Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

Hep C Exposure?

Hi. I bought a sex toy for anal penetration on myself. I assumed it was brand new, but now I'm worried that they might have sent me a reused sex toy. I didn't see any blood, but am still worried I could have contracted hep C.
6 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
20926643 tn?1676406913
Don't worry; the risk of contracting hep C through the use of a sex toy is considered to be low, as the virus does not survive well on inanimate objects. Nevertheless, it's always a good idea to practice safe sex and take precautions to minimize the risk of transmission. If you're still concerned, I recommend reaching out to a healthcare professional for advice and guidance. There's more info on hepatitis as well as necessary medications at https://www.pillpal.to/anti-hepatitis-1789/hepatitis-c. Let us know how it goes!
Helpful - 0
20926643 tn?1676406913
Don't worry; the risk of contracting hep C through the use of a sex toy is considered to be low, as the virus does not survive well on inanimate objects. Nevertheless, it's always a good idea to practice safe sex and take precautions to minimize the risk of transmission. If you're still concerned, I recommend reaching out to a healthcare professional for advice and guidance. There's more info on hepatitis as well as necessary medications at https://www.pillpal.to/anti-hepatitis-1789/hepatitis-c. Let us know how it goes!
Helpful - 0
20926643 tn?1676406913
Don't worry; the risk of contracting hep C through the use of a sex toy is considered to be low, as the virus does not survive well on inanimate objects.
Helpful - 0
683231 tn?1467323017
From WebMD
“How Does Hepatitis C Spread?

Hepatitis C is spread only through exposure to an infected person's blood.

High-risk activities include:

Sharing drug use equipment. Anything involved with injecting street drugs, from syringes, to needles, to tourniquets, can have small amounts of blood on it that can transmit hepatitis C. Pipes and straws to smoke or snort drugs can have blood on them from cracked lips or nosebleeds. Get into a treatment program if you can. At the very least, don't share needles or equipment with anyone else.

Sharing tattoo or piercing tools. Nonsterile items and ink can spread contaminated blood.
Blood transfusions in countries that don’t screen blood for hepatitis C.
Nonsterile medical equipment. Tools that aren’t cleaned properly between use can spread the virus.
Blood or cutting rituals. Sharing the tools or exchanging blood can transmit hepatitis C.
Medium-risk activities include:

Sharing or not disposing of grooming and hygiene supplies. This includes razors, toothbrushes, nail clippers, or anything else that could have your blood on it. Cover any open wounds or sores with bandages. Carefully dispose of tampons, sanitary napkins, tissues, used bandages, and anything else that might have your blood on it.
Unprotected sex. It’s rare, but you can spread and catch it from sex, especially during menstruation or certain sex practices like fisting. It’s more likely you’ll spread it if you have HIV or another sexually transmitted infection.
Pregnancy and birth. There’s a small risk for a mother to pass the disease on to their child before or during birth. The odds go up if the mother has HIV.
Needle-stick injuries. Health care workers and caregivers are most likely to get it this way.

Things that Don’t Spread Hepatitis C

It cannot be spread through:

Coughing
Sneezing
Hugging
Kissing
Breastfeeding (unless nipples are cracked or bleeding)
Sharing utensils or glasses
Casual contact
Sharing food and water
Mosquito or other insect bites
That means everyday contact isn’t risky. The odds of it spreading between people in a household are near zero.

What Are the Chances of Getting Hepatitis C From Sex?

Hepatitis C can spread through sexual intercourse, but it's rare. And it's extremely rare among monogamous couples. In fact, the CDC considers the risk of sexual transmission between monogamous couples so low that it doesn't even recommend using condoms. Also, there's no evidence that hepatitis C is spread by oral sex. But you should avoid sharing razors, toothbrushes, and nail clippers, and sex during menstruation.

If you have HIV or if you have multiple partners, you should take precautions. Using condoms will protect you and your partners.

Who’s at Risk for Hepatitis C?

You might be more likely to get it if you:

Inject or have injected street drugs (even once)
Were born between 1945 and 1965
Got clotting factor concentrates made before 1987
Received a blood transfusion or solid organ transplants before July 1992
Got blood or organs from a donor who tested positive for hepatitis C
Are on dialysis
Are a health care worker who might be exposed to needle sticks
Have an HIV infection
Were born to an infected mother
Are in jail or prison
Use intranasal drugs
Get a body piercing or tattoo with nonsterile instruments

Helpful - 0
683231 tn?1467323017
Why would you even consider it remotely possible they would send you a used sex toy?

That being said hepatitis c infected blood must enter the blood stream on an uninfected person.

Less than 3% of the population has hepatitis c. So you would need one of that very small population to have used the sex toy and then somehow you ended up receiving that particular toy.  Also there would need to be undisturbed blood on the toy and then you would need to cause yourself to bleed.

The odds of you contracting hepatitis c is this manner are infinitesimal.

In the future, you may consider pre leaning personal items before use. As well as fresh fruit and new clothes before wear. Less to worry about that way.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Also, I did not clean the sex toy before use.
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Hepatitis C Community

Top Hepatitis Answerers
317787 tn?1473358451
DC
683231 tn?1467323017
Auburn, WA
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Answer a few simple questions about your Hep C treatment journey.

Those who qualify may receive up to $100 for their time.
Explore More In Our Hep C Learning Center
image description
Learn about this treatable virus.
image description
Getting tested for this viral infection.
image description
3 key steps to getting on treatment.
image description
4 steps to getting on therapy.
image description
What you need to know about Hep C drugs.
image description
How the drugs might affect you.
image description
These tips may up your chances of a cure.
Popular Resources
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Condoms are the most effective way to prevent HIV and STDs.
PrEP is used by people with high risk to prevent HIV infection.