Welcome, Guest. Please login or register.
March 28, 2024, 10:20:20 pm

Login with username, password and session length


Members
  • Total Members: 6307
  • Latest: golfer
Stats
  • Total Posts: 55125
  • Total Topics: 4851
  • Online Today: 125
  • Online Ever: 1314
  • (June 22, 2016, 05:23:42 am)
Users Online
Users: 0
Guests: 91
Total: 91

Welcome

Welcome to the Hep Forums, a round-the-clock discussion area for people who have Fatty Liver Disease, Hepatitis B, C or a co-infection, their friends and family and others with questions about hepatitis and liver health. Check in frequently to read what others have to say, post your comments, and hopefully learn more about how you can reach your own health goals.

Privacy Warning: Please realize that these forums are open to all, and are fully searchable via Google and other search engines. If this concerns you, then do not use a username or avatar that are self-identifying in any way. We do not allow the deletion of anything you post in these forums, so think before you post.
  • The information shared in these forums, by moderators and members, is designed to complement, not replace, the relationship between an individual and his/her own physician.
  • All members of these forums are, by default, not considered to be licensed medical providers. If otherwise, users must clearly define themselves as such.
  • Product advertisement (including links); banners; and clinical trial, study or survey participation—is strictly prohibited by forums members unless permission has been secured from the Hep Forum Moderators.
Finished Reading This? You can collapse this or any other box on this page by clicking the symbol in each box.

Author Topic: Recently Diagnosed 22 y/o - Wondering about sex?  (Read 13402 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline nikkie

  • Member
  • Posts: 3
Recently Diagnosed 22 y/o - Wondering about sex?
« on: February 04, 2016, 06:29:52 pm »
Hi everyone,

I recently tested positive to hepatitis C. I just started working a year ago as an RN, and got a needle stick at work which caused for my testing. I still don't know where I got it because the patient I was taking care of came back negative. Possibly from my tattoo I got a few years ago? Anyways, I went to see a specialist today and he ordered to check my viral load, genotype, CT liver, etc. I told my boyfriend, and I told him to get tested. I am very worried that I have given him the virus. I know that the chances of transmitting it sexually are very low, but you always worry.

Can anyone give me some advice/guidance about transmitting the virus to your spouse/boyfriend? Should I abstain from sex all together until I can hopefully get cured with the new medications on the market? Condoms?

Thanks
Nikkie

Offline beto

  • Member
  • Posts: 548
  • "no risk it, no biscuit"
Re: Recently Diagnosed 22 y/o - Wondering about sex?
« Reply #1 on: February 04, 2016, 06:59:20 pm »
Hi Nikkie,

Smarter folks than myself will chime in soon I am sure.  Yes pretty rare to transfer sexually and would have to be a blood to blood situation.  Condoms will lessen that factor, but blood to blood would be theoretically possible.  To put it into perspective I had C for years before I got the chronic diagnosis.  I sired kids during that time period and my wife has never tested positive for the virus.  I have a friend that had unprotected sex with her husband for decades.  He has never tested positive.  However, it can happen and there is no way to know if that was the source.  Tattoos are  a much more common route and there are many who have posted on this site about it.  It does not matter how...there has never been a better time in history to receive this bad news, because the cure has arrived.

I can't recommend anything except, have your partner get checked.  Discuss with an expert specialist about your sexually active concerns and precautions. 

And, don't stress it.  You are far from alone.  Welcome to the best HCV forum you will find.  Peace....
HCV/nonA,nonB acute phase 1975
HCV detected active 1990
HCV persistent chronic diagnosis 1995
1995 liver enzymes mild elevations
1996 Biopsy F2 fibrosis
treatment naive geno 1-A
2000-to early 2015 Viral load 150, 000 to 800, 000
recent liver enzymes before treatment alt/ast 59to209,  Fibroscan F4,cirrhosis
start tx Harvoni 7/11/2015
6.5 week-UD-ast/alt 25/25
9wk-UD-ast18 alt23
10/3/15 completed tx
11/5/15 new fibroscan f0-f1 amazed
6wk EOT UD ast/alt 20/20
12EOT-UD-ast/alt19/21
25wk-SVR! 19/18

Offline Lynn K

  • Global Moderator
  • Member
  • Posts: 4,543
  • Get tested, get treated, get cured, fight Hep c!
Re: Recently Diagnosed 22 y/o - Wondering about sex?
« Reply #2 on: February 04, 2016, 07:11:14 pm »
A couple of links and excerpts for you

http://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/hcv/cfaq.htm#cFAQ32

Can Hepatitis C be spread through sexual contact?

Yes, but the risk of transmission from sexual contact is believed to be low. The risk increases for those who have multiple sex partners, have a sexually transmitted disease, engage in rough sex, or are infected with HIV. More research is needed to better understand how and when Hepatitis C can be spread through sexual contact.


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

Lack of evidence of sexual transmission of hepatitis C among monogamous couples: results of a 10-year prospective follow-up study.

The risk of sexual transmission of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection was evaluated among 895 monogamous heterosexual partners of HCV chronically infected individuals in a long-term prospective study, which provided a follow-up period of 8,060 person-years. Seven hundred and seventy-six (86.7%) spouses were followed for 10 yr, corresponding to 7,760 person-years of observation. One hundred and nineteen (13.3%) spouses (69 whose infected partners cleared the virus following treatment and 50 who ended their relationship or were lost at follow-up) contributed an additional 300 person-years. All couples denied practicing anal intercourse or sex during menstruation, as well as condom use. The average weekly rate of sexual intercourse was 1.8. Three HCV infections were observed during follow-up corresponding to an incidence rate of 0.37 per 1,000 person-years. However, the infecting HCV genotype in one spouse (2a) was different from that of the partner (1b), clearly excluding sexual transmission. The remaining two couples had concordant genotypes, but sequence analysis of the NS5b region of the HCV genome, coupled with phylogenetic analysis showed that the corresponding partners carried different viral isolates, again excluding the possibility of intraspousal transmission of HCV. 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.

There are many here who are in long term monogamous relationships where one has hep c and the other does not. In fact the CDC does not routinely recommend using barrier protection for such individuals. Bottom line the chances are very low to no risk for him to have hep c.

If you have only tested positive for hep c antibodies at this point you may not even have hep c you may only have been exposed at some point in your life.

About 25 percent of people initially infected with hep c are able to beat the virus on their own. They will test positive for antibodies to hep c for the rest of their lives but when tested for the hep v virus itself the HCV RNA by PCR test they will test not detected meaning they are not currently infected with hep c.

If all you have had is a hep c antibody test there is a chance you may not have hep c at all and will not need to be treated.

Good luck
Lynn
Genotype 1a
1978 contracted, 1990 Dx
1995 Intron A failed
2001 Interferon Riba null response
2003 Pegintron Riba trial med null response
2008 F4 Cirrhosis Bx
2014 12 week Sov/Oly relapse
10/14 fibroscan 27 PLT 96
2014 24 weeks Harvoni 15 weeks Riba
5/4/15 EOT not detected, ALT 21, AST 20
4 week post not detected, ALT 26, AST 28
12 week post NOT DETECTED (07/27/15)
ALT 29, AST 27 PLT 92
24 week post NOT DETECTED! (10/19/15)
44 weeks (3/11/16)  fibroscan 33, PLT 111, HCV NOT DETECTED!
I AM FREE!

Offline beto

  • Member
  • Posts: 548
  • "no risk it, no biscuit"
Re: Recently Diagnosed 22 y/o - Wondering about sex?
« Reply #3 on: February 04, 2016, 07:22:57 pm »
and there you have it  :) thanks Lynn
HCV/nonA,nonB acute phase 1975
HCV detected active 1990
HCV persistent chronic diagnosis 1995
1995 liver enzymes mild elevations
1996 Biopsy F2 fibrosis
treatment naive geno 1-A
2000-to early 2015 Viral load 150, 000 to 800, 000
recent liver enzymes before treatment alt/ast 59to209,  Fibroscan F4,cirrhosis
start tx Harvoni 7/11/2015
6.5 week-UD-ast/alt 25/25
9wk-UD-ast18 alt23
10/3/15 completed tx
11/5/15 new fibroscan f0-f1 amazed
6wk EOT UD ast/alt 20/20
12EOT-UD-ast/alt19/21
25wk-SVR! 19/18

Offline Lynn K

  • Global Moderator
  • Member
  • Posts: 4,543
  • Get tested, get treated, get cured, fight Hep c!
Re: Recently Diagnosed 22 y/o - Wondering about sex?
« Reply #4 on: February 04, 2016, 07:26:18 pm »
De nada  8)
Genotype 1a
1978 contracted, 1990 Dx
1995 Intron A failed
2001 Interferon Riba null response
2003 Pegintron Riba trial med null response
2008 F4 Cirrhosis Bx
2014 12 week Sov/Oly relapse
10/14 fibroscan 27 PLT 96
2014 24 weeks Harvoni 15 weeks Riba
5/4/15 EOT not detected, ALT 21, AST 20
4 week post not detected, ALT 26, AST 28
12 week post NOT DETECTED (07/27/15)
ALT 29, AST 27 PLT 92
24 week post NOT DETECTED! (10/19/15)
44 weeks (3/11/16)  fibroscan 33, PLT 111, HCV NOT DETECTED!
I AM FREE!

Offline FutureThinker

  • Member
  • Posts: 711
  • Onward and upward!
Re: Recently Diagnosed 22 y/o - Wondering about sex?
« Reply #5 on: February 05, 2016, 11:49:30 am »
Nikkie - All the above is valid info; just wanted to let you know I've been married for 30+ years, have had this virus all that time + some, and my partner tested negative when I was diagnosed. So yes, it is possible to transmit it sexually, but it has to be blood-to-blood contact. Talk to your doctor.  Welcome to this forum, you'll find a ton of very valuable info here! Good luck,  FT
Treatment naive
Likely contracted mid-70s
Diagnosed 1a, 2011
F1-2
Harvoni X 12 weeks, completed 5/17/16
Pre-treatment: VL 3 mil, AST 64, ALT 84
4 week labs: VL 30, AST 21, ALT 14
8 week labs: VL UD!!!, AST 22, ALT 16
12 week labs: VL UD, AST 23, ALT 14
2 wk EOT: VL UD
12 wk EOT: VL UD, AST 22, ALT 13 =  SVR 12! Yay! 
Last hep appointment: VL UD, AST 19, ALT 12 = SVR 39! I AM DONE!

Offline nikkie

  • Member
  • Posts: 3
Re: Recently Diagnosed 22 y/o - Wondering about sex?
« Reply #6 on: February 06, 2016, 07:23:40 pm »
Thank you all for your kind words & information. It's a good feeling to know I'm not alone.  :)

Nikkie

Offline Lynn K

  • Global Moderator
  • Member
  • Posts: 4,543
  • Get tested, get treated, get cured, fight Hep c!
Re: Recently Diagnosed 22 y/o - Wondering about sex?
« Reply #7 on: February 06, 2016, 11:48:34 pm »
Hi Nikkie

Do you know if you have only had the antibody test or have you had the test for the hep c virus yet?

If you have not had the HCV RNA by PCR test or similar you may not even have hep c.

Good luck wishing you a not detected result
Genotype 1a
1978 contracted, 1990 Dx
1995 Intron A failed
2001 Interferon Riba null response
2003 Pegintron Riba trial med null response
2008 F4 Cirrhosis Bx
2014 12 week Sov/Oly relapse
10/14 fibroscan 27 PLT 96
2014 24 weeks Harvoni 15 weeks Riba
5/4/15 EOT not detected, ALT 21, AST 20
4 week post not detected, ALT 26, AST 28
12 week post NOT DETECTED (07/27/15)
ALT 29, AST 27 PLT 92
24 week post NOT DETECTED! (10/19/15)
44 weeks (3/11/16)  fibroscan 33, PLT 111, HCV NOT DETECTED!
I AM FREE!

Offline nikkie

  • Member
  • Posts: 3
Re: Recently Diagnosed 22 y/o - Wondering about sex?
« Reply #8 on: February 07, 2016, 06:19:44 pm »
Hi Nikkie

Do you know if you have only had the antibody test or have you had the test for the hep c virus yet?

If you have not had the HCV RNA by PCR test or similar you may not even have hep c.

Good luck wishing you a not detected result

Hi Lynn,

I only have the results of the antibody test back, which is positive. I just had my labs drawn on 2/4 to test my viral load, genotype, etc. Unfortunately, as you already know, those tests can take up to two weeks for results. My fingers are crossed that I may have been lucky enough to fight off the virus on my own. If not, I find comfort in the fact that the new medications have been so effective at eradicating the virus in those who suffered for so long. Coping with a definite diagnosis will be hard, but I know I have to keep moving forward with a positive outlook to try and get cured. Again, thank you for your knowledge and advice.

Nikkie

Offline Lynn K

  • Global Moderator
  • Member
  • Posts: 4,543
  • Get tested, get treated, get cured, fight Hep c!
Re: Recently Diagnosed 22 y/o - Wondering about sex?
« Reply #9 on: February 07, 2016, 11:49:36 pm »
Hi

For the viral load test I have gotten my results as soon as 5 days and not longer than 10 days so I hope you have your results sooner than later.
Genotype 1a
1978 contracted, 1990 Dx
1995 Intron A failed
2001 Interferon Riba null response
2003 Pegintron Riba trial med null response
2008 F4 Cirrhosis Bx
2014 12 week Sov/Oly relapse
10/14 fibroscan 27 PLT 96
2014 24 weeks Harvoni 15 weeks Riba
5/4/15 EOT not detected, ALT 21, AST 20
4 week post not detected, ALT 26, AST 28
12 week post NOT DETECTED (07/27/15)
ALT 29, AST 27 PLT 92
24 week post NOT DETECTED! (10/19/15)
44 weeks (3/11/16)  fibroscan 33, PLT 111, HCV NOT DETECTED!
I AM FREE!

Offline Joe NM

  • Member
  • Posts: 46
Re: Recently Diagnosed 22 y/o - Wondering about sex?
« Reply #10 on: February 08, 2016, 06:21:52 pm »
Also, if it turns out you do need that medication assist to kick the virus all the way out, and if insurance does give you trouble, you should qualify for an exemption to any access restrictions based on being a healthcare worker. http://www.hcvguidelines.org/full-report/when-and-whom-initiate-hcv-therapy
...and your employer IS NOT ALLOWED to discriminate against you based on this diagnosis, nor can they require you to report it to them.

Lucinda has a nice thread about insurance company coverage policies: http://forums.hepmag.com/index.php?topic=3820.0

And you shouldn't have to worry about copays for medications! Easy coupons...
mysupportpath.com (Harvoni, Sovaldi)
viekira.com (Viekira Pak)
https://bmsdm.secure.force.com/patientsupportconnect/patient (Daklinza)

...but again, hope it's not needed! Wishing you smooth sailing  :D
HCV Case Manager
Type-1 diabetic
Connoisseur of battling insurance companies, and when that fails resorting to 'Sample Pharmacies' and sneaking insulin back from Mexico to survive.
Kindred spirit/admirer of all on this forum!
Here to help in any way I can!
EVERYONE DESERVES A CURE!

Offline CureSeeker

  • Member
  • Posts: 121
  • Virus Free! Happy Dance Time!
Re: Recently Diagnosed 22 y/o - Wondering about sex?
« Reply #11 on: March 05, 2016, 10:26:44 pm »
Since your question has been answered very well, I would just like to throw in there the obvious, lol -

it's very easy for couples to absentmindedly share things like toothbrushes, razors, nail/cuticle clippers and stuff like that.  Keep yours separate to avoid mix ups, and cross contamination.

Although Ive read its not necessary, for my own piece of mind, I would change out toothbrushes, picks etc every few months during and after my treatment just to avoid the possibility re-infecting myself along the way.

It may be overkill, but HCV can live a long time outside the body.

Best wishes for your success.
Once you eliminate the impossible, whatever remains, no matter how improbable, must be the truth.

~ Arthur Conan Doyle


Genotype 3a, F 0-1
Sovaldi & Ribavirin x 24 weeks

2/23/16 - UNDETECTED!  SVR12 achieved.  :D
6/21/17 - UNDETECTED!  1.5 years post treatment.
July 2018 - UNDETECTED!

 


© 2024 Smart + Strong. All Rights Reserved.   terms of use and your privacy
Smart + Strong® is a registered trademark of CDM Publishing, LLC.