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Posted 6/7/2008 2:34 AM (GMT 0)
Hi everyone!

I have a question. A possible boyfriend of mind has been exposed to hepatitis c and says he never got the disease, but has the anitgent to the disease. He says that he can't give it to anyone, but I am not sure. I called Planned Parenthood and they told me it was possible that he could not pass it to me especially if we use safe sex practice. Can someone comment on this?
Posted 6/7/2008 9:24 PM (GMT 0)

Can somebody tell me the difference from an antigen and an antibody?  I was told I have the antibody for hep B and can never get it or give it to someone else.  Apparently, my immune system threw off the B virus (though not the C.)

This sounds like what happened to your b.f., Penney.  If so, he will test postive for hep C and be considered to have chronic hepatitis C--but not active hep C.  In which case, there is 0% chance of your contracting the disease from him.  Even if he had chronic, active hep C, the chance of contracting the disease sexually is very minimal.  It is usually advised to use safe sex practices anyway, but I have to say I never did.  Neither my ex-husband nor my long-time b.f. were ever concerned about contracting the disease sexually, so I left the decision up to them, knowing the chances were extremely minimal.  It has been 15 years since I was diagnosed and neither of them ever contracted the disease.  Obviously, to be 100% safe, it's better to use condoms if a partner has active hep C, but it's really a personal decision.  Also, if a female with active hep C has her period, sex should not be engaged in at that time.

Connie


Posted 6/8/2008 6:45 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Penny,
No promises here, but I have been with my husband for 21 years and my HepC tests are still Negative. He doesn't know when he contracted it, and we only found out that he has HepC 5 years ago. Because of his early lifestyle, he could have gotten it 30+ years ago.
I have had a hysterectomy, so we never used condoms. I would be more cautious these days though if I were you.

Carol
Posted 6/14/2008 2:33 PM (GMT 0)
For those out there with new untested partners - please always practise safe sex (not for just Hep C reasons). There is a small chance of passing Hep C though sexual contact whether chronic or active - like Herpes it can be tramsmtted while in remission. Rare, but most often happens when one has another STD where sores or blood are
part of the entire package.

Hope this helps,

Cary
Posted 6/14/2008 5:45 PM (GMT 0)
Connie,

 I was reading the post and thought I could help with your question on Hep B antibodies and antigens. Antibodies are produced by the body to offer protection from previous exposer to HBVirus, the virus is no longer present and cannot be passed to others. Antigens is an indicator of Hep B in infected people usually before symptoms appear those with weak immune systems or chronic HBVirus, it WILL remain positive active and CAN infect others. It gets very confusing at times but, everytime Wil gets tested that's one of our first questions is the virus active with the e- antigen b'cuz it is also actively destroying his liver.The meds he is on has slowed this process but, cannot build the antibodies to protect him or stop the process anymore. From what we have been told Hep B cannot change into C but, u can also develope H. Hep C and B if both chronic have the same outcome and prognosis in the long run if not caught early for treatment. Hep B if caught early can go into remmission. However, not a cure as of yet! Just like C

 Hope this helps a little I'm still learning as well. Off of my post YES what a relief and yes miss started her vaccine shots, and yes I'm pretty sure she did this purposely but, I am taking her to OBGYN on 23rd to get back on pill. Oh I puchased big box of protection! Wil just laughed and said he would wear 2 if he had too. It scared him as well!

Huggs and smooches

Toni

Posted 6/14/2008 11:48 PM (GMT 0)

Thanks for the replies, Cary and Toni.  Cary, I always heard and was told that chronic hep C (tested positive, but not active) was not transmissible.  Can you point me to a source that says otherwise?  (Not that it would matter for me, since I'm active.)

Toni, I'm so glad to hear that Miss is getting her Hep B shots and will be getting back on BC pills!

Hugs,

Connie

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