Dating someone with Hep C

[WorriedNJ213]

hey guys!  i have recently met a woman and shes awesome.  we havent had sex yet because we are taking things slowly.  we were discussing things openly and she told me outright her ex husband gave her Hep C 2 years ago. i was SHOCKED.  she had it when she had her daughter and her child dosent have it.  shes 18 months old.  i really like this girl, shes not into drugs but her husband was which is why she divorced him.  she went through all her tests and only has Hep C and her levels are normal to slightly elevated and her doctor said she dosent need treatment right now?   since i know nothing of hep c i figured i would ask.  i have distanced myself from her and feel bad about it but i dont want to put myself in harms way.  how dangerous is it to date someone with Hep C?

[lenitalia]

Brother as of today I understand the panic you just went through. I have been talking to this lady for a few weeks now. I didn't really know what Hep C was until today. Things started getting a little deeper and like you, we have not been sexually active. I know that eventually it would go that route as we are both young and things happen.
I was told of her Hep C today and the first thought was F***. Here I am meeting this wonderful woman and then felt like I got kicked in the balls. I was supportive and felt the need to thank her for being so honest and upfront. Later I started feeling bad because I did just as you did (Having the feeling of self perseverance) -Protecting yourself first. I wanted to say thank you to all of the people on this tread. Also for all of the forums that you can read about Hep A,B and C.
I feel safer now, now that I understand Hep C and not only how you can get it but why someone would get it.  In short, you are for the most part safe. If you love her or care about her, then be a man and support her. I am sure that she is going through some **** with all of this, the last thing she would be needing is her man judging her and condemning her. -The way I thought of it, -It's not like she wanted it....   So I decided I will not let this get in the way of making "US" happy.   I suggest you do the same. -If she is worth it to you.

[medic54]

Depends on a lot of factors... but mainly most of the above advise seems logical. I did read a Japanese study that followed several hundred monogamous couples (with one member positive and supposedly zero other risk factors) for (can't recall the study length) and they found a '1% per year transmitting rate'. But..one must also consider the prevalence of IV drug use with HCV and the facts that denial of it  is common when questioned my medical personnel and that birds of a feather tend to flock t......... So, I personally doubt there was an actual 1% sexually transmitted rate....but all I'm sure of is that it doesn't seem to be greater than that. I've probably carried it for 40 years and have never transmitted it to my knowledge which includes my wife of 30 years who is checked annually.

[sammyandb]

if you are in a monogamous relationship then the risk of your spouse or lover becoming HCV positive is about 1 in 1000 to 1 in 10,000.

http://www.hcvadvocate.org/hcsp/articles/Donovan-1.html

Unknowingly: i had hepC over 25 years having sex with my wife and she never got it, thank God.

[Star971]

Agree with everyone that posted. Soon to be married to been with my fiancé for 7 yrs and he doesn't have it. If you like this girl go back over there and give her a hug.

[dontworry_behappy1]

After educating myself about Hepatitis C.....I wouldn't even blink if some told me they had hepatitis C.  It no deal breaker.  I might drive them nuts to get into treatment ASAP.  That would be the only issue with dating someone with Hepatitis C.  I drove my longtime partner nuts until they tested.  I think they were more relieved not to hear about it anymore.  Education tells you Hepatitis C isn't transmitted very easily this way.  I have used the same razor,
nail clippers and even their toothbrush from time to time.  Still not telling them about the last one: ).  I have held my arm after an accident and had blood squirting everywhere including on them.  Interesting they never got Hepatitis C.  Yes... I would date someone with Hepatitis C.  

Don't Worry Be Happy : )

[1swimmer]

People fear what they don't understand. And here you are, asking questions, and trying to find out about Hepatitis C. Kudos to you. As you learn more, you will understand that dating someone with hep C, could be just fine.

Wish you the best, and perhaps, that will be an awesome relationship !!!
C

[HCVinPDX]

I have been pretty open about having this virus and no one has specifically asked me how I got it.  I have my suspicions but I never will know for sure.  I'm treating my virus now and really don't feel that I'm in any shape to date, but, I do hope to have a long-term relationship again.  Giving someone HCV is and always will be the least of my worries.
Distancing yourself from this "awesome" woman seems harsh.  If I were in her shoes I would be very disappointed in your response.  It appears chicken-s**t and it's everything I hate about dating.  God, please save me from going through this adolescent behavior when I decide to put myself out there again!!!  

[scuba7771963]

omg... it's not adolescent... it's simply unaware... we are hyped through the media... anyone who comes on here wants to know... wants to be appropriate... wants TO BE ABLE TO make a commitment to love and to share everything without reservation... come on now... give us a chance !!!

[shocked60]

Again not to sound repetitious, I contacted hep-c through a blood transfusion. I have had it for 38 years, married and gave birth to our second child. Nobody else in my family has been infected. Being diagnosed was the hardest thing I had ever gone through. I am sure telling you she had hcv was not easy. If you really care , then help her. I can't imagine being out in the dating world and having to go through this because of what others think.

[willbb]

Below is one site of many available to you:


How is Hepatitis C transmitted?

High risk

sharing injecting drug equipment (fits, etc)

having a blood transfusion with infected blood or blood product before 1990

unsafe tattooing or body piercing procedures

unsafe health care procedures involving blood, including

mass immunisation programs with contaminated needles

medical/dental procedures with contaminated equipment

acupuncture with contaminated needles

Low risk

needlestick, sharps or blood accidents in the health care setting

mother to baby during pregnancy or at birth

sharing razors, toothbrushes, tweezers, etc

Very low risk (rare)

  sexual activity.


  http://www.hcvadvocate.org/hepatitis/factsheets.asp#Easy_eng
.

[cheflady]

i agree with the above posts in all the yrs i have been with my wonderful hubby i have never worried about getting hepc  I have just seen my hubby through his treatment and as everybody on the site is well aware that it isnt easy, I agree with rival grow a pair she dosnt deserve the slap in the face that youve just given her!!

[rivll]

HCV is spread by blood to blood contact. I was married many years with it and had 4 children and no one in my family were infected.

It is unlikely that she got hep.c through intercourse with her ex but it does *not* mean she was using drugs either. It is possible to get it from a dentist who has not properly sterilized equipment, tattoos, piercings a transfusion...all through blood contact with contaminated instruments.

People with hep.c go through enough and really don't need people in their lives that cut them off because they have an illness.
If she is a wonderful person, man up and be there for her or make way for someone worthy of her attentions.

[Growzer]

   Me too been married 25 yrs . Have enjoy a heathy sex life and my wife does not have Hep C

Just a comment

[belle19]

i've been with my husband for 32 years and have 2 children.  none of them have hep c.  good luck to you.  belle

[HaveFaith4Me]

It's not easily contracted through sexual encounters (not saying it isn't possible). I've been dating someone with hep c for 2 and a half years and I do not have hep c.

[asle]

Like candoman said, your 'paramour' may have contracted HCV from her ex, but I wonder if she is being totally honest as to how. Sharing needles is the most common way to contract virus.
Also, I wonder if you really DID like this girl, as I would have thought one would do all they can to understand the disease, then find ways to live with it, together. Talking these things through with each other is the basis for a strong relationship. If you want one. Distancing yourself is a slap in the face, I would've thought.
HepC is stigmatized enough in our current times.

[can-do-man]

Would like to add they do not even recommend we use condoms, so that should tell you how hard it is......

[can-do-man]

First I doubt her husband gave her Hep C, as for how dangerous it is well I have been married over thirty years and my wife doesn't have it and there are many of others here as well...... It sounds like both of you really need to understand how people become infected, if it was that easy we would all have it.......... Good luck to both of you.