HCV with Cunnilingus and menstrual blood

[pekica83]

Can you get HCV performing cunnilingus on a girl with menstrual blood? There is a high possibility some of the blood went down the throat. I had no open cuts, how big of a risk is that?    

[willbb]

Looking for symptoms over the internet is the dumbest thing I'm doing to myself all the time.  
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Thats pretty much correct, because as a general rule you will then fit the results of your tests and symptomes into every disease you read about.

I would say your liver enymes are quite high(about 2x normal)

Elevated enzymes like that are a marker telling a physician to run further testing (on a number of things) to see if they can find a cause

[pekica83]

The doctor didn't care he said it could be from soda or some food. I did ABUSE Coke Zero drinking 2l daily for weeks and many times on empty stomach. He told me to stop it and come back in few weeks. Hep C as the root cause I found on the internet and naturally linked it to this one event I had 8 years ago. What are chances HCV is not STI in the first place, she is probably clean and with Cunnilingus being a theoretical risk! I will do HCV antibody test anyways.    

[flyinlynn]

In general hep c is not considered to bea std although for those who are not in a long term managamous relationship and who have multiple sex partners, engage in rough sex practices, or on the presence of hiv there is an increased risk.

There are many reasons for elevated liver enzymes. You should leave the job of diagnosis and determining proper testing to your doctor.
  

[hrsepwrguy]

Hepatitis C Risk –Transmitted via blood-to-blood contact, this illness is harder to acquire from sexual contact. While there is little evidence proving Hepatitis C acquisition through oral sex, a theoretical risk exists if there is any blood present in the giver and receiver. Thus, a risk of transmitting Hepatitis C via cunnilingus, fellatio or analingus exists if there is any menstrual blood, bleeding gums, a throat infection, cold sores, canker sores, genital warts, hemorrhoids or any other breaks in the skin in any involved body structure – vagina, clitoris, labia, penis, testicles, anus, perineum, lips, tongue or anywhere else on the genitalia or inside the mouth.

Experts believe that viral hepatitis is more likely to be transmitted if either the positive or the negative partner has another STD, especially one that causes sores or lesions. Thus, suspicious symptoms should always be checked by a doctor before engaging in oral sex.

http://www.hepatitiscentral.com/mt/archives/2009/10/can_you_get_vir.html

[flyinlynn]

Hep c infected blood must enter the blood stream of an uninfected person. If hep c blood did not enter your blood stream you are likely not at risk.

However the best person to ask would be your doctor as everyone here is a lay person we are not medical professionals. This forum is primerly a support group for those infected with hep c or undergoing treatment.

You could ask the woman if she has hep c. Only about 1% of the US population does. If she does not have hep c you have no risk.

[pekica83]

I will get results in 5 hours. My stress levels right now are unbearable.

[pekica83]

Got results. Negative on Hep B&C. Stressed me out without reason. Never will I again look over the internet for symptoms. Never!

[flyinlynn]

Congrats symptoms can be from many sources continue your follow with your doctor as directed about your liver enzymes.

[mikesimon]

Please don't give up on the internet. There is a lot of good information there - we just need to use it judiciously. Self education is essential these days.

[pekica83]

She doesn't know. She is not a junkie but lives a promiscuous life. Should I get tested or not, taking into account there was blood involved and I probably swallowed some during cunnilingus. Is that low or high risk?

[flyinlynn]

If you read hrsepwrguy’s through response:

“While there is little evidence proving Hepatitis C acquisition through oral sex, a theoretical risk exists if there is any blood present in the giver and receiver. Thus, a risk of transmitting Hepatitis C via cunnilingus, fellatio or analingus exists if there is any menstrual blood, bleeding gums, a throat infection, cold sores, canker sores, genital warts, hemorrhoids or any other breaks in the skin in any involved body structure – vagina, clitoris, labia, penis, testicles, anus, perineum, lips, tongue or anywhere else on the genitalia or inside the mouth.”

You would  see there is a small theoretical risk. There is no way to know unless you are tested.

If you have concerns wait 12 weeks and get tested for hep c antibodies

Then you will know your status instead of guessing.

[pekica83]

This encounter happened 8 years ago. I did test for HIV. With such a small risk I should probably then let it go. I was concerned because of the blood work I had done recently, ALT 70 and AST 55 were little elevated but I was abusing a lot of soda drinks lately so that's probably that. I've done Contrast MRI recently for other reasons and liver was just fine. Looking for symptoms over the internet is the dumbest thing I'm doing to myself all the time.  

[flyinlynn]

You should ask your doctor about the elevated liver enzymes. As far as I know drinking soda does not cause this but fatty liver can.

And if you are worried about possible being infected with hep c ask your doctor about having a hep c antibody test. Knowledge is power. If you find you don’t have hep c you can rest easy. If you should  learn you do the there are new treatments available much better tolerated and with very high cure rates now available.

[mikesimon]

I agree with Flyinlynn. Elevated liver enzymes shouldn't be ignored.

[pekica83]

Ok, guys, I'll test on antibodies tomorrow and let you know the result.

[mikesimon]

Good luck!