Sexual intercourse and hepatitis c transmission & bull; hello healthy

Hepatitis C transmission through sexual contact

The main intermediary for hepatitis C transmission from one person to another is through blood and sexual fluids, such as semen or vaginal fluids from unsafe sexual activity. Sexual transmission of hepatitis C occurs in 1 in every 190,000 cases of sexual contact.

Some of the other routes of hepatitis C, including:

Sharing of non-sterile needles among injecting drug users, such as those who abuse heroin
From mother to baby during childbirth
Punctured needles (syringes for medical purposes / pins / pins / other sharp objects) used on an infected person
Borrowing personal items from an infected person, such as razors and toothbrushes

Hepatitis C infection usually causes no symptoms before the advanced stage of chronic infection. In fact, most people do not know that they have hepatitis C infection until liver damage is detected in routine medical tests decades later.

Who is at high risk of contracting hepatitis C through sex?

Certain conditions and sexual activity are reported to have a high risk of contracting hepatitis C, namely:

Having multiple sexual partners
Suffering from other sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
Is HIV positive
Having abusive sexual intercourse
Unsafe sex, such as not using condoms or dental dams
Not using sex safeguards properly

The highest risk is transmission through infected blood, even though hepatitis C has been detected in semen. This transmission can occur from open wounds, cuts, or other tears in the skin.

Skin-to-skin contact during sex can also pass blood from one person to another, allowing the virus to spread.

It is common to get HIV and hepatitis C co-infections. In fact, from 50 to 90 percent of IV drug users who have HIV also have hepatitis C.

This is possible because these two conditions have similar risk factors, including sharing needles and unprotected sex.

How to prevent transmission of hepatitis C

To date, there is no vaccine for hepatitis C, but there are ways to prevent infection. For example, stopping intravenous drugs and sharing needles. Also, stop using contaminated items, such as needles.

Always make sure that the equipment used is sterilized. In fact, you shouldn't share needles that are used for tattoos, body piercing, or acupuncture. This equipment should always be sterilized with care for safety.

When needles and other tools are used, ask the doctor to follow the correct procedure.

If you or your partner is diagnosed with hepatitis C, you can prevent transmission of the virus in many ways, including:

Using a condom at every sexual contact, including oral sex and anal sex
Using condoms properly to prevent tearing or tearing during sex
Refrain from engaging in sexual contact when you or your partner have open sores on your genitals
Do a venereal disease test and ask your sex partner to take it too
Having sex with only one partner (not mutually sexual partners)
Be honest with all your sex partners about your health status
Take additional precautions if you are HIV positive (your chances of contracting the hepatitis C virus are much higher if you have HIV). For people who are at high risk of becoming infected with the HIV virus, testing is available at STD treatment facilities.

The hepatitis C antibody test, also known as the anti-HCV test, is a test that determines the presence of HCV antibodies in a person's blood. The body will produce antibodies to fight the hepatitis C virus if a person has been infected with this virus.

If a person tests positive for antibodies, doctors usually order follow-up tests to check if the person has active hepatitis C. This test is called an RNA or PCR test.

You should see your doctor regularly for STI screening if you are sexually active and not in a monogamous relationship.

Some viruses and infections, including hepatitis C, can cause no symptoms for several weeks after exposure. For as long as the virus is asymptomatic, you may have passed it on to your sex partners without realizing it.