Glads we could help. Take care. EWH
Thank you so much, doctor. I think a huge part of dealing with this disease is learning how to LIVE with it as normally as possible. Sex is a large part of a relationship and I think if we can learn how to protect ourselves with this infection, then we can have a healthy sex life with less fear. It makes it seem less like some sort of "spectre of death" if that makes sense.
You are greatly appreciated.
I don't think you are being neurotic. Your asking questions for which there are no good data. In my opinion, there should be no risk of hepatitis C transmission from oral sex. As for rectal sex, there is a risk. It is probably low. I would urge you to use condoms in rectal sex to protect yourself against HIV and Hepatitis C. I think your risk of HIV acquisition is higher than your risk for hepatitis C. EWH
I guess I'm just a neurotic kind of person and sometimes the difference of opinion on sexual risk of HCV can be very confusing.
My real questions are:
Is unprotected oral sex a realistic risk factor for HCV?
and
As long as we are protected and use caution, can we continue to have anal sex with little to no risk?
So what is your suggestion that we do? Protection? Also, what about my oral sex question?
You ask a question which is a topic of hot debate amongst specialists. In the past the two sides of the argument was whether or not hepatitis C was sexually transmitted or not. Today the argument has evolved to the point where all agree that the infection is transmitted sexually and the argument is now, how often? The current beliefs on the subject, based on recent published research are as follows:
1. Hepatitis C IS sexually transmitted
2. Hepatitis C is much more easily transmitted with exchange of blood than genital secretions.
3. MSM are at higher risk than heterosexuals, probably because of the "trauma" associated with rectal sex.
4. Even among MSM, hepatitis is not as efficiently transmitted as other STDs such as hepatitis B, gonorrhea or chlamydia. (I am not aware of comparisons of HIV vs hepatitis C).
With regard to your own post, two other comments. First if your partner has hepatitis C and you do not, you did not give it to him but are at some risk for future infection. Secondly, while receptive rectal intercourse is probably riskier than insertive, there is still an elevated risk of HIV for the insertive partner again--far higher than for heterosexual genital sex .
Hope this helps.. EWH