virus genotype identified and his liver status evaluated.
Best wishes :)
HepC is transmitted through blood-to-blood contact. This means it is transmitted through blood transfusions from infected blood (which is rare since the blood supply is now screened), use of medical instruments from one patient to another without sterilization, shared needles in IV drug use, etc.
I was married for over 25 years and had 5 children with my wife when I found out that I was infected with HCV (and had been for about 30 years). None of my family, including my wife, is infected despite 25 years of living together with "no precautions".
Nevertheless, it might be prudent to take some precautions. It is generally advised not to share toothbrushes, and razors. It has been said that protection during sex is not necessary in monogamous couples, but might be a good idea. One thing is for sure: you do not get HepC from casual contact. See your doctor about this, if only to set your mind at rest.
Maybe more important is: what is your friend doing about the disease? I hope he has seen a specialist and had his virus genotype identified and his liver status evaluated.
Best wishes :)
Married - great sex --- used hubby's toothbrush, razors, etc... And he and family are HCV free.
Also was involved in a serious car accident - still no HCV.
So I don't think that it's "THAT" contagious.
It's a blood to blood disease - and a lot of us have families and spouses that NEVER "caught" it from us for over 25 years.
Use universal precautions when dealing with ANYONE'S Blood products - if you notice lesions or other things in yourself or on him - use protection.
But there is a very VERY low chance of catching HCV via sex.
Hugs,
Meki
Also was involved in a serious car accident - still no HCV.
So I don't think that it's "THAT" contagious.
It's a blood to blood disease - and a lot of us have families and spouses that NEVER "caught" it from us for over 25 years.
Use universal precautions when dealing with ANYONE'S Blood products - if you notice lesions or other things in yourself or on him - use protection.
But there is a very VERY low chance of catching HCV via sex.
Hugs,
Meki
The sentence above that said "One reason for frequent monitoring might be that if caught in the early phase (acute, rather than chronic, defined by infection", should have read:
" One reason for frequent monitoring might be that if caught in the early phase (acute, rather than chronic, defined by infection less than six months) the treatment is generally *very* effective.
Grrrr, cut and paste, combined with "less than arrows" broke the HTML code :o).
" One reason for frequent monitoring might be that if caught in the early phase (acute, rather than chronic, defined by infection less than six months) the treatment is generally *very* effective.
Grrrr, cut and paste, combined with "less than arrows" broke the HTML code :o).
Really good questions-
Remember that the chances of sexual transmission are slim, but not impossible.
One reason for frequent monitoring might be that if caught in the early phase (acute, rather than chronic, defined by infection <six months) the treatment is generally *very* effective.
If his Hep C is being managed by a specialist at this point; consider piggy-backing an appointment with this MD, and getting his perspective.
As far as my family was concerned, I was divorced for a number of years prior to diagnosis, so we had no knowledge of HCV; my ex and kids were tested in 2004, at the time of my diagnosis. I’ve never heard of a spouse being tested at frequent intervals before; usually an occasional random test will suffice, particularly for monogamous couples.
Here is a study from my hard drive that details the prevalence of sexual transmission; it includes a URL link from the original:
“…Am J Gastroenterol. 2004 May;99(5):855-9
http://tinyurl.com/258a2l
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Dipartimento di Medicina Interna, Universita di Modena e Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.
The risk of sexual transmission of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection was evaluated among 895 monogamous heterosexual partners of HCV chronically infected individuals in a long-term prospective study, which provided a follow-up period of 8,060 person-years. Seven hundred and seventy-six (86.7%) spouses were followed for 10 yr, corresponding to 7,760 person-years of observation. One hundred and nineteen (13.3%) spouses (69 whose infected partners cleared the virus following treatment and 50 who ended their relationship or were lost at follow-up) contributed an additional 300 person-years. All couples denied practicing anal intercourse or sex during menstruation, as well as condom use. The average weekly rate of sexual intercourse was 1.8. Three HCV infections were observed during follow-up corresponding to an incidence rate of 0.37 per 1,000 person-years. However, the infecting HCV genotype in one spouse (2a) was different from that of the partner (1b), clearly excluding sexual transmission. The remaining two couples had concordant genotypes, but sequence analysis of the NS5b region of the HCV genome, coupled with phylogenetic analysis showed that the corresponding partners carried different viral isolates, again excluding the possibility of intraspousal transmission of HCV."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Again, we’re not medical professionals in here, but somewhat educated patients. Make sure that you DO consult with a qualified physician for up-to-date info before following any internet-generated advice :o).
Take care, and feel free to continue to ask questions,
Bill
Remember that the chances of sexual transmission are slim, but not impossible.
One reason for frequent monitoring might be that if caught in the early phase (acute, rather than chronic, defined by infection <six months) the treatment is generally *very* effective.
If his Hep C is being managed by a specialist at this point; consider piggy-backing an appointment with this MD, and getting his perspective.
As far as my family was concerned, I was divorced for a number of years prior to diagnosis, so we had no knowledge of HCV; my ex and kids were tested in 2004, at the time of my diagnosis. I’ve never heard of a spouse being tested at frequent intervals before; usually an occasional random test will suffice, particularly for monogamous couples.
Here is a study from my hard drive that details the prevalence of sexual transmission; it includes a URL link from the original:
“…Am J Gastroenterol. 2004 May;99(5):855-9
http://tinyurl.com/258a2l
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Dipartimento di Medicina Interna, Universita di Modena e Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.
The risk of sexual transmission of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection was evaluated among 895 monogamous heterosexual partners of HCV chronically infected individuals in a long-term prospective study, which provided a follow-up period of 8,060 person-years. Seven hundred and seventy-six (86.7%) spouses were followed for 10 yr, corresponding to 7,760 person-years of observation. One hundred and nineteen (13.3%) spouses (69 whose infected partners cleared the virus following treatment and 50 who ended their relationship or were lost at follow-up) contributed an additional 300 person-years. All couples denied practicing anal intercourse or sex during menstruation, as well as condom use. The average weekly rate of sexual intercourse was 1.8. Three HCV infections were observed during follow-up corresponding to an incidence rate of 0.37 per 1,000 person-years. However, the infecting HCV genotype in one spouse (2a) was different from that of the partner (1b), clearly excluding sexual transmission. The remaining two couples had concordant genotypes, but sequence analysis of the NS5b region of the HCV genome, coupled with phylogenetic analysis showed that the corresponding partners carried different viral isolates, again excluding the possibility of intraspousal transmission of HCV."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Again, we’re not medical professionals in here, but somewhat educated patients. Make sure that you DO consult with a qualified physician for up-to-date info before following any internet-generated advice :o).
Take care, and feel free to continue to ask questions,
Bill
Thank you for your response. I have read as much information as I can find regarding transmitting the virus, and have always felt relatively secure as his friend that I would not contract the virus. If you don't mind answering just a couple of more questions for me? He told me that his doctor would recommend me getting tested every 6 months if we dated, did your wife get tested this often? Why would the recommended testing be so often? Did your wife and child get tested this often? Also, one more concern and honestly I am done, I understand that transmission is a blood to blood exposure, am I correct in thinking that I would have to have a fresh wound (bleeding) come in direct contact with his blood to contract the virus? I am athletic, its not uncommon for me to get scrapped up playing softball.
Thanks again.
Dee
Thanks again.
Dee
Hi Dee,
I can tell you that I was very likely infected with HCV in the early to mid 70’s. I was married from 1976 through 1994, and as a carpenter, my wife bandaged my cuts, etc. We had a very active sex life, including occasional sex during menses; we shared coke straws, etc, and she remains HCV negative to date. Neither she nor my two children contracted this.
From the Center for Disease Control:
http://www.cdc.gov/NCIDOD/DISEASES/HEPATITIS/c/faq.htm#1b1
“…Should patients with hepatitis C change their sexual practices if they have only one long-term steady sex partner?
No. There is a very low chance of spreading HCV to that partner through sexual activity. If you want to lower the small chance of spreading HCV to your sex partner, you may decide to use barrier precautions such as latex condoms. The efficacy of latex condoms in preventing infection with HCV is unknown, but their proper use may reduce transmission. Ask your doctor about having your sex partner tested…”
Read the CDC faq sheet, and scroll down to the section entitled “counseling”. This should answer most of your questions regarding transmission. Of course, another resource is your primary care physician; you can always get his/her take on this as well, however some of the family docs aren’t very well versed on the subject.
Thanks for taking the time to ask about this; many people just walk away from HCV infected folks without taking the time to research a little. Continue to cuddle and caress without concern; if things develop further, you’ll now have the knowledge to deal with it.
Be well,
Bill
I can tell you that I was very likely infected with HCV in the early to mid 70’s. I was married from 1976 through 1994, and as a carpenter, my wife bandaged my cuts, etc. We had a very active sex life, including occasional sex during menses; we shared coke straws, etc, and she remains HCV negative to date. Neither she nor my two children contracted this.
From the Center for Disease Control:
http://www.cdc.gov/NCIDOD/DISEASES/HEPATITIS/c/faq.htm#1b1
“…Should patients with hepatitis C change their sexual practices if they have only one long-term steady sex partner?
No. There is a very low chance of spreading HCV to that partner through sexual activity. If you want to lower the small chance of spreading HCV to your sex partner, you may decide to use barrier precautions such as latex condoms. The efficacy of latex condoms in preventing infection with HCV is unknown, but their proper use may reduce transmission. Ask your doctor about having your sex partner tested…”
Read the CDC faq sheet, and scroll down to the section entitled “counseling”. This should answer most of your questions regarding transmission. Of course, another resource is your primary care physician; you can always get his/her take on this as well, however some of the family docs aren’t very well versed on the subject.
Thanks for taking the time to ask about this; many people just walk away from HCV infected folks without taking the time to research a little. Continue to cuddle and caress without concern; if things develop further, you’ll now have the knowledge to deal with it.
Be well,
Bill
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