hep c worry

[knop]

Hi Doctor,

15 weeks ago I had protected vaginal intercourse with a csw in Sydney. She was a white UK girl at an upscale bordello. We also engaged in 2 minutes of deep/rough kissing and I gently rubbed her vagina for 30 seconds. I can't totally recall, but i think she brushed her teeth before we engaged in these acts. I did not brush my teeth for 6 or so hours before this. I have no history of gum disease.

Exactly 6 weeks after this event i experienced the following symptoms - painful and swollen nodes in the neck, muscle and arthritic-like joint pains, night sweats and chills. 2 weeks after these onset symptoms, i experienced itchiness all over the body including the scalp, constant red eyes and a constant dry cough.

At this point in time, and for the 9th consecutive week of symptoms, I still have the muscle/joint pains, itchiness, red eyes, night sweats and the dry cough.

- 7 weeks after the event i had an LFT and all was normal.

- 13 weeks after, i had an LFT - ALT @ 70 + 2 other enzymes elevated (cant recall names).

- 14 weeks after, i had an LFT - ALT @ 50 + 1 other enzyme elevated (cant recall names but it was lower than it was the week before). I also tested HepB Negative and I'm waiting for HepA and HepC results.


Questions

1. Based on these facts, what do you think my chances are of having HepC?
2. Would a HepB test at 13 weeks be reliable? How about HepC?
2. Do you think another STD could have been contracted from this event given the circumstances and symptoms?

Thanks you for your valuable time,
Knop

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Makes no difference.  As I said, Hep C is not sexually acquired except rarely in gay men through traumatic anal sex.  It was a waste of money to be tested for HCV in this circumstance, unless you are an injection drug user.

[knop]

Hi Doctor,

Thanks for the quick reply. However I am still waiting on the HepC result from the lab... i only got the HepB result (Negative). Sorry if i gave the wrong impression.

Does this change your opinion on my possiblty of HepC?

Thanks again,
Knop

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

I meant to add that Australia's sexual health centres are perhaps the world's best network of STD clinics, and the Sydney SHC is among the best.  Visit them for the most expert care and advice available anywhere.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Stopping after the title or your talk and the opening sentences, before I look at the rest of your question:  HCV is not an STD, except occasionally in men who have sex with men.  Heterosexual exposure is not a documented transmission mechanism.  But no matter what the risk, a negative test at 15 weeks is proof you weren't infected with HCV.

Now I have read the rest, and see questions about hepatitis B as well as C.  But the exposures you describe carry no measurable risk for HBV.  Your symptoms mean nothing.  Remember that more than 90% of hepatitis B and C cases are asymptomatic anyway.  Something else caused your symptoms, probably not related at all to the sexual exposure you describe.  To the specific questions:

1) Zero.

2) Negative results at 13 weeks are reliable for both viruses.

3) There is little or no risk for any other STD, any more than for hepatitis.

I hope this helps. Best wishes--  HHH, MD