sexually transmitting HepC

[ram921]

  I've been told from the beginning that HepC is not a sexually transmitted disease, but blood-to blood. My significant other believes otherwise, much because her obgyn and other doctors recoil in horror when she tells them of our unprotected sex. We are long-term monogamous, and do not participate in any high-risk behavior. I've had Hepc for at least 10 years, and haven't given it to her. I respect her feelings, but feel her fear is unfounded.  I believe the whole business has driven a wedge between us, but my feelings are invalid because I am the one with the illness, but that's another issue.

[Odin999]

One more thing. I wonder why you feel that her fear is unfounded? Not being accusative here. Just wondering because personally I have never felt someone else's fear of catching HCV was unreasonable.

[Odin999]

Has her concern been precipitated by anything in particular? Have you just been diagnosed, or has she developed an extra condition that changes the situation? Either way, a chat with the right kind of expert cannot be a bad thing. Do you have a Hep C support group that can give advice?

I had one partner who was concerned about transmission. A trip to the local sexual health clinic quickly cleared up the fear. I gave all the information that I could and then said now here is where you can go to get independent confirmation if you want to. I said, "don't just believe me, find out for yourself so that you feel really comfortable."

[Trish77]

I have long found that the Australian sites explain this best, in nice plain language.  Maybe because, as one of my Aussie friends tells me, they're less uptight about sex there, I dunno.
  
http://www.hepatitisaustralia.com/about_hepatitis/relationships.html

This can be a tough issue for some people to sort out for themselves.  Your wife has to feel safe and she doesn't right now.  So maybe you're going to have to put in the time to dig up the *right* information from reputable sources that actually deal with Hepatitis C, not ob-gyn's who don't specialize in it....and be patient...give her time to get informed.  Put in your time and be patient...and hopefully after SHE'S had the same opportunity you've had to get educated, she'll settle out.  

Also try and think if the shoe was on the other foot ... you'd want to be very clear on your risks, I'm thinking and you might opt for "alternatives" until you can sort it out for yourself as well.

Good luck.

Trish

[ram921]

Not "Dismissing". Suggested solutions, sought council from mutually respected sources. Careful about jumping to conclusions, please. My response isn't remotely, "Don't worry , Honey." It's more like, "What would make you comfortable?" But thanks for the 'lame' point of view, speaking of respect.

[FlGuy]

Dismissing someone's fear of anything by just saying it's unfounded is not dealing with the issue that the person has.  "...obgyn and other doctors recoil in horror " - look at the response that she gets from medical professionals she probably respects. Now, compare those to your response which is basically '"don't worry honey".  Sounds pretty lame in comparison, regardless of the truth.  You need to deal with the entire issue before it gets larger.  Are you really 'respecting her feelings' and dealing with the fears she has which are real to her?

[eureka254]

It's not unusual for even those in the medical field to lack knowledge about the specifics of hep c -- sorry to hear that you're suffering from the fallout of ignorance.  Perhaps you could encourage her to go with your to your GI/Hep doc visits to alleviate her fears?  Or, maybe printing up some research/data for your spouse would help? (for some, seeing is  believing ...maybe just leave the article 'laying around'...):

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15128350

From the Amercian Journal on Gastroenterology, 2005:

"Our data indicate that the risk of sexual transmission of HCV within heterosexual monogamous couples is extremely low or even null. No general recommendations for condom use seem required for individuals in monogamous partnerships with HCV-infected partners."

Hope that helps...
~eureka