Would really appreciate some advice here.

Hello everyone,

I am new to the forum. I myself do not have Hep C.. at least I am sure I don't. The person I really care for does. She contracted it a year ago. I care a lot for her. That is why I am all over the internet trying to find answers and it just does not work out. I tried contacting some people on here who had threads and responded to others but most of these posts were in 2009 and the users e-mails are inactive.

I just need to be told how a couple works when the male is clean and the female has Hep C. I am going to go talk to my doctor and get tested as well because I just recently found out that all the Hep's are not tested on you unless you ask for them. Pretty scarey. I know I am clean of STD's. So any help from any of you would be most appreciated.

I want to know things like what is safe precautions for all types of sex. What is off limits, what is fine, what is low risk, what is high risk, and all that.

When its Blood To Blood contact. What exactly does that mean? I saw a thread on here where a guy was concerned he caught Hep from making out with his bleeding gums and everyone on here said he had nothing to worry about. So does blood to blood mean in the viens? Could her blood splashed ontop of my scar be high risk or does it have to go deep into a wound to actually infect. For instance, what if my cuticle on my finger has a tiny sore the size of a pin hole. Is this to be something cautious about?

We've been intimate but no actual sex. Just kissing, making out, touching, the usual. I just care a lot for this person.

Seriously anyone who can throw some advice my way it would be a massive favor. If you all have questions ask too. I'm doing my best to educate myself so that I can be safe, we can be safe, and have a healthy relationship together. One big issue is that I think the doctors told her that in 6 months they will test again to see if she is fighting it off naturally. The crapty part is that unfortunately she is not a citizen and the medicine is outrageously priced. So any advice on natural healing would be helpful too.

If this at all helps this is what I remember the results saying.

Name : Value : Range : Result

Hep C : Reactive : Non Reactive : Positive

Hep C : 31.02 : >1.00 : Positive
Quantitative

I just need to know.

Thank you all in advance.

- Lee

So, Gums that bleed are no major threat? I've heard all about anal causing the spread of the virus.

Well still the information is foggy to me. Both having open sores to me sounds like currently bleeding sores as in pretty big cuts. I cut my thumb on some beans the other day. That is something I should cover up and be cautious about. What about when its a scab and in that stage where breaking that scab a tiny bit open to expose the inside from lets say opening and closing your hand. Do mouth ulcers count? What about zits or pimples? These things can bleed very tiny amounts. I guess what I am confused by is how much of a wound and how much contact. I'm guessing there has not been enough research yet.

I agree with David.
You are obsessed and need to speak with a Doctor.

I was with my Husband 10 years before we knew I had it.
10 more years of living together knowing I have it and he still is fine.
The only change we made was we now have our own nail clippers.

You should not treat her any different than if she didn't have it.
You have probably been around a lot of people who have it.
The difference is now you know.

Lee, I am just going to throw out here that I do not think you are paranoid regarding what constitutes blood to blood contact.

I don't have hepatitis C. I have autoimmune hepatitis. To be honest, if this was all new to me, and my partner tested positive for any nasty virus or blood borne illness, I am not sure what I would have done.

Now of course, I know that ordinary household contact will not spread hep C.

If I were you, I would take advice on this matter from those who have lived the life with this issue. I am a very strong believer in Science, but life does not always match the double blind placebo control studies that I like to believe in.

The studies say don't share razors, etc, etc (you would know better than I)(Sorry, I am tired and feel ill and have some HE right now. I am not the sharpest knife in the drawer right now.)(But I would still be careful if I was in a knife fight with someone with a blood borne illness) (Oh dear, perhaps I should go to sleep and just be quiet....)

There are many, many people who have no idea where they got hep C. And there are those who know exactly where they picked up the virus. You are incredibly lucky - I cannot over state this - incredibly lucky to live in a time where hep C is being CURED!

So, live with love and hope, and follow medical advice and you will be just fine.

From a Slightly Loopy NY Girl

CURED - thank you God and modern medicine.  I am 3 months post last Harvoni pill and clear.  Harvoni cost my employer and BCBS about $95,000, and I am grateful.  Acquired HCV post childbirth via blood transfusions in 88

and waited 26 years for Harvoni to come out to get treated.  Had very minor liver damage at treatment and truly believe Milk Thistle, meditation, exercise and good diet was significant all these years.  Was able to work through treatment.  I feel so fortunate to no longer have this albatross on my back and always in the back of my mind.  I wish all of you the best and believe HepC soon to be a thing of the past!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!