HCV Transmission Through Cunnilingus

[WorriedOne5826]

Hi All,

I am a 35 year old male and recently had a sexual encounter with a 31 year old female. Sexual contact included me performing cunnilingus on her for approximately 10 mins, and she performing a blowjob on me for approximately 5 minutes followed vaginal intercourse properly using a condom. Less than 5 minutes before I performed Cunnilingus on her, I brushed my teeth and did not have any oral bleeding nor did I notice any menstrual bleeding from her. She explained to me that she preferred to use a condom because she once had a scare in which she had a false positive for Hep C, but assured me that she been back every 6 months since and had been cleared, but still wanted to play it safe. 3 days after our encounter, I began to show symptoms including diarrhea, vomiting, stomach discomfort, muscle aches, dry mouth, and a pain in my upper right abdomen (liver). I would like to know 1) What is my risk of contracting Hep C through Cunnilingus; 2) If the risk of contracting Hep C through cunnilingus is higher if she also may have had HIV; and 3) If symptoms for either typically show up this quickly or would a co-infection speed up the presence of symptoms. Thank you all in advance for any advice on the matter.

[flyinlynn]

1) What is my risk of contracting Hep C through Cunnilingus;
None

2) If the risk of contracting Hep C through cunnilingus is higher if she also may have had HIV;
No

3) If symptoms for either typically show up this quickly or would a co-infection speed up the presence of symptoms.

The majority of people who contract hep c have no symptoms for decades. When symptoms do occur after many years they are symptoms of liver disease. This is why hep c is called a silent illness.

The symptoms you list are not the symptoms people who do have notable symptoms after initial infection experience.

If you have continued concerns wait 12 weeks after this event and have an antibody test.

[flyinlynn]

There are no known cases of HCV being transmitted through oral sex on a man (fellatio) or a woman (cunnilingus). However, it is theoretically possible that the virus could be transmitted this way if a person has mouth sores, bleeding gums, or a throat infection.

https://www.hepcassoc.org/news/article27.html

[flyinlynn]

Acute hepatitis C usually goes undiagnosed because it rarely causes symptoms. When signs and symptoms are present, they may include jaundice, along with fatigue, nausea, fever and muscle aches. Acute symptoms appear one to three months after exposure to the virus and last two weeks to three months.

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hepatitis-c/symptoms-causes/syc-20354278

[flyinlynn]

WebMD Symptom Checker helps you find the most common medical conditions indicated by the symptoms dry mouth, nausea or vomiting and pain or discomfort including Gastroenteritis, Food poisoning, and Panic attack.

There are 102 conditions associated with dry mouth, nausea or vomiting and pain or discomfort.

[WorriedOne5826]

One last thing. I have a feeling that she wasn't being forthcoming with me when she said she had a false positive for Hep C years ago, suggesting we use a condom to be safe. When I was performing cunnilingus, I did notice a slight odor coming from the vagina. I fear that she may have had HIV, which is the real reason she suggesting using a condom...thinking we were safe with cunnilingus and protected vaginal sex. I've read many places that risk of transmission of HIV through cunnilingus is nil, but is there a significant risk increase of getting HIV through Cunnilingus if there is a presence of Bacterial Vaginosis? Are there any other STD's that come to mind that would produce symptoms that  described within 3 days?

[flyinlynn]

The most likely reason I would in my non medical opinion is anxiety for your symptoms

If concerned see your doctor

For questions about HIV transmission ask in the appropriate forum.

Not there are no medical experts here. The hepatitis c community forums porpoise is as a support group for those newly diagnosed with hepatitis c, undergoing treatment of living with the effects of long term hep c infection.

As such we cannot offer medical opinion or advice.

Also know that today with the meds approved since 2014, 2015 up to the present hep c is very treatable.

If concerned about hep c infection wait for the appropriate testing window, get tested, get treated and get cured. Fight hep c.

Worry solves nothing. Action solves most things.

[WorriedOne5826]

Thank you for your response.