Hi; my husband was diagnostic with hepatitis C four months ago

[ruth1175]

I just want to get more information about his disease,its been really hard for both of us
I was negative on hepatitis C so its been devastating for us we don't touch each other that much,we don't have sex at all its super hard we been 12 years together and this mark our lives.I just want some help

[flyinlynn]

Hep c for long term  monogamous couples is not considered to be an STD by the Center for disease control.   In fact the CDC does not suggest the use of barrier protection for such couples. There have been many people here on this forum where one partner has hepatitis C and the other does not.

Is he seeing a doctor to obtain treatment for hepatitis C? With the new meds available over the last several years hepatitis C is almost 100% curable.

His treatment could be as  simple as one pill a day for a few hours eight weeks and he could be cured.

Before the new medicines were approved over the last several years I had hepatitis C for 37 years. I treated with the old medicines that were less effective on three separate occasions but none of them worked. Three years ago I treated with one of the new medicines and I am now cured of hepatitis C.

He should speak with his doctor about the new medicines like Harvoni, Epclusa, or Mavyret. Then get treated and cured of hep c.

My best to you both

[flyinlynn]

From the Mayo Clinic

“For monogamous couples, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) doesn't recommend routine condom use to prevent hepatitis C transmission. But couples should avoid sharing razors, toothbrushes and nail clippers, and should also avoid having intercourse during menstruation.

Your risk of contracting hepatitis C increases significantly if you have HIV. Also, the risk of transmission is higher if you have multiple short-term sexual relationships with partners who have hepatitis C. Under these circumstances, the CDC recommends routine condom use to reduce your risk of transmission.”

[flyinlynn]

From the University of Washington Seattle medical center:

“SEXUAL TRANSMISSION OF HCV

PERSONS AT RISK
Transmission of hepatitis C virus (HCV) through heterosexual contact appears to be uncommon, with early studies showing transmission among long-term monogamous heterosexual partners occurring in less than 1% of couples per year.[1,2,3,4] In a more recent large cross-sectional study of persons with HCV and their partners, investigators estimated a maximum incidence rate of 0.07% per year among monogamous heterosexual couples, which corresponded to approximately one transmission per 190,000 sexual contacts.[5] This risk increases slightly among persons who have multiple sex partners.[6] Multiple reports have identified clusters of acute hepatitis C infection among men who have sex with men (MSM), primarily MSM who are also coinfected with HIV.[7,8,9,10,11] When comparing the risk among MSM with or without HIV infection, the risk is significantly higher among MSM with HIV infection.[12] Recent cohort studies have also shown a high rate of HCV reinfection among MSM living with HIV, with risk of reinfection associated with ongoing sexual practices and/or injection drug use.[13,14,15]

FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH INCREASED RISK OF SEXUAL TRANSMISSION
For heterosexuals, having multiple sex partners has been associated with an increased risk of HCV acquisition.[6] Investigators have identified multiple risk factors associated with sexual transmission of HCV among MSM:[12]

Coinfection with HIV
Unprotected anal intercourse, especially as the receptive partner
Inconsistent condom use
Use of recreational drugs, particularly use of drugs during sex
Recent or concurrent sexually transmitted infections, especially ulcerative sexually transmitted diseases (lymphogranuloma venereum proctitis, syphilis)
Multiple casual or anonymous sex partners
Group sex
Certain sex practices that result in rectal bleeding or damage to the rectal mucosa, including fisting and use of shared sex toys.”