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Hep C transmitted sexually?
Does anyone know of any case where Hep C was transmitted sexually?
Okay...we're clear on then on whether my comment was rooted in me feeling sorry for myself then and yes, I agree. Your answer was compassionate.
As to the sexual transmission of HCV and it's impact on the existing levels of those infected...In Canada the incidence of HCV is apparently 1 in 100. To me, it's like that because we don't screen as a matter of course for it. Most of the people on this board, it seems to me, are finding out that they have HCV all these many years later. For me, having found out just over a year ago, that's just over 20 years of raising my children without knowing to take precautions. My kids went and got tested and I was intensely relieved to know they were clear. That's over 20 years of carrying on my life without knowing my blood was a problem. There may be others out there who have HCV that came from me. I hope I never know. My boyfriend of 6 years was told and he doesn't have it.
If you read the statistics, it is primarily spread through IV drug use and blood transmission. The percentage of sexual transmission has been studied through monitoring the rate of transmission between monogamous couples who have been together for years. That rate of transmission fluctuates between 1% and 5% from what I've read. And out of that 1% to 5%, they don't break it down into how it was transmitted sexually or how they know even but they have put a number on it and I've seen that number used often, so for now I'll accept it. I need to do more reading to understand it better.
I did not, never have, said that this became an epidemic through toothbrushes and razors. It was in a medical study that was ONLY pertaining to the transmission possibilities within families, as the majority of those co-infected were siblings. Do YOU think they were having incestuous sex? (I'm not sure the epidemic word literally applies but I won't nitpick on that one. It's definitely a serious issue and that's a for sure.)
I got mine through either IV drug use or a blood transfusion when my daughter was born. I think that's much more of a common scenario.
The fact that that 1% - 5% figure exists means it's necessary for me to tell potential sexual partners of the risk and I do. It's up to them to decide what they risk and how. Not me. I just know I have to steel myself to deal with the perception that this is a sexually transmitted disease as a matter of course. I find myself educating whomever I tell to various degrees. I didn't know how hard that would hit me mentally to go through that so I did step back from the dating scene for a bit and now I choose to stay away entirely until I'm done tx unless it literally falls into my lap.
I don't think this is a sex disease period, let alone a gay sex disease. Yes, straight AND gay people can get HCV through sex but only if that sex creates a situation where there is blood transmission of some sort. There's very close body contact and the sort of activity from time to time that creates the potential for blood transmission between two people. For you to stop at the point of saying "you can get HCV by having sex'" is irresponsible and perpetuates the misunderstandings and stigma that persons with HCV are already dealing with.
As to the sexual transmission of HCV and it's impact on the existing levels of those infected...In Canada the incidence of HCV is apparently 1 in 100. To me, it's like that because we don't screen as a matter of course for it. Most of the people on this board, it seems to me, are finding out that they have HCV all these many years later. For me, having found out just over a year ago, that's just over 20 years of raising my children without knowing to take precautions. My kids went and got tested and I was intensely relieved to know they were clear. That's over 20 years of carrying on my life without knowing my blood was a problem. There may be others out there who have HCV that came from me. I hope I never know. My boyfriend of 6 years was told and he doesn't have it.
If you read the statistics, it is primarily spread through IV drug use and blood transmission. The percentage of sexual transmission has been studied through monitoring the rate of transmission between monogamous couples who have been together for years. That rate of transmission fluctuates between 1% and 5% from what I've read. And out of that 1% to 5%, they don't break it down into how it was transmitted sexually or how they know even but they have put a number on it and I've seen that number used often, so for now I'll accept it. I need to do more reading to understand it better.
I did not, never have, said that this became an epidemic through toothbrushes and razors. It was in a medical study that was ONLY pertaining to the transmission possibilities within families, as the majority of those co-infected were siblings. Do YOU think they were having incestuous sex? (I'm not sure the epidemic word literally applies but I won't nitpick on that one. It's definitely a serious issue and that's a for sure.)
I got mine through either IV drug use or a blood transfusion when my daughter was born. I think that's much more of a common scenario.
The fact that that 1% - 5% figure exists means it's necessary for me to tell potential sexual partners of the risk and I do. It's up to them to decide what they risk and how. Not me. I just know I have to steel myself to deal with the perception that this is a sexually transmitted disease as a matter of course. I find myself educating whomever I tell to various degrees. I didn't know how hard that would hit me mentally to go through that so I did step back from the dating scene for a bit and now I choose to stay away entirely until I'm done tx unless it literally falls into my lap.
I don't think this is a sex disease period, let alone a gay sex disease. Yes, straight AND gay people can get HCV through sex but only if that sex creates a situation where there is blood transmission of some sort. There's very close body contact and the sort of activity from time to time that creates the potential for blood transmission between two people. For you to stop at the point of saying "you can get HCV by having sex'" is irresponsible and perpetuates the misunderstandings and stigma that persons with HCV are already dealing with.
it put me off of dating for awhile until I could sort out that whole issue of having to tell potential partners and how it impacts me when they react badly or jump to this conclusion and then INSIST they're right and that I'm misguided. I had to step away from that for awhile.
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That is what I based what and I why I said what I said. I don't twist people's words and did NOT think you were feeling sorry for yourself but felt you were expressing a concern of yours and I agreed and understood and answered with compassion because thats me- not out of feeling "sorry" for you. Compassion to me is just putting yourself in someone elses shoes and seeing it from their perspective. And thats what I did.
But anyhow. It can and does spread through sexual transmission and even studies show that.The percentage is what's in question - not IF its possible. Its not a 'gay sex' disease as some would like to lead us to believe. Straight people can - not always - get this thru sex. I mean really do you think that this became an EPIDEMIC thru toothbrushes and razors? Thats funny.
Good night.
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That is what I based what and I why I said what I said. I don't twist people's words and did NOT think you were feeling sorry for yourself but felt you were expressing a concern of yours and I agreed and understood and answered with compassion because thats me- not out of feeling "sorry" for you. Compassion to me is just putting yourself in someone elses shoes and seeing it from their perspective. And thats what I did.
But anyhow. It can and does spread through sexual transmission and even studies show that.The percentage is what's in question - not IF its possible. Its not a 'gay sex' disease as some would like to lead us to believe. Straight people can - not always - get this thru sex. I mean really do you think that this became an EPIDEMIC thru toothbrushes and razors? Thats funny.
Good night.
Please...I'm not feeling sorry for myself. I see you wanting to say that HCV is sexually transmitted, period. With no qualifiers to that. And I think that does people with HCV a great disservice. If you want to take full precautions, I support you in that. You have the right to do what sits well with YOU. But please don't turn that into distorting the facts by saying that HCV is sexually transmitted period. It isn't. The risk of sexual transmission of HCV is only if there is blood present and in such a way that it's able to enter the bloodstream of the other person. Not simply from the act of exchanging bodily fluids period.
It seems you're taking my remarks as if I have a problem with guys who don't want to date a person with HCV. I don't. Once I'd digested that I'm HCV positive and what it means to me, I decided that I would never hold it against a guy who decided that this was just too much risk for him. Everyone decides what they're willing to risk and what they're willing to include in their lives and not me nor anyone has the right to decide that for anyone except themselves. One guy I dated and disclosed to at least did his research. He found conflicting information and in the end, decided that there was too much he didn't know and wasn't willing to risk that. He was honest with me and I respected that. We've remained friends and are very close friends actually and he's one of my biggest supporters. So no...I don't hold such decisions against someone. I'm not actually in agreement with the camp that says if they don't want to be with you then they aren't a decent person to begin with. That's not actually fair to say. Some things are simply too much for some people.
What I get upset with are those who perpetuate the misconception that this is transmitted sexually as a matter of course and INSIST that and play a part in keeping that misconception going. It's just simply not. It wouldn't be any different than someone going around saying that cancer is contagious. Anyone with cancer would be upset by someone perpetuating that as well.
And on that, we'll have to agree to disagree. You seem bent and determined to stick with saying that HCV is transmitted sexually, period. I've had my say and I'll leave it at that.
It seems you're taking my remarks as if I have a problem with guys who don't want to date a person with HCV. I don't. Once I'd digested that I'm HCV positive and what it means to me, I decided that I would never hold it against a guy who decided that this was just too much risk for him. Everyone decides what they're willing to risk and what they're willing to include in their lives and not me nor anyone has the right to decide that for anyone except themselves. One guy I dated and disclosed to at least did his research. He found conflicting information and in the end, decided that there was too much he didn't know and wasn't willing to risk that. He was honest with me and I respected that. We've remained friends and are very close friends actually and he's one of my biggest supporters. So no...I don't hold such decisions against someone. I'm not actually in agreement with the camp that says if they don't want to be with you then they aren't a decent person to begin with. That's not actually fair to say. Some things are simply too much for some people.
What I get upset with are those who perpetuate the misconception that this is transmitted sexually as a matter of course and INSIST that and play a part in keeping that misconception going. It's just simply not. It wouldn't be any different than someone going around saying that cancer is contagious. Anyone with cancer would be upset by someone perpetuating that as well.
And on that, we'll have to agree to disagree. You seem bent and determined to stick with saying that HCV is transmitted sexually, period. I've had my say and I'll leave it at that.
Thanks for posting the article. I read it all. Here's an important part of their article with relation to their findings on interfamilial transmission. I think it's important to keep it in context:
"Regarding interfamilial spread, our data based on genotype confirm the importance of domestic transmission of HCV infection. However, the finding that many of the cases of interfamilial spread involved siblings suggests that shared use of domestic objects (razors and other blades, toothbrushes, etc) may have played a more important role than sexual transmission. "
"Study of interfamilial spreading underscores the importance of non-sexual forms of transmission (blades, toothbrushes, etc). "
"Regarding interfamilial spread, our data based on genotype confirm the importance of domestic transmission of HCV infection. However, the finding that many of the cases of interfamilial spread involved siblings suggests that shared use of domestic objects (razors and other blades, toothbrushes, etc) may have played a more important role than sexual transmission. "
"Study of interfamilial spreading underscores the importance of non-sexual forms of transmission (blades, toothbrushes, etc). "
Okay,,,>Alright Enough< is/was for me. I am tired of talking about it. I'm even tired of hearing myself but I did answer a few more posts and now again I say "alright enough".
You can believe what you want and so can I. I'm not adding to a stigma if thats your worry. I don't tell anyone I have hep so you don't have to concern yourself about that.
But, I can understand the worry and difficulty of being single and having hep C. I really can. And I do honestly feel bad for anyone in that position because of course people will be concerned when you tell them and might not want to date. But any of us (if we weren't infected) would have the same reaction if someone told us they had it.
Now for myself - I am married and so there is no pressure or worry of having to break the news to someone I would meet and possibly date. But my husband and I are in our 50's and at this age, who knows - God forbid something were to happen to my husband. I mean lets face it people drop dead of heart attacks whatever sometimes at this age. I could also find myself in the same position as you, meaning single. What would I do? I'd approach the subject alot different than probably most here. But at this age its a different story - been married, enjoyed it and its not like I have to even get involved with anyone again. I can fill my life with other things - my music and just tra - la - la through life.
And if I really did want to be with another man - to tell you the truth I would probably look for a Hep c dating service - really. I wouldn't want to be bothered with having to explain my disease to anyone or what it means to be SVR when that finally happens - (soon I hope)
So Trish I'm sorry if my view or opinion upset you. I really am. I truly understand how difficult it would be to be single with this disease and all of that. I can see it would be hard. But I always say let the person get to know you well and fall in love and then nothing matters. My husband loves me and even if this was "highly contagious" and was even airborne, he would still love me - not that I'm anything special, but I am to him. I know there are other men like him out there, so don't worry about any of the guys that didn't want to be with you because of hepatitus. The "right man" won't even care one bit that you have hepatitus and hopefully you won't have it anyhow cause you'll be SVR.
You can believe what you want and so can I. I'm not adding to a stigma if thats your worry. I don't tell anyone I have hep so you don't have to concern yourself about that.
But, I can understand the worry and difficulty of being single and having hep C. I really can. And I do honestly feel bad for anyone in that position because of course people will be concerned when you tell them and might not want to date. But any of us (if we weren't infected) would have the same reaction if someone told us they had it.
Now for myself - I am married and so there is no pressure or worry of having to break the news to someone I would meet and possibly date. But my husband and I are in our 50's and at this age, who knows - God forbid something were to happen to my husband. I mean lets face it people drop dead of heart attacks whatever sometimes at this age. I could also find myself in the same position as you, meaning single. What would I do? I'd approach the subject alot different than probably most here. But at this age its a different story - been married, enjoyed it and its not like I have to even get involved with anyone again. I can fill my life with other things - my music and just tra - la - la through life.
And if I really did want to be with another man - to tell you the truth I would probably look for a Hep c dating service - really. I wouldn't want to be bothered with having to explain my disease to anyone or what it means to be SVR when that finally happens - (soon I hope)
So Trish I'm sorry if my view or opinion upset you. I really am. I truly understand how difficult it would be to be single with this disease and all of that. I can see it would be hard. But I always say let the person get to know you well and fall in love and then nothing matters. My husband loves me and even if this was "highly contagious" and was even airborne, he would still love me - not that I'm anything special, but I am to him. I know there are other men like him out there, so don't worry about any of the guys that didn't want to be with you because of hepatitus. The "right man" won't even care one bit that you have hepatitus and hopefully you won't have it anyhow cause you'll be SVR.
http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=1773703
Thought this study was quite interesting.
Reading this really makes me wonder about the whole transmission issue, along with the sexual transmission rates. Def sounds like the slight chance of passing it sexually *could come into play, even in monagamous couples.The % in regards to spontaneous clearance of HCV AFTER it became chronic was a bit encourging though.
What I didn't like was the rate of family household transmissions they came up.
Here's just a short clip from the long article. Well worth the read if you're bored tonite... : )
Ginger
Background: Little is known of the incidence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, and the frequency of spontaneous viral clearance in the general population is unknown. We conducted an epidemiological study in two Apennine towns in northern Italy.
Methods: Anti-HCV (ELISA and RIBA third generation) and HCV-RNA by polymerase chain reaction were tested in thawed sera from an adult general population of Loiano-Monghidoro in 1986 and 1996, obtained in the context of the MICOL (Multicenter Italian Study on Cholelithiasis). In 1999, anti-HCV positive subjects and sex and age matched controls were recalled in order to identify risk factors for acquiring HCV infection and to assess the family composition of anti-HCV+ subjects.
Results: For 1646 subjects, sera were available from both 1986 and 1996 (mean age in 1986 43 (0.39) years). In 1986, 57 (3.46%) subjects were HCV antibody positive (HCV-Ab+). Eight new cases were recorded in 1996: adult incidence was 50.3 cases/100 000 inhabitants/year. Fifty three of 63 (84.1%) HCV-Ab+ sera were also HCV-RNA+. Genotype 2a/2c accounted for 44% and 1b for 47.0% of cases. HCV-Ab+ subjects had higher serum levels of alanine aminotransferase with respect to controls (p<0.005), as did subjects infected with genotype 1 with respect to those with genotype 2 (p<0.05). Eleven of 65 (16.9%) HCV-Ab+ subjects spontaneously cleared HCV-Ab; 7/11 also lost HCV-RNA− in both serum and leucocytes. Sixteen anti-HCV+ subjects belonged to families containing more than one infected member. Married couples accounted for 10 of these 16 subjects. In four of these five married couples, HCV genotype was identical in the two spouses.
Conclusions: In rural northern Italy, the adult incidence of HCV is approximately 50 cases/100 000 inhabitants/year. Our findings suggest that as many as 17% of infected subjects may spontaneously clear HCV-Ab. Interfamilial transmission seems to have a role in the spread of infection.
Thought this study was quite interesting.
Reading this really makes me wonder about the whole transmission issue, along with the sexual transmission rates. Def sounds like the slight chance of passing it sexually *could come into play, even in monagamous couples.The % in regards to spontaneous clearance of HCV AFTER it became chronic was a bit encourging though.
What I didn't like was the rate of family household transmissions they came up.
Here's just a short clip from the long article. Well worth the read if you're bored tonite... : )
Ginger
Background: Little is known of the incidence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, and the frequency of spontaneous viral clearance in the general population is unknown. We conducted an epidemiological study in two Apennine towns in northern Italy.
Methods: Anti-HCV (ELISA and RIBA third generation) and HCV-RNA by polymerase chain reaction were tested in thawed sera from an adult general population of Loiano-Monghidoro in 1986 and 1996, obtained in the context of the MICOL (Multicenter Italian Study on Cholelithiasis). In 1999, anti-HCV positive subjects and sex and age matched controls were recalled in order to identify risk factors for acquiring HCV infection and to assess the family composition of anti-HCV+ subjects.
Results: For 1646 subjects, sera were available from both 1986 and 1996 (mean age in 1986 43 (0.39) years). In 1986, 57 (3.46%) subjects were HCV antibody positive (HCV-Ab+). Eight new cases were recorded in 1996: adult incidence was 50.3 cases/100 000 inhabitants/year. Fifty three of 63 (84.1%) HCV-Ab+ sera were also HCV-RNA+. Genotype 2a/2c accounted for 44% and 1b for 47.0% of cases. HCV-Ab+ subjects had higher serum levels of alanine aminotransferase with respect to controls (p<0.005), as did subjects infected with genotype 1 with respect to those with genotype 2 (p<0.05). Eleven of 65 (16.9%) HCV-Ab+ subjects spontaneously cleared HCV-Ab; 7/11 also lost HCV-RNA− in both serum and leucocytes. Sixteen anti-HCV+ subjects belonged to families containing more than one infected member. Married couples accounted for 10 of these 16 subjects. In four of these five married couples, HCV genotype was identical in the two spouses.
Conclusions: In rural northern Italy, the adult incidence of HCV is approximately 50 cases/100 000 inhabitants/year. Our findings suggest that as many as 17% of infected subjects may spontaneously clear HCV-Ab. Interfamilial transmission seems to have a role in the spread of infection.
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