Aa
I just lucked up on this website and would like to say hi to everyone
I found out about my HCV one year ago. I was devastated for a while -feeling like my life was over. I contracted HCV from sexual transmission - an exboyfriend and a real *******! you know, I feel that the medical profession dont really stress the importance of getting HCV thru sexual contact. I finally realized that life goes on. I recently met the really, what appears to be, nice guy, and I don't want to just come out and tell him that I have HCV. I'm defiitely going to wait awhile. and sex is the last thing on my mind, especially with HCV.
If you attained HepC from having sex then you are in a very small percentile as it's not considered a sexually transmitted disease. With that said, it does happen and it's terribly unfortunate when it does. Just because you have HepC doesn't preclude you from having sex, the transfer is very small. Have your boy friend wear a condom, if you're both concerned. Being positive is one thing, but going without because of it, is not necessary. Go to this website and read about it. God Bless
http://cdc.gov/nchstp/dstd/disease_info.htm
http://cdc.gov/nchstp/dstd/disease_info.htm
Mary - welcome to the forum.
I would like to think that the studies that have been done on Monogamous couples - which were pretty in-depth - were accurate.
It's not that HCV is not passed sexually - it can be passed sexually... HOWEVER, it must be blood to blood contact. In other words - the infected party must be bleeding --- and the uninfected person must have an actively bleeding wound or opening that is sucking blood back into the circulation.
It doesn't seem to be passed via menstrual blood - at this point --- in studies that have been listed.
It is vertically transmitted (birth mother to child) only 5 percent of the time.
Now - with that knowledge - which you can find at the CDC and other website including Janis and Friends (one of the best informative sites around) --- and this forum for discussion --- I am very loathe to say that HCV is a sexually transmitted disease.
HEP B and HEP A are easily transmitted through bodily fluids --- but HEP C is only through blood interaction.
You will find that most of the cases of HCV contamination or infection (whichever sounds best to your ears) are with people who have had:
Surgeries
IV Drug usage
Dental Care
Blood Transfusions
Gamma Globulin Shots
Have a tattoo from a place that did not use sterile procedures
Or were at a hospital, medical center, immunization center that did not practice sterile injection procedures.
I have YET to read a report of anyone who had gotten HCV from your common garden variety sex.
I have heard of individuals who did get HCV due to ROUGH SEX - VIOLENT RAPE and ROUGH ANAL SEX and with people who BOTH have OPEN Sores or wounds in the genital areas at the same time that actively are bleeding.
I have NEVER heard of a monogamous couple who had normal, every day sex --- passing the HEP C virus to one another.
Now --- with that said ---- It's not impossible... But unlikely. OK?
And one of the MAIN reasons I stress this is because I was HCV free 1992 through 1995 --- had multiple shots of gamma globulin for my pregnancy in 1995-1996 and was diagnosed with HCV in 2006 ---- with NO other real possible transmission routes --- and with a very obvious, but unrealized acute phase during my 2nd trimester.
Now --- again --- with all of that said... The MAIN reason I am LOATHE to say HCV is passed sexually...
Is because my husband (recently divorced) never "caught" HEP C from me...
He and I had pretty regular sex for a married couple --- LOL --- what I like to term as "wild monkey sex" --- in other words - everything was ok --- yanno --- what married couples do...
I haven't met anyone on here --- on this forum --- whose spouse has caught the HEP C virus (same genotype) from them.
I also had sex with my husband during monthly cycles (for us it wasn't a big deal - for some folks it's not for them... anyhow I use this as an example to show you that if it was contagious via just sex or through menstrual blood - my husband would have HEP C --- and he does not) AND during that time frame he also had what is called a Prince Albert piercing (which is a piercing on the penis area).
So - I do not believe in my heart that HEP C can be casually passed through normal sexual activity.
OK --- so with all that said --- that leaves you wondering just exactly where you may have gotten it.
Well - it could be sex... Did your ex have the same genotype that you do?
Also --- you say he was a jerk --- was there any abuse? Did he hurt you and make you bleed?
Did he kiss you when you had open sores?
Did you have dental work performed?
Did you do IV drugs?
Were you ever a health care worker and possibly get stuck with a needle?
Did you have any immunizations at a place that might have not used sterile practices?
Do you have a tattoo?
I mean --- there are a zillion variables --- and I don't want you sitting there blaming SEX ---- or yourself --- for something that may have just occurred at any point in your life.
Sex is a very important part of who we are as humans - and I would hate for you to define your life --- define your sexual "ness" as a horrid experience that caused a disease...
I don't know if that makes sense --- but I just had to say it to you.
Now as far as education goes --- you've come to the right place.
As far as understanding what you're going through --- well --- WE ALL UNDERSTAND.
Take your time and read through the forum --- I generally tell folks to do a read of about 3 months past...
It takes a couple of days --- and a ton of coffee but it is pretty interesting.
Also - check out Janis and Friends --- HCV Advocate - and a couple of other places.
Don't be afraid to ask questions - that's what a lot of us are here for... We have a lot of discussions.
Some of us are opinionated... LOL!
Some of us are "old timers" and some are newbies...
Some of us have harsh - in your face personalities --- some are more subtle and calm --- and some are argumentative --- some are loving --- some are happy - some grumpy --- but ABOVE EVERYTHING --- even the squabbles --- WE ARE A FAMILY UNIT.
We are a group of folks that have been brought here together because of a common bond.
It isn't a great bond.... LOL -- HEP C...
But it is what brings us here.
We are a great group --- and it is VERY NICE TO MEET you!
I hope that you can find the strength that you will need and the information you will need to keep your head up --- your life strong --- and to be able to help others ---- cause we could use all the help we can get.
About your new boyfriend --- friend... Hmmmm...
I'm all about telling folks --- I tell them straight up --- and even people I hardly know...
I talk to a lot of people in my work --- and in my community.
I believe (and this is just me --- so if it helps you ok ---- but you do NOT have to agree with me) that it is important that we put a face to HEPATITIS C --- that we teach the world one person at a time about what HEP C really is --- and how it affects us.
Because it really does affect us.
And the more knowledge that the world has about HEP C --- the more research --- more money ---and more cures that can be found.
And the most important thing for me.... THE STIGMA of HEP C...
As being a "DIRTY THING"
A DIRTY SECRET...
Can be laid to rest.
Because this disease is a KILLER - make no mistake about that.
But - everyone who has this disease --- not a damn one of them asked for it.
So - welcome to MED HELP FORUMS -- and nice to meetcha!
Meki
I would like to think that the studies that have been done on Monogamous couples - which were pretty in-depth - were accurate.
It's not that HCV is not passed sexually - it can be passed sexually... HOWEVER, it must be blood to blood contact. In other words - the infected party must be bleeding --- and the uninfected person must have an actively bleeding wound or opening that is sucking blood back into the circulation.
It doesn't seem to be passed via menstrual blood - at this point --- in studies that have been listed.
It is vertically transmitted (birth mother to child) only 5 percent of the time.
Now - with that knowledge - which you can find at the CDC and other website including Janis and Friends (one of the best informative sites around) --- and this forum for discussion --- I am very loathe to say that HCV is a sexually transmitted disease.
HEP B and HEP A are easily transmitted through bodily fluids --- but HEP C is only through blood interaction.
You will find that most of the cases of HCV contamination or infection (whichever sounds best to your ears) are with people who have had:
Surgeries
IV Drug usage
Dental Care
Blood Transfusions
Gamma Globulin Shots
Have a tattoo from a place that did not use sterile procedures
Or were at a hospital, medical center, immunization center that did not practice sterile injection procedures.
I have YET to read a report of anyone who had gotten HCV from your common garden variety sex.
I have heard of individuals who did get HCV due to ROUGH SEX - VIOLENT RAPE and ROUGH ANAL SEX and with people who BOTH have OPEN Sores or wounds in the genital areas at the same time that actively are bleeding.
I have NEVER heard of a monogamous couple who had normal, every day sex --- passing the HEP C virus to one another.
Now --- with that said ---- It's not impossible... But unlikely. OK?
And one of the MAIN reasons I stress this is because I was HCV free 1992 through 1995 --- had multiple shots of gamma globulin for my pregnancy in 1995-1996 and was diagnosed with HCV in 2006 ---- with NO other real possible transmission routes --- and with a very obvious, but unrealized acute phase during my 2nd trimester.
Now --- again --- with all of that said... The MAIN reason I am LOATHE to say HCV is passed sexually...
Is because my husband (recently divorced) never "caught" HEP C from me...
He and I had pretty regular sex for a married couple --- LOL --- what I like to term as "wild monkey sex" --- in other words - everything was ok --- yanno --- what married couples do...
I haven't met anyone on here --- on this forum --- whose spouse has caught the HEP C virus (same genotype) from them.
I also had sex with my husband during monthly cycles (for us it wasn't a big deal - for some folks it's not for them... anyhow I use this as an example to show you that if it was contagious via just sex or through menstrual blood - my husband would have HEP C --- and he does not) AND during that time frame he also had what is called a Prince Albert piercing (which is a piercing on the penis area).
So - I do not believe in my heart that HEP C can be casually passed through normal sexual activity.
OK --- so with all that said --- that leaves you wondering just exactly where you may have gotten it.
Well - it could be sex... Did your ex have the same genotype that you do?
Also --- you say he was a jerk --- was there any abuse? Did he hurt you and make you bleed?
Did he kiss you when you had open sores?
Did you have dental work performed?
Did you do IV drugs?
Were you ever a health care worker and possibly get stuck with a needle?
Did you have any immunizations at a place that might have not used sterile practices?
Do you have a tattoo?
I mean --- there are a zillion variables --- and I don't want you sitting there blaming SEX ---- or yourself --- for something that may have just occurred at any point in your life.
Sex is a very important part of who we are as humans - and I would hate for you to define your life --- define your sexual "ness" as a horrid experience that caused a disease...
I don't know if that makes sense --- but I just had to say it to you.
Now as far as education goes --- you've come to the right place.
As far as understanding what you're going through --- well --- WE ALL UNDERSTAND.
Take your time and read through the forum --- I generally tell folks to do a read of about 3 months past...
It takes a couple of days --- and a ton of coffee but it is pretty interesting.
Also - check out Janis and Friends --- HCV Advocate - and a couple of other places.
Don't be afraid to ask questions - that's what a lot of us are here for... We have a lot of discussions.
Some of us are opinionated... LOL!
Some of us are "old timers" and some are newbies...
Some of us have harsh - in your face personalities --- some are more subtle and calm --- and some are argumentative --- some are loving --- some are happy - some grumpy --- but ABOVE EVERYTHING --- even the squabbles --- WE ARE A FAMILY UNIT.
We are a group of folks that have been brought here together because of a common bond.
It isn't a great bond.... LOL -- HEP C...
But it is what brings us here.
We are a great group --- and it is VERY NICE TO MEET you!
I hope that you can find the strength that you will need and the information you will need to keep your head up --- your life strong --- and to be able to help others ---- cause we could use all the help we can get.
About your new boyfriend --- friend... Hmmmm...
I'm all about telling folks --- I tell them straight up --- and even people I hardly know...
I talk to a lot of people in my work --- and in my community.
I believe (and this is just me --- so if it helps you ok ---- but you do NOT have to agree with me) that it is important that we put a face to HEPATITIS C --- that we teach the world one person at a time about what HEP C really is --- and how it affects us.
Because it really does affect us.
And the more knowledge that the world has about HEP C --- the more research --- more money ---and more cures that can be found.
And the most important thing for me.... THE STIGMA of HEP C...
As being a "DIRTY THING"
A DIRTY SECRET...
Can be laid to rest.
Because this disease is a KILLER - make no mistake about that.
But - everyone who has this disease --- not a damn one of them asked for it.
So - welcome to MED HELP FORUMS -- and nice to meetcha!
Meki
thanx for the welcome Tammy. I'm lookin forward to findin out more about HPV. So far what I know is very,very little about this disease. I welcome all comments from anyone about a liver scan. I had one and my Dr. said that my liver was in excellent shape. But she never informed me if I my liver was in a stage 1 or whatever. I welcome any comments on accuracy of the liver scan which is done by ultrasound.
Mary
Mary
Wanted to Welcome you.I'm also new here.Not really new per say.I'm fresh,naive, haven't treated,( tx) yet.
Just want to say, you found the best place to be.
Lots of smart people ... You'll find good and bad information and it's up to you to research, learn, and come up with and make the right choices for yourself.
Again welcome and hope you hang around.
Tammy
Just want to say, you found the best place to be.
Lots of smart people ... You'll find good and bad information and it's up to you to research, learn, and come up with and make the right choices for yourself.
Again welcome and hope you hang around.
Tammy
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Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Condoms are the most effective way to prevent HIV and STDs.
PrEP is used by people with high risk to prevent HIV infection.
