Aa
oral hep c risk
hepatitis forum is disabled which is why I am here. It says all over the internet only a small amount of blood could transmit hepatitis c which is why I am worried. I perform oral sex on a woman with no intercourse because there was no condom. I had small crack in bottom lip from dry mouth maybe bleeding a tiny bit don't know. We also shared many cigarettes together throughout the night. Long story short I found out she has hepatitis c and I'm worried somehow if she had any blood from her vagina or on her mouth that got into my lip that I am at risk. I have a test coming up in about 3 weeks. I know they're only "what if" questions but she has het c. Just looking for your opinion. Thanks
Thanks for explaining the difference in the theoretical and real-life risks.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Don't confuse knee-jerk or theoretical risks with real-world experience. Also, websites by interested groups -- e.g. run by people with HCV and evangenelistic about tis prevention -- tend to inflate the risks. In theory, it is conceivable that any blood exposure could risk infection. But there are few cases without obvious exposure to blood, such as injection drug use, transfusion (in the pre-HCV testing era), and so on.
You definitely should still expect a negative test result. Had I been in your situation, I wouldnt have been tested at all and would be continuing unprotected sex with my wife without worry about either my health or hers.
You definitely should still expect a negative test result. Had I been in your situation, I wouldnt have been tested at all and would be continuing unprotected sex with my wife without worry about either my health or hers.
So no hcv risk from oral sex good to know. pretty sure she had dental problems so would the sharing of cigarettes with my cut lip pose a risk cause of possible blood entry? There's sites on the internet that say that would be a risk. Should I still expect a negative result? Sorry if question sounds stupid. Thank you again
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome to the forum and thanks for your question.
However, like many people, you have come to the assumption that hepatitis C virus (HCV) is an STD in the same manner as other traditional STDs or hepatitis B. It is not. Heterosexual transmission is rare, if it occurs at all, even with unprotected vaginal sex; and oral sex is not a known transmission risk. The only proved scenarios for sexual transmission of HCV is among gay men who participate in traumatic rectal sexual practices -- and even here, it appears to be an important problem only in HIV infected men. Here is the link to a thread with a bit more information about it; you can find others through the search link.
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/HIV-Prevention/Testing-/show/1668453
Given that your partner has a known HCV infection, I can understand your desire for testing for reassurance purposes. You definitely can expect negative results. However, 3 weeks seems a bit early. You might check with your doctor or clinic about recommended intervals; 6 weeks might be more reliable. (Because it's not an STD, we don't try to keep up with detailed recommendations about HCV testing.)
Best wishes-- HHH, MD
However, like many people, you have come to the assumption that hepatitis C virus (HCV) is an STD in the same manner as other traditional STDs or hepatitis B. It is not. Heterosexual transmission is rare, if it occurs at all, even with unprotected vaginal sex; and oral sex is not a known transmission risk. The only proved scenarios for sexual transmission of HCV is among gay men who participate in traumatic rectal sexual practices -- and even here, it appears to be an important problem only in HIV infected men. Here is the link to a thread with a bit more information about it; you can find others through the search link.
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/HIV-Prevention/Testing-/show/1668453
Given that your partner has a known HCV infection, I can understand your desire for testing for reassurance purposes. You definitely can expect negative results. However, 3 weeks seems a bit early. You might check with your doctor or clinic about recommended intervals; 6 weeks might be more reliable. (Because it's not an STD, we don't try to keep up with detailed recommendations about HCV testing.)
Best wishes-- HHH, MD
You are reading content posted in the STDs Forum
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Millions of people are diagnosed with STDs in the U.S. each year.
STDs can't be transmitted by casual contact, like hugging or touching.
Syphilis is an STD that is transmitted by oral, genital and anal sex.
