Recently Diagnosed 22 y/o - Wondering about sex?

[nikkie]

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

[beto]

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....

[Lynn K]

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

[beto]

and there you have it  thanks Lynn

[Lynn K]

De nada 

[FutureThinker]

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

[nikkie]

Thank you all for your kind words & information. It's a good feeling to know I'm not alone. 

Nikkie

[Lynn K]

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

[nikkie]

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

[Lynn K]

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.

[Joe NM]

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 

[CureSeeker]

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.