To Tell or Not to Tell,...

[m_strings]

The thread posted by Scared125 spurred another question.  It seems the CDC as well as my general practitioner consider Hep C to be an STD, even though it's rare to catch it this way.  Therefore, if I had Hep C for 23 years, my thoughts are that I should tell anyone I was sexually intimate with prior to my marriage and within that 23-year period.  My doctor also thought it was a good idea.  This could be prove to be a humbling and embarrassing experience.  I'm not thrilled about telling other people, esp. the ex's, that I have this diagnosis.  On the other hand, don't the people we have been with deserve to know if they might have been exposed?  I'm curious as to your thoughts and how others have chosen to deal with this.  There are no right or wrong answers.  

[Trinity4]

My doctor never told me to tell.  HepC is NOT considered an STD.  HepB is.  Many GP's are misinformed as is the case with yours.  No one I have been involved with previously other than myself has the virus.  Family member, ex's or otherwise.  If the CDC thought it was necessary it would be required by law to disclose.
Ethically, it you feel it's correct to do so than by all means you should.  I can't remember back that far and my efforts need to be focused on treatment and getting through it rather than informing ex-lovers of the remote possibility of exposure.
Trinity

[Trinity4]

My doctor never told me to tell.  HepC is NOT considered an STD.  HepB is.  Many GP's are misinformed as is the case with yours.  No one I have been involved with previously other than myself has the virus.  Family member, ex's or otherwise.  If the CDC thought it was necessary it would be required by law to disclose.
Ethically, it you feel it's correct to do so than by all means you should.  I can't remember back that far and my efforts need to be focused on treatment and getting through it rather than informing ex-lovers of the remote possibility of exposure.
Trinity

[jmjm530]

I think you have to use a little common sense here. Sure, if upon hearing your diagnosis, you are living/dating someone and may have shared personal items, or recently had unprotected sex with someone -- then the right thing would be to let them know. On the other hand, to make herculean efforts to contact every sexual partner going back perhaps 10,20,30 or 40 years is unrealistic and could be construed as somewhat intrusive re the privacy of others. Hopefully people will take it upon themselves to take whatever tests they feel are necessary given their sexual and other behavior, including testing for HIV, HCV, etc, etc. They really shouldn't need a call from someone they had a one-night stand with ten years ago! YMMV.

-- Jim

[nygirl7]

Would you want someone to tell you the truth or would you prefer they just hide the fact that could potentially affect you?

That is why I told, right away. I don't feel you have to tell the entire world but that you should be honest with your partner. It could affect them via their health or should you decide to choose.

But that's just me.

[nygirl7]

PS I wouldn't track down everyone you ever had sex with though at this late date but if they came to YOU and asked I'd admit it...but believe me in New York they DO notify the CDC and your name goes on a list.  Not sure what state you are in but I know that they were notified when I was diagnosed.

Hard question but up to each individual to decide.

Good luck.

[jdwithhcv]

I wondered about this when I first got the news.  After much thought I realized there was one person I really felt conscience-bound to tell.  

Its a tough decision to make.  Best of luck to you.

jd

[can-do-man]

After close to 30 years of being married, whats sex??? Heck i can't remember things 30 minutes ago, so no way i could go back to 30 years ago. Besides i could only imagine the talk around those dinner tables.... YIKES

Serious though after 30 years my wife does not have HCV, sometimes it just best to let sleeping dogs lay....... But one must do what they feel best.

Best to you m_strings

[m_strings]

Ha Ha!  Too funny Can-Do Man!  

Okay, I just have a second to respond and will post more later.  The STD question now has me perplexed.  I have emailed the CDC to find out what their actual take is on this.  It's not really crystal clear, is it?  Hmm.  

Thank you all for the input!  Interesting discussion.  Lots to think about.  

[jmjm530]

They are clear. It's not on their list of STDs.
The list is on their site here  : http://www.cdc.gov/STD/

[nygirl7]

Bwah I haven't had a date since a month after I was diagnosed........you wanna tell ME some things I don't know?  ;)

[jankar]

If you got Hep C through IV drug use and you still know some of the people you were with at the time, you need to tell them if they do not already know.  Morally, I think that is the best thing.  You need to tell potential sexual partners and family but other than that, no.  It may be considered an STD but unless you think someone was at risk, I don't think it is necessary as transmission is rare.

[portann]

HCV is NOT on the current 2009 STD list. (The link M-strings provided above is from 2002.)

I went to Jim's link http://www.cdc.gov/STD/ , where there's a direct HCV link on his cited page:

http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/hepc_ez/index.htm

It says:

"You could get hepatitis C by sharing drug needles
getting pricked with a needle that has infected blood on it (hospital workers can get hepatitis C this way)
having sex with an infected person, especially if you or your partner has other sexually transmitted diseases
being born to a mother with hepatitis C"

It's from the National Digestive Diseases Disorders Clearinghouse. I want to bring this to your attention because although I consider it misinformation or at least mentioned out of context, it's there, in black and white. (I didn't check the date it was last reviewed.)

Like many here, I consider the possibility of sexual transmission almost nil and that only traumatic sex is risky. If I had to contact someone from my past, it would be my  college roomies from forty years ago because we shared toothbrushes and razors as an economy measure. They haven't contacted me.

My hepatologist thinks the possibility of sexual transmission is a non-issue, except in the case of traumatic sex. Has anyone here under the care of an up-to-date specialist heard different?

[portann]

Sorry, the outdated 2002 STD link I mentioned in my post above was cited in Scared's link, not in this one:

http://www.cdc.gov/STD/treatment/SumCont.htm

It's quite interesting to see HCV listed as an STD in 2002 because my hepatologist never considered it an STD. I agree with the shift in thinking but wonder how it got on the list to begin with.

[can-do-man]

My hepo thinks its a non-issue, he doesn't even recommend those things we used to fill with water and toss over balconies.

can

[Rockerforlife]

Answer this question honestly.....

Would you sleep with someone, who you know had hep C, without no protection?

i think not

[portann]

Rocker, Rocker, Rocker,

Many of your closest pals here on the forum have unprotected sex ALL the time, which is not to say we have sex all the time but that whenever we have sex, it's unprotected.

Right, Can-do?

[CoWriter]

If it's a long term, serious relationship (in other words if he's not sleeping around) and that's all he has, then yes.

Co

[Rockerforlife]

Im not talkn bout your current lover of lovers...i meant someone new...i know the odds are low...but for my peace of mind...i would have have protection...i just dont want to go tru all this again

[CMcH]

I have been married for 13 years and my husband & kids do not have it. I also know other couples where one has it and the other does not. I would not consider it an STD nor have I ever heard of that before.
If someone has shared needles then I think it would be a good idea.

[Rockerforlife]

Maybe im being overly cautious...isnt it ironic tho that you can have sex and pound away at each others bodies for hours with someone and not contract Hepc BUT...go to the wshroom and use the persons toothbrush or razor and boom...your have it...seems odd...

[copyman]

why put yourself through more agony by trying to seek out ex-sex partners to tell them.  With the chances so small that you gave them HCV why invade someones life and ruin it for them. keep it to yourself except for your current partner/roomate. good luck

[joannatsf]

The CDC does consider HCV an STD.  Most other countries, Australia and the UK for example, do not.  I had HCV for 20 years before I was diagnosed in 1993.  Of the partners I'm still incontact with none has contracted it.

The virus is bloodborne which means the infected persons blood needs to come in contact with the recipient's.  Sex doesn't usually result in wounds to the participents.  Bareback anal intercourse could be a problem but in straight PIV sex transmission is highly unlikely.

[m_strings]

Yeah, that is ironic.  I wonder if there is anyone on these boards who has a partner who they think DID get it from sexual contact.  I haven't heard of any personal stories to date.  Interesting.

[fretboard]

An honorable thought, for sure.  Although nobody wants to infect anyone else, to go and do a complete sexual inventory sounds very 12 step to me.lol  Besides, I truly believe anyone I slept with or shared implements of destruction with already knows I'm infected as I live in a fairly small town.  I personally use the 9th step as my guide or spiritual compass so to speak and I trust that if I brought back memories, it would do more harm than good.  

9. Made direct amends to such persons whenever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.