Sexual Transmission

[amberank]

I was diagnosed with HCV about 2 years ago. I have been with my husband for 5 years. We still have sex, but no longer have sex during my period, though we did quite often before I was diagnosed. He has not been checked yet, despite my urging. I think he is afraid. What are the chances of infection? Does anyone have any personal experiance with this?

[NYgirl]

I think the chance is 3% overall....in a monogamous relationship -



BUT It IS possible with the period though and that is one of the ways that is TOTALLY discouraged - and we are told to practice relatively "safe" sex meaning no sex during periods, no anal sex or wild sex etc.



He definitely should be checked but some men are really chickens and I just don't know why.  The only thing worse than having this disease is not knowing and letting it progress on and on in ignorance.



It's NOT a death sentence and we are almost all in treatment here and living very worthwhile lives. Plus we are all a bit crazy so we might just not know we're miserable? Only kidding...just trying to show you - it ain't the end of the world.





I hope you can convince him to go - in your particular case he SHOULD be tested for SURE.

[ohgreat]

Actually they say about 3% after a monogomous relationship of 10-20 years from what I have been told.



I am kind of the inverse of that problem.  My Girlfriend was menstrating and I didnt affect her.  I was really concerned about this.  Getting tested showed us both how hard it must be to transmit this sexually as my girlfriend and I are kind of like lil texas field bunnies.



In my city we have free HEPc testing.  Should definately just get it done and out of the way with.

[NYgirl]

Only thing I see that concerned me at all was she said "often" not just once.



That ups the odds. But since she knows she has it - at least she is starting to take care of her percent of it and he might learn and be less scared via her. Hopefully when it's not all "new" he will stop freaking and being a baby (hee hee) and get tested.



What's the worst thing...he finds out he does have it? That is NOT the worst thing in the world at all (even though yes we all thought it was when we first found out LOL)

[can-do-man]

Been with my wife 27 years, And thankfully she doesn't have it.

[sfbaygirl]

I have been with my husband for 8 years and he just tested negetive.  Of course I had to make the appt. with my doctor, who asked to see him.

[2hep2it]

Although the risk is said to be very low, you should also not share nail clippers. You should also be careful of kissing shortly after brushing your teeth if you tend to bleed from your gums. Likewise deep kissing if you have a cut that can bleed. Wish all the best!

[Pdilly]

Try and get him to go to the doctor.  He will probably be glad he did.  My husband was scared and he and my son tested fine.

[Snookmiester]

No Evidence of Sexual Transmission of Hepatitis C among Monogamous Couples: Results of a 10-Year Prospective Study



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 intra-spousal transmission of HCV.



The authors conclude, “Our data indicate that the risk of sexual transmission of HCV within heterosexual monogamous couples is extremely low or even null. No general recommendations for condom use seem required for individuals in monogamous partnerships with HCV-infected partners.”



06/21/04



Reference

Carmen Vandelli and others. Lack of Evidence of Sexual Transmission of Hepatitis C among Monogamous Couples: Results of a 10-Year Prospective Follow-Up Study. American Journal of Gastroenterology 99(6): 855-859. May 2004.

[fishdoc]

Thanks snook... most of us here are old married folks, and we figured that out on our own, but when people get diagnosed, they want it in print, and go through the ***** of a time coming to terms with the information overload...might want to just keep that handy and post weekly it comes up so much... HOw you doing, anyway... are you feeling better... most importantly, been fishing lately??

[beamishboy]

thanks for study results-VERY encouragin!!! like the doc said it squares w/ my experience and then some.....but the fact that 3 partners contracted hep c(from other sources!!) during the follow up is scary! anyone wanna do the math on that??just how fast is this epidemic growing?

[Snookmiester]

Well, I feel pretty good. Been working like a madman, and fishing whenever I can get in.. Dolphin season is in full swing down here, so the freezer is packed with Mahi Mahi fillets. Can't wait till July, as that is the opening of Lobster season, and I missed last year. Boy, are those little tasty bugs gonna pay this year!!! LOL

Hope all is well with you!

[NYgirl]

Said Both of you would have to be bleeding.



It would be pretty easy for a man to have a tear or rub spot open on there...that is how it would get in.  Micro droplets on a toothbrush are supposed to be a danger so if you can imagine....



It's better just to skip that from now on like the doctors all say.  My doc was really adament about it. Doesn't matter to me though...I feel like the virgin mary lately ;)

[beamishboy]

unfortunately i believe hepc survives outa the body longer than previously imagined-somewhere,somebody mentioned up to 14 hrs....don't know the providence or reality of that -and i certainly hope its not true,but it crys out for further studys,.

[faye007]

New evidence shows that genital herpes can increase the rates of heterosexual tranmission. As I suffer from both was wondering if anyone else was in same boat or had more info?

F.

[faye007]

New evidence shows that genital herpes can increase the rates of heterosexual tranmission. As I suffer from both was wondering if anyone else was in same boat or had more info?

F.

[chellski]

i remember we tx'd together, i'm so sorry about your relapse...that's one of the reasons i stay in touch...this hep-c sux big time....there are some here i feel so in touch with, i feel your sorrows and you joys.....keep in touch with us, we'll keep you happy, and help you thru this next tx, if that's what you choose....scruffy is waiting for the new ****, and we're sticking by him too! (ya scruff - you cannot get rid of us that easy) i'm also waiting for sandi (lvdbygod) to get her results, she was gonna wait til after vaca and i haven't heard if she was negative (which im sure she is)

i was one of the lucky ones, clear at 12weeks, and 1month post, 4month post still showing clear....

take chevy up on that offer of a whole new world....

chelle

[Bill1954]

Sounds like you've made it to the coveted SVR status, Michelle! Too cool! Thanks for the kind thoughts, gal. I'm really not too concerned about it; I got SDI disability finally, so some of the financial burden has been lifted- that's been a major stress-kinda-thing. I got through the last Tx on savings and a small IRA I cashed in; but the reserves were starting to get pretty thin. I kind of gave up trying to control my life like I used to; I'm just going along with the flow and looking forward to see what the journey brings next. Thanks again for the good thoughts, it means a lot; and stay in touch,



Bill

[Bill1954]

michelle, you are so beautiful, and lovely, and heavenly....:-)