I cannot imagine hep C being transmitted through lesbian sex if you simply keep in mind that hep C is transmitted blood-to-blood. The classic transmission rout is from blood transfusion from an infected person and sharing needles with an infected person either through IV drug use or inadvertently through unsterile medical or dental practices.
Couldn't of said it better myself....
I did get on the website Bill mentioned and it is a wealth of information. And you are correct in your thinking about her honesty. I am sure it is not easy to divulge such information, especially so early into a relationship. We should get her results by Wed. so I may be back with more questions. Thanks so much for all of your help.
"For your partner’s sake, I hope her test is negative; if not, have her stop by in here; we can help her navigate the maize of options."
Yep, it's a veritable corncob-ucopia of them these days, isn't it Bill. ;->
Angie, Bill's got great words for you, nothing to add whatsoever. Good luck to both of you.
No problem; don't mention it :). Take a look and let us know how everything works out. She shared this news with you; that bodes well for her honesty... it's a good sign :).
Take care,
Bill
Thanks tremendously for your quick response and I am definitely going to check out the website. This is all so confusing, but I am willing to learn and accept her regardless. It's just of a part of her, not all of her. Thanks for any more information.
Scroll through this site if you like; and see what you can learn from it--
http://janis7hepc.com/sex_and_hcv.htm
Sexual transmission is unusual as hep C is spread via blood. It is of course, possible.
A viral load shows how much virus is in the blood.
I know there are others here who can answer your questions better than I.
Try doing a search as these topics have been covered before.
OH
Hi Angie,
Wow, there’s a lot to explain. The most important thing to remember is that if your friend doesn’t have a viral load, she doesn’t have Hep C (HCV). Viral load is a measure of HCV RNA, the active, live virus; without this, even if she remains antibody positive, she can’t infect anyone.
Even if she is RNA positive, the likelihood of you contracting it from her either sexually or from casual contact is extremely low. Hep C isn’t considered a classic STD, despite public belief to the contrary.
Many of us have partners that are HCV discordant; that is, one partner is infected, and one that isn’t. I was married for nearly twenty years, infected the entire time, and my now ex continues to test negative for virus.
For your partner’s sake, I hope her test is negative; if not, have her stop by in here; we can help her navigate the maize of options.
Be sure to have her doctor review her condition, and explain the difference between being antibody positive (or negative) and RNA positive; there’s a big difference.
If she *does* have a viral load, avoid sharing razors, toothbrushes, etc; HCV is transmitted by blood-to blood contact.
Best to you both—
Bill