High risk exposure to menstrual blood. Very Stupid

[gege125]

Hello,
My girlfriend has Hep C and is on treatment. I was having sex with her even though I was having a HSV-2 outbreak ( She has that too). My outbreak was very mild so I did not feel the sores or pain ( but the sores were visible) and proceeded to have sex with her. When we were done, I was surprised to see my penis covered with a lot of blood ( like literally crazy amount, I stopped seeing my skin on some areas). She made a mistake in calculating her period time and I made a stupid mistake of having sex with her during my herpes outbreak when the doctor told me to avoid that or use a condom. Is there a chance that I did not get it? Blood on sores and in mucous membrane ( urethra). This sounds like a guaranteed infection to me. Any advice is great
Thanks 

[Lynn K]

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

CDC Hepatitis C FAQ's for the general public

Transmission / Exposure

How is Hepatitis C spread?

Hepatitis C is usually spread when blood from a person infected with the Hepatitis C virus enters the body of someone who is not infected. Today, most people become infected with the Hepatitis C virus by sharing needles or other equipment to inject drugs. Before 1992, when widespread screening of the blood supply began in the United States, Hepatitis C was also commonly spread through blood transfusions and organ transplants.

People can become infected with the Hepatitis C virus during such activities as

    Sharing needles, syringes, or other equipment to inject drugs
    Needlestick injuries in health care settings
    Being born to a mother who has Hepatitis C

Less commonly, a person can also get Hepatitis C virus infection through

Sharing personal care items that may have come in contact with another person’s blood, such as razors or toothbrushes
Having sexual contact with a person infected with the Hepatitis C virus

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.

From another link:

Q: I have herpes. I had sex someone who has Hep C. It was unprotected. Does that mean I have the virus?
A: The risk of transmission of hepatitis C through sexual intercourse is increased when a sexually transmitted disease is present. The only way to know if you've been infected with hepatitis C is to be tested.


From another link:

Is Hepatitis C Transmitted Sexually?
Yes. It is recommended that all patients having sex with multiple partners use a condom and spermicide. However, since the risk is felt to be low, patients in a single partner relationship need to use a barrier method only if they have genital sores, active bleeding, or are anxious and concerned about transmission. However, it is strongly recommended that men or women with hepatitis C who have sores in the genital area should avoid sexual contact. Anal intercourse or intercourse causing minor trauma or bleeding or during menstrual periods has a higher risk, and barrier protection is recommended.

The only good news I have is that she is on treatment and likely has a low to not detected viral load so there is less virus or possibly no virus to be transmitted.

You will need to wait 6 months and be tested for antibodies to hep c if you are positive for antibodies to hep c you will next test for the hep c virus itself. If that is positive you should then be treated.

I would suggest you use barrier protection to avoid the risk of reinfecting one another until you are both clear of hep c.

At least for the next 6 months until you can be tested to see if you are infected and if you do need treatment until 12 weeks after you have completed treatment.

Good luck to you both

[Joe NM]

How long has she been on treatment??? Usually by week 4 the virus is undetectable in the blood and EXTREMELY unlikely to transmit to anyone no matter what 'risky behavior' has happened. Also I'm not sure where the science is about whether HCV is found in menstrual blood? Anybody know? In any case, it's better to be sure than to worry, so get a test...Department of Health offices can usually offer a test for free, or if you have a regular doctor you can ask for it...or even the doctor where she is being treated, they may offer tests to partners.

[lporterrn]

Treatment or no treatment, your risk is probably low, but the fact that she is on hep C treatment reduces the likelihood of transmission.

[beto]

what Lucida said...and I would say don't stress.  As over the top as your situation sounds to you, I believe it is much more likely you are OK.  Yes down the road you should get checked.  However, for starters, you have a 15 to 25 % chance of clearing the virus if in fact you had an open lesion and a fair amount of blood was absorbed into from your partners menses.  This type on transmission is not like mainlining someone elses blood through injection, transfusion or organ transplant.  You have a line of defense your immune system.  Then there is the factor of your partners viral load being likely very low or non existent...as pointed out by Joe.  If god forbid you did become infected, there is a cure and you will have a long grace period because it is a slow moving virus and for many...they never knew they even had it.  Good luck...stress is your worst enemy right now.  No judgement on this site, so hang out and let us know how you and your partner are doing...peace.  Oh BTW...I am just a schmo that "had" hep c and of course not a doctor.  Go to your doc and tell him whats up.