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Hepatitis C risk of oral sex if have penis cuts
I am 32 gay male Hi all. I don't have often anal sex (and when have it, is protected), I ocasionally had insertive oral sex, and more likely had receptive oral from random guys. More then a year ago I had a receptive oral sex from a guy with unknown status and he made micro sores on my penis catching it with his teeth. I learned that I don't have to worrie about HIV about this exposure, but what is about Hepatitis C? What are the chances to catch it this way?
Yes, you are correct about co-infection with Hep B and Hep C. It can lead to more severe liver disease and an increased risk for progression to liver cancer (HCC). Don't I know it?
Since my hepatitis C is my 'dominant' virus I was treated with peg-IFN and RBV in 2008 but was a nonresponder. I decompensated within 2 years of being diagnosed with compensated cirrhosis and developed HCC (liver cancer) 2 years after decompensating.
Some guys have all the luck. ;-)
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HBV/HCV Co-infection
Management and Treatment
http://www.hepb.org/hepb/hbv_hcv_co-infection_treatment.htm
"Well established treatment guidelines exist for patients with chronic hepatitis B and chronic hepatitis C; however, there is no currently established standard of care for HBV/HCV co-infected patients.
In general, the same treatment criteria should be applied to patients who are HBV/HCV co-infected as are applied to patients only infected with one of the viruses. Initiation of treatment, as with both HBV and HCV mono-infections, is recommended in patients with active chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis prior to decompensation.
Thorough serologic and virologic testing is required in HBV/HCV co-infected patients prior to consideration of treatment.
Assessment of the "dominant" virus is helpful in determining a treatment strategy."
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As far as testing for hepatitis C and other viruses...
The good thing about California and San Francisco is that there are many resources available for person that want to learn about safer sex and there is also free testing for STDs including HIV, Hep B as well as non-STD, Hep C.
I found 13 organizations in SF that provide free hepatitis C antibody testing. And 11 organization that provide free hepatitis A & B vaccinations. Way to go San Francisco! Anyone in California can find resources at the following link.
http://calhep.org/referralguide.asp
I would encourage others who have not been tested for hepatitis (perhaps loved ones or friends) to search for resources that may be available in your state.
Cheers!
Hector
Since my hepatitis C is my 'dominant' virus I was treated with peg-IFN and RBV in 2008 but was a nonresponder. I decompensated within 2 years of being diagnosed with compensated cirrhosis and developed HCC (liver cancer) 2 years after decompensating.
Some guys have all the luck. ;-)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HBV/HCV Co-infection
Management and Treatment
http://www.hepb.org/hepb/hbv_hcv_co-infection_treatment.htm
"Well established treatment guidelines exist for patients with chronic hepatitis B and chronic hepatitis C; however, there is no currently established standard of care for HBV/HCV co-infected patients.
In general, the same treatment criteria should be applied to patients who are HBV/HCV co-infected as are applied to patients only infected with one of the viruses. Initiation of treatment, as with both HBV and HCV mono-infections, is recommended in patients with active chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis prior to decompensation.
Thorough serologic and virologic testing is required in HBV/HCV co-infected patients prior to consideration of treatment.
Assessment of the "dominant" virus is helpful in determining a treatment strategy."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As far as testing for hepatitis C and other viruses...
The good thing about California and San Francisco is that there are many resources available for person that want to learn about safer sex and there is also free testing for STDs including HIV, Hep B as well as non-STD, Hep C.
I found 13 organizations in SF that provide free hepatitis C antibody testing. And 11 organization that provide free hepatitis A & B vaccinations. Way to go San Francisco! Anyone in California can find resources at the following link.
http://calhep.org/referralguide.asp
I would encourage others who have not been tested for hepatitis (perhaps loved ones or friends) to search for resources that may be available in your state.
Cheers!
Hector
Thanks Hector. Also, I read that 34% of the prison population has Hep C. Also, I remember my Doctor mentioning that coninfection with Hep B, can speed up symptoms of Hep C, but I havent read any research on that.
Being 49 yrs old, growing up in The Bay Area, I lost quite a few friends from HIV, in the 80's, and now I have lost a few friends recently, from Hep C.
But we dont have mandatory testing for Hep C. Many people think they have been automatically tested, during there yearly physicals, but that's not done. I guess because the test is expensive~
Being 49 yrs old, growing up in The Bay Area, I lost quite a few friends from HIV, in the 80's, and now I have lost a few friends recently, from Hep C.
But we dont have mandatory testing for Hep C. Many people think they have been automatically tested, during there yearly physicals, but that's not done. I guess because the test is expensive~
Two very good points copyman. Testing periodically always makes sense for those engaged in any sexual practices with multiple partners. As sex with multiple partners is a risk in itself.
Nothing is 100%. Which is why the term 'safer sex' is used rather than 'safe sex'. Practicing safer sex while it greatly lowers the odds of transmission of any STD, is not 100% effective. Neither is any birth control method for that matter.
So periodic testing every 6 months or after a known unsafe encounter is the wise and responsible thing to do both for yourself and others.
Thanks for the reminder, copy.
Hector
Nothing is 100%. Which is why the term 'safer sex' is used rather than 'safe sex'. Practicing safer sex while it greatly lowers the odds of transmission of any STD, is not 100% effective. Neither is any birth control method for that matter.
So periodic testing every 6 months or after a known unsafe encounter is the wise and responsible thing to do both for yourself and others.
Thanks for the reminder, copy.
Hector
Hep C is very common in the gay community. Of course blood to blood is most common means of transmission but no one really knows 100% how HCV is transmitted.
The more sex partners the greater the risk, gay or heterosexual.
If you are having sex with multiple partners then get tested every 6 months.
The more sex partners the greater the risk, gay or heterosexual.
If you are having sex with multiple partners then get tested every 6 months.
I think the point is the more exchange of blood the higher the chance of transmission of hepatitis C because it is solely a blood borne disease unlike HIV and HBV which can be transmitted through body fluids also.
There are at least two different types of "rough sex" practices related to this issue. Though the chance of transmission is very different for each.
1. There is biting, chewing, torturing that is done without involving breaking the skin.
2. Then there is "blood play" which does involve the breaking of skin and blood. The use of gloves, dental damns etc can be used to practice safer sex even when blood is involved. This takes some safer sex education but isn't rocket science either. LOL Obviously any practice that involves blood play has some risk of transmission if the bleeding partner has chronic hepatitis C and if the other partner is also bleeding.
To put it in perspective let's remember that if 4 million people in the US are chronically infected with hepatitis C that is only 1.8 percent of the population. So let's round off and say that 2 people in 100 are infected with hepatitis C. So the actual risk shouldn't be exaggerated by assuming that a large part of the population is infected.
As in all cases, the practice of safer sex will lower the odds of any STD to extremely low levels. Why more people don't practice safer sex is beyond me...? "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."
A correction:
"but we didn't know about Hep C in 1985. First I was told I had Lupus, by my labs, around 1989, and then they called it "Non A, Non B", in 1991. "
Hepatitis could be detected since the early 1970s. It was called "Non A, Non B Hepatitis" (NANBH). In 1987 Chiron, now Novartis (based in Emeryville, CA) and the CDC scientists cloned the virus and named the virus "hepatitis C" to differentiate it from hepatitis A and B and then filed for several patents on the virus and its diagnosis.
1992 widespread screening of the blood supply for hepatitis C began in the United States.
Cheers!
Hector
There are at least two different types of "rough sex" practices related to this issue. Though the chance of transmission is very different for each.
1. There is biting, chewing, torturing that is done without involving breaking the skin.
2. Then there is "blood play" which does involve the breaking of skin and blood. The use of gloves, dental damns etc can be used to practice safer sex even when blood is involved. This takes some safer sex education but isn't rocket science either. LOL Obviously any practice that involves blood play has some risk of transmission if the bleeding partner has chronic hepatitis C and if the other partner is also bleeding.
To put it in perspective let's remember that if 4 million people in the US are chronically infected with hepatitis C that is only 1.8 percent of the population. So let's round off and say that 2 people in 100 are infected with hepatitis C. So the actual risk shouldn't be exaggerated by assuming that a large part of the population is infected.
As in all cases, the practice of safer sex will lower the odds of any STD to extremely low levels. Why more people don't practice safer sex is beyond me...? "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."
A correction:
"but we didn't know about Hep C in 1985. First I was told I had Lupus, by my labs, around 1989, and then they called it "Non A, Non B", in 1991. "
Hepatitis could be detected since the early 1970s. It was called "Non A, Non B Hepatitis" (NANBH). In 1987 Chiron, now Novartis (based in Emeryville, CA) and the CDC scientists cloned the virus and named the virus "hepatitis C" to differentiate it from hepatitis A and B and then filed for several patents on the virus and its diagnosis.
1992 widespread screening of the blood supply for hepatitis C began in the United States.
Cheers!
Hector
I kind of remind myself of that old idiom..."those who cant do, teach", lol~ one of my hep C symptoms is lack of drive...ahhhh Maybe it may come back after tx, who knows : /
This disease robs us of so many things~
This disease robs us of so many things~
Yeah, true dat. Also, I'm wondering if there is a difference with transmission, between the deep blood, and a scratch, etc, because transmission is so low, with Hep C, and sex.
Also, on a different subject all together, the Doctors tell us it's safe to breast-feed, when we have Hep C, but I remember the babies teething, and doing a tad bit of chewing, and my daughter did test negative, for Hep C.
But also, this whole "treatment journey" has had the effect of me going back down "memory lane", back to the 80's. I just remembered, when I was 23 yrs old, before ever experimenting with I.V. drugs, I got biten badly, by a woman, who was an I.V. drug user. It was a puncture wound, and the ambulance came and cleaned it out, but it still got very infected, because human bites contain tons of bacteria, compared to a dog bite. Now I wonder if I may have even gotten my hep C then, because I tested for HIV, at the time, but we didn't know about Hep C in 1985. First I was told I had Lupus, by my labs, around 1989, and then they called it "Non A, Non B", in 1991.
Also, on a different subject all together, the Doctors tell us it's safe to breast-feed, when we have Hep C, but I remember the babies teething, and doing a tad bit of chewing, and my daughter did test negative, for Hep C.
But also, this whole "treatment journey" has had the effect of me going back down "memory lane", back to the 80's. I just remembered, when I was 23 yrs old, before ever experimenting with I.V. drugs, I got biten badly, by a woman, who was an I.V. drug user. It was a puncture wound, and the ambulance came and cleaned it out, but it still got very infected, because human bites contain tons of bacteria, compared to a dog bite. Now I wonder if I may have even gotten my hep C then, because I tested for HIV, at the time, but we didn't know about Hep C in 1985. First I was told I had Lupus, by my labs, around 1989, and then they called it "Non A, Non B", in 1991.
"That guy shouldn't be snagging with his teeth".
Maybe he (the recipient) likes it that way. I.E. "rough sex"?
Hector
Maybe he (the recipient) likes it that way. I.E. "rough sex"?
Hector
I think the Hep C virus is much more resilient than the HIV virus, and 5 times as many people are dying from Hep C, than HIV, at this time.
But most of the people I know, caught the Hep C virus from Needles, or a blood transfusion, that is, people I know personally.
I think if you dont know the person you are having sex with, it might be a good idea to be clean and sober, and the partner also~ The times I've had sex that caused abrasions, was from drunken or meth fueled sessions...long ago, hah.
That guy shouldn't be snagging with his teeth, I've never done that to any of my partners. I went to a therapist when I was younger, which helped me to tone it done, about high risk stuff. I'm just glad I'm old now, without the drive, lol
But most of the people I know, caught the Hep C virus from Needles, or a blood transfusion, that is, people I know personally.
I think if you dont know the person you are having sex with, it might be a good idea to be clean and sober, and the partner also~ The times I've had sex that caused abrasions, was from drunken or meth fueled sessions...long ago, hah.
That guy shouldn't be snagging with his teeth, I've never done that to any of my partners. I went to a therapist when I was younger, which helped me to tone it done, about high risk stuff. I'm just glad I'm old now, without the drive, lol
The risk is low but possible.
Reference material:
http://www.avert.org/oral-sex.htm
"Hepatitis B is contained in sexual fluids and blood and may be transmitted during oral sex."
"What is the risk for transmitting HBV by oral sex?
There are no specific data on transmission of bloodborne viruses through oral-genital sex. Saliva has not been associated with HBV transmission unless biting has taken place. HBV is not spread by kissing, hugging, sneezing, coughing, food or water, sharing eating utensils or drinking glasses, or casual contact."
"Avoid oral sex if you or your partner has herpes, ulcers or bleeding gums. It is unlikely that you will contract hepatitis B through oral sex unless blood is present."
"Transmission from an HIV positive active partner to an HIV negative receptive partner is generally believed to be less common. This is because HIV as well as hepatitis B is normally only present in saliva in very low levels that are not sufficient to cause infection. The only risk in this scenario would be from bleeding wounds or gums in the HIV positive or person with chronic hep B person’s mouth or on their lips, which may transfer blood onto the mucous membranes of the other person’s genitals or anus, or into any cuts or sores they may have.
If worried, get tested for hepatitis B.
Hector
Reference material:
http://www.avert.org/oral-sex.htm
"Hepatitis B is contained in sexual fluids and blood and may be transmitted during oral sex."
"What is the risk for transmitting HBV by oral sex?
There are no specific data on transmission of bloodborne viruses through oral-genital sex. Saliva has not been associated with HBV transmission unless biting has taken place. HBV is not spread by kissing, hugging, sneezing, coughing, food or water, sharing eating utensils or drinking glasses, or casual contact."
"Avoid oral sex if you or your partner has herpes, ulcers or bleeding gums. It is unlikely that you will contract hepatitis B through oral sex unless blood is present."
"Transmission from an HIV positive active partner to an HIV negative receptive partner is generally believed to be less common. This is because HIV as well as hepatitis B is normally only present in saliva in very low levels that are not sufficient to cause infection. The only risk in this scenario would be from bleeding wounds or gums in the HIV positive or person with chronic hep B person’s mouth or on their lips, which may transfer blood onto the mucous membranes of the other person’s genitals or anus, or into any cuts or sores they may have.
If worried, get tested for hepatitis B.
Hector
I agree with other that the risk of being infected by hepatitis C is extremely low. Hepatitis C is not a STD.
"I learned that I don't have to worrie about HIV about this exposure". While the result is only theoretical you where at risk for transmission of HIV and your partner was definitively at risk.
"Oral-Penile Contact (fellatio)
Risk is classified as either being "documented" (transmission that has actually occurred, been investigated, and documented in the scientific literature) or "theoretical" (passing an infection from one person to another is possible).
Theoretical Risk:
With fellatio, there is a theoretical risk of transmission for the receptive partner because infected pre-ejaculate ("pre-***") fluid or semen can get into the mouth.
For the insertive partner there is a theoretical risk of infection because infected blood from a partner's bleeding gums or an open sore could come in contact with a scratch, cut, or sore on the penis.
Documented Risk:
Although the risk is many times less than anal or vaginal sex, HIV has been transmitted to receptive partners through fellatio, even in cases when insertive partners didn't ejaculate."
Have you thought of STDs you could get or give by not practicing safe sex?
Practice safe sex and you will have nothing to worry about.
Hector
"I learned that I don't have to worrie about HIV about this exposure". While the result is only theoretical you where at risk for transmission of HIV and your partner was definitively at risk.
"Oral-Penile Contact (fellatio)
Risk is classified as either being "documented" (transmission that has actually occurred, been investigated, and documented in the scientific literature) or "theoretical" (passing an infection from one person to another is possible).
Theoretical Risk:
With fellatio, there is a theoretical risk of transmission for the receptive partner because infected pre-ejaculate ("pre-***") fluid or semen can get into the mouth.
For the insertive partner there is a theoretical risk of infection because infected blood from a partner's bleeding gums or an open sore could come in contact with a scratch, cut, or sore on the penis.
Documented Risk:
Although the risk is many times less than anal or vaginal sex, HIV has been transmitted to receptive partners through fellatio, even in cases when insertive partners didn't ejaculate."
Have you thought of STDs you could get or give by not practicing safe sex?
Practice safe sex and you will have nothing to worry about.
Hector
No one here can tell you what your percentage of risk is. If you are worried, you should get tested.
Hepatitis C is spread blood to blood. His blood would have to get into your blood stream in order for you to catch Hep C from him (if he had it). Unless the other guy had bleeding sores or cuts in his mouth AND your penis had open bleeding sores or cuts on it, you probably have nothing to worry about. In other words, you both have to be bleeding.
"Can Hepatitis C be spread through sexual contact?"
"Yes, but the risk of transmission from sexual contact is believed to be low. The risk increases for those who have multiple sex partners, have a sexually transmitted disease, engage in rough sex, or are infected with HIV. More research is needed to better understand how and when Hepatitis C can be spread through sexual contact."
http://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/C/cFAQ.htm#
If I were you, I would be more concerned about getting Hepatitis B through the sex act that you described. To ease your mind, if I were you, I would get tested for Hep B, Hep C, and HIV. In addition, it would be a good idea to be tested for sexually transmitted disease.
"Can Hepatitis C be spread through sexual contact?"
"Yes, but the risk of transmission from sexual contact is believed to be low. The risk increases for those who have multiple sex partners, have a sexually transmitted disease, engage in rough sex, or are infected with HIV. More research is needed to better understand how and when Hepatitis C can be spread through sexual contact."
http://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/C/cFAQ.htm#
If I were you, I would be more concerned about getting Hepatitis B through the sex act that you described. To ease your mind, if I were you, I would get tested for Hep B, Hep C, and HIV. In addition, it would be a good idea to be tested for sexually transmitted disease.
So, you think it's not very common ,and the risk could be close to zero?..So, I shouldn't worry about this much?....
There are no known cases of HCV being transmitted through
oral sex on a man (fellatio) or a woman (cunnilingus).
However, it is theoretically possible that the virus could
be transmitted this way if a person has mouth sores,
bleeding gums, or a throat infection.
http://www.hcvadvocate.org/hepatitis/factsheets_pdf/Sexual%20Transmission%20of%20HCV.pdf#search=
oral sex on a man (fellatio) or a woman (cunnilingus).
However, it is theoretically possible that the virus could
be transmitted this way if a person has mouth sores,
bleeding gums, or a throat infection.
http://www.hcvadvocate.org/hepatitis/factsheets_pdf/Sexual%20Transmission%20of%20HCV.pdf#search=
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