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Should i get tested for HEP C?
I've had alot of sexual partners in the past years. I am a heterosexual male thats had vaginal sex only with women. Never anal. I never shared needles or had blood transfusions. I hear people say Hep C is an std, while others say it isnt. I was tested for hiv and other stds last month and i came out fine. and i got vaccinated for Hep B... What about Hep C? Should i get the test?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Wlecome to the STD forum.
There is no need to test for hepatitis C virus (HCV) your situation. You are correct about the controversy about HCV as an STD. The fact is that the only group in which reliable research has shown that sexual transmission clearly occurs is men who have sex with men, especially those who are HIV positive -- and among MSM it seems to be limited to those who participate in particularly vigorous anal sex practices likely to result in injury and bleeding. HCV is rarely if ever heterosexually transmitted, and we rarely test for it in my STD clinic unless someone has risks through blood exposure, such as needle-sharing injection drug users.
I hope this helps. Best wishes-- HHH, MD
There is no need to test for hepatitis C virus (HCV) your situation. You are correct about the controversy about HCV as an STD. The fact is that the only group in which reliable research has shown that sexual transmission clearly occurs is men who have sex with men, especially those who are HIV positive -- and among MSM it seems to be limited to those who participate in particularly vigorous anal sex practices likely to result in injury and bleeding. HCV is rarely if ever heterosexually transmitted, and we rarely test for it in my STD clinic unless someone has risks through blood exposure, such as needle-sharing injection drug users.
I hope this helps. Best wishes-- HHH, MD
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
A negative rapid HIV test is just as reliable as a lab-based test. You can use the search link and enter "rapid HIV test" for many discussions about it. Your negative result is 100% proof you did not catch HIV in December.
Ok i feel a little better now! Thank you.. And just to clarify a few things, when i was tested for HIV, i had a 15 min rapid test done at the health department. The nurse pricked my finger with some blood coming out and got results telling me it was negative. Those type of tests, in your view are they reliable? Can i count on me being negative? Last time i had sex was earley december 2008 and i was tested on april 24th 2009
You are reading content posted in the STDs Forum
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Millions of people are diagnosed with STDs in the U.S. each year.
STDs can't be transmitted by casual contact, like hugging or touching.
Syphilis is an STD that is transmitted by oral, genital and anal sex.
