Please Reply

[malerape101]

I was anally raped by two men 12 weeks ago. I am also a male, but heterosexual. I have posted in HIV prevention and STD forums.  In the HIV Prevention forum they told me to take it up with the other forums about different questions. So my question is how likely is it that I got Hep C from this exposure? There was no blood that I could tell the next morning or a feeling of cuts inside me.  If I should get tested when should I test?  Any stats on how likely this could happen would be great. Anxiety is a crazy thing. Lastly I know this isn't the Hep B forum, but if I was vaccinated for Hep B when i was younger (age 10 or 8) should i be concerned with this as well.(early 20's now) Feel free to read my other posts as well.
Thank You to all who reply.

[Diane12855]

I'm so glad all your tests came back negative. Please continue to take care of the emotional side.

Hope you have a wonderful life.

[Vic1967]

I am so glad  you checked in to let us know how you are doing.  That's good news to hear that you are clear!.
I hope that you are feeling better and I wish you a much better, happier, healthy and positive future, filled with good people around you.
All the best to you for peace of mind and some blessings to you too.
V

[Trinity4]

Wonderful news.  Very happy all is well and hope this bad memory will go away now.

Best of luck to you
Trinity

[malerape101]

Update:

I thought I would put up an update post to keep you all informed throughout this process. I was tested for Hep B and HIV 13 weeks after exposure. The result were non-reactive for HIV and I showed that I was immune to HBV. So the vacinnation that I had has held and helping me be safe. I didn't have enough money at the time to get the anti-body test for HCV until the following week.  Sooo I went last week to get the anti-body test for HCV and a CBC just for good measures no apparent reason. But any how the doctor called me yesturday and said that all the tests were fine. I will be posting my 6 month results as well. wish me well. God Bless.

[Bill1954]

Also, considering the circumstances, you might request an “HCV RNA by PCR” test. This test checks for presence of actual virus, as opposed to antibody production. HCV RNA can be detected much sooner than antibodies; and the test results are considered very conclusive for infection.

The test is more expensive than the antibody test; be sure to discuss this option with the doctor.

Bill

[Bill1954]

Boy, what a nightmare, huh? Glad you found the forum here to talk to folks. I’d request a 90 day HCV test; I believe it’ll be over 90% conclusive for infection at that point, and will hopefully offer a measure of relief. Here’s what the U.S. CDC has to say about HCV antibody testing:

http://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/HCV/HCVfaq.htm#section3

“How soon after exposure to HCV can anti-HCV be detected?

HCV infection can be detected by anti-HCV screening tests (enzyme immunoassay) 4–10 weeks after infection. Anti-HCV can be detected in >97% of persons by 6 months after exposure.”

Be sure to discuss any additional testing with your doc; my guess is that a negative 90-day result will put you in very good standing, though. All the best going forward, and let us know how things play out if you find the time—

Bill

[hopefulgirl38]

I am really sorry to hear about your expereince.  I am a health care worker who specializes in sexual abuse, I would strongly reccomend that you see a professional - usually most public health clinics will do all this testing for you - also I think you really should see someone just to have an oppertunity to talk about what has happened.  I wish you all the best

[malerape101]

Thanx for the support and knowledge everyone. I have been in counseling ever since the event and am taking Lexapro for anxiety. This up coming Tuesday is my 3 month HIV test. Should I wait until 6 months to get a confident result for HCV? Or should i request a Hep test along with the HIV test at 3 months after exposure?

[Trish77]

Fair enough, James.  Thanks for the correction.

[nygirl7]

I would agree with James as this is one of the ways that we are told is not safeR sex and that we should avoid - especially as it was in rape the risk would be higher.

Male Survivor I'm sorry I don't have any statistics for you but even if we did you know that there is always the 1 in 100 chance anyway.  I truly think the best thing that you can do is go to a professional and talk about it when you are ready and also - get all the tests.  All of them.  That way you can find out you are alright and get that fear out of your head once and for all.

I'm so incredibly sorry that this has happened to you.  We did have a friend or two in here (women) who contracted hepc via rape and they were some of the bravest and toughest people I've ever met.  Please make sure that you take care mentally as well as physically.....each are equally as important as the other.

Best of luck with everything.

[jusjames]

the risk is not low, it is medium, i know a few HIV  infected they are all coinfected with hcv where hiv is involved anal sex is a definate and frequent route.

[Trish77]

To the best of my knowledge, the Hep B vaccination is durable and permanent after you've had it - a one-time vaccination - and this should not be a concern.

Get tested for HCV.  While the risk is low, it increases with the circumstance you describe.  If that had happened to me, knowing what I know about HCV, I'd get tested and encourage others to do so. Then you can cross that right off your list and focus on the things you DO need to put your attention on to be able to recover from this situation adequately.  I hope you go after the supports you require.  I'd seek a counsellor that you can talk to about this.

Good luck.

Trish

[jusjames]

i would check hep c because if they had hep c and hiv the risk is sufficient enough to be tested, why not get tested? if you dont get tested you will find it very hard to move on from this, good luck to you .

[Rockerforlife]

First id hunt them down and take care of some business.

[copyman]

from the exposure you describe your risk is almost 0%.  I would be more worried about HIV, HBV or other STD's. Hep C would be the least of my worries.
Best of luck to you

[Trinity4]

You can have an HCV antibody test now because if by chance your were infected enough time has passed that the antibodies should show up.  It is also recommended that you retest 6 months from exposure.  The likelihood of contracting hepc sexually is very very low but the with rough anal sex it can increase the odds but I don't know the exact percentage.  I know in the gay community co-infection occurs more often.

I'm very sorry this happened to you.  I hope you knew your attackers and reported it to the authorities.

Trinity