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Kissing with potential cuts in mouth

Hello Guys

thank you for taking time to read my post.
I had 2 incidents of deep kissing (unknown HCV status) where I was not sure if I had a mouth sore (I tend to have mouth sores on and off and my gums are sensitive) a week after I started having a sore throat and a tender lymph node. I read on most websites that HCV can transmit via kissing provided there are means of transmission like a sore/cuts and blood involved (not quantified). I know saliva is not a risk factor. My question is what are the risks of HCV transmission in a case where there are potential mouth sores and a minimal bleed if any (not gushing blood).

Thank you kindly
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683231 tn?1467323017
You have a lot of what if’s in your question.

IF they had hep C being the biggest as only about 4% of the population has hep c

IF there was blood in their mouth. Doubtless if there had been sufficient blood for transmission you would likely have tasted it as it would require a very large quantity of blood to have any possibility for hep c to be transmitted in this manner.

IF you had mouth sores one would think you would be aware if you had fresh open weeping mouth injuries. Again you would likely be able to taste fresh blood in your booth from such injuries.

For transmission to occur it would require an open wet/weeping injury for the hepatitis C virus to have any possibility however remote of being able to enter your bloodstream.
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1 Comments
Thank you very much for your input
683231 tn?1467323017
Essentially non existent

There have been no know transmissions of hep c in the manner you have described.

Hep C is a blood borne illness hepatitis C infected  blood must enter the bloodstream of an infected person.

The most common method of transmission is sharing of IV drug needles or having a blood transfusion prior to 1992 when testing for hepatitis C antibodies was developed and the blood supply secured.

Other methods of transmission would be participating in extremely rough sex acts where exchange of blood could occur ie BDSM or blood sports. There is approximately a 6% risk of vertical transmission from mother to child during the birth process so being born to a hepatitis C infected mother would present a small risk. Receiving a tattoo at an unlicensed facility is a small risk. Also sharing of personal hygiene items like toothbrushes, razors or fingernail clippers could also present a small risk.

From the US CDC

“ Hepatitis C is not spread by sharing eating utensils, breastfeeding, hugging, kissing, holding hands, coughing, or sneezing. It is also not spread through food or water.”

https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/hcv/cfaq.htm#B1
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