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Sex and HCV

Many people with HCV are worried about spreading the virus to their sex partners.  This Web page talks about how likely it is to spread the hepatitis C virus through sex.  If you have hepatitis C, it is not very likely that you will spread the virus through sex. But it is still possible.  That is why it is very important to talk honestly and openly with your sex partner. 

Can I give hepatitis C to my sex partner?
Yes, but it is not likely.  Compared to hepatitis B virus and the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), it is less likely that you will spread the hepatitis C virus to your sex partner. 

If you have one long-term sex partner, you do not necessarily need to change your sex habits. But, if either you or your partner is worried about the small chance of spreading the hepatitis C virus, you can use latex condoms.  This will make it almost impossible to spread the virus. Long-term partners of people with hepatitis C should get tested for the virus.  If the test is negative, you will probably not need to repeat it.

If you have more than one sex partner, you are more likely to spread the virus.  In this case, reduce the number of sex partners you have, practice safer sex, and always use latex condoms.  Are Condoms Foolproof, or for Fools?

When we treat others as sex objects and we exploit them for pleasure, we corrupt our character and degrade ourselves.  Good character includes honesty, fairness, decency, caring, self-control, etc.  Ignorance and denial do not invalidate truth.

We must realize that we can never reach our full potential while outside the realm of love for our fellow man. High-risk behavior depletes and displaces our spiritual energy. If we are to live in balance and harmony, and develop our relationship with our Higher Power, we must implement spiritual truth and deny ourselves misaligned behaviors and actions.

Sexual addiction disorders may be as hard to overcome as alcoholism or a severe drug habit. Just as we can develop our strengths, we can also fuel our weaknesses. Harboring ungodly thoughts or acting them out increases our vulnerability. Sexual addiction can become a progressive disorder. Focus on truth and try to do everything with the best intent for all.

Promiscuity, rape, incest, adultery, pornography use (magazines, videos, Internet), compulsive  masturbation, molestation, sexual harassment and prostitution are rampant. Committing these acts poisons good character.

Awareness and understanding are important, but need to be followed by action. When we free ourselves from denial, the decision to act constructively is almost automatic.

The first goal is to constantly recognize and acknowledge high-risk behavior; but then the work has just begun. Denial is both widespread and persistent. A greater education of the public is necessary if there is to be more awareness, clear recognition, and acceptance of the risks involved. It is a task that requires life-long effort, vigilance, and a focus on maintaining self-honesty through surrender.
 

Can I get hepatitis C through other types of sexual contact, such as oral and anal sex?
We do not know if the virus can be spread by oral or anal sex.  There is no proof that anyone has ever spread the virus through oral sex, although it may be possible.  Anal sex may damage the lining of the rectum, and make it easier to pass the virus through the blood.  Using condoms might help  to prevent spreading the hepatitis C virus, and they could give you some possible protection against other sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) and hepatitis B.

You can not spread the hepatitis C virus through other types of contact, such as hugging or kissing someone on the cheek. 

I know the hepatitis C virus is in my blood but is it in my saliva, semen or vaginal secretions?
Some studies show that the virus may live in your saliva, semen or vaginal secretions, but no one knows for sure.  We also don't know exactly how much of the virus may live in these bodily fluids, or if it can be passed on to sex partner(s) from these fluids.

 

If I have large amounts of virus in my blood, am I more likely to spread the disease to my sex partner?
Some studies suggest that a lot of the virus in the blood might make it easier to spread the virus.  But even with high levels of the virus, you are still not very likely to spread the virus through sex.  You do not necessarily have to change your sex habits if you have higher levels of the hepatitis C virus.

What kind of birth control methods will prevent the spread of the hepatitis C virus?
If you are worried about the small risk of spreading the virus through sex, you should use latex condoms.  Other types of birth control methods, like birth control pills, vasectomy, intrauterine devices (IUD's), or diaphragms do NOT decrease the risk of spreading the hepatitis C virus.

Can my partner get pregnant, and if so, what is the risk that the baby will get hepatitis C?
It is possible to get pregnant if you or your partner has hepatitis C.  If you are a male with hepatitis C, and your female partner does not have hepatitis C (throughout the entire pregnancy), then there is no chance that the baby will contract the virus from the mother.  If you are a pregnant female who already has hepatitis C (or gets hepatitis C at some point during the pregnancy), the chance of passing the virus to your baby is low, less than 5%.  The risk becomes greater if the mother has both hepatitis C and HIV. With proper prenatal care, babies born to hepatitis C positive mothers or fathers are usually quite healthy.

I am on combination treatment (ribavirin and interferon). Do I need to use birth control methods?
Yes! Ribavirin can cause severe birth defects, and you or your partner should NOT get pregnant while you are taking it.  If you are taking ribavirin to treat your hepatitis C, you must use two effective forms of birth control, one for you and one for your partner. For example: the man uses a condom, and the woman uses a diaphragm or birth control pill.  You must continue this type of birth control for 6 months after your last dose of combination treatment. 

What makes me more likely to spread the hepatitis C virus to my sexual partner (s)?

You may be more likely to spread the virus if you: 

1. do not use latex condoms 
2. have more than one sex partner 
3. have had sexually transmitted diseases (STD's) before 
4. also have another virus, such as HIV

 

How can I reduce the chances of spreading the hepatitis C virus through sexual contact?

To reduce this chance, use the following guidelines:

1. Have sex with only one person, or not at all.
 
2. Tell your sex partner that you have HCV and that it is unlikely, but still possible, to spread it to them.

3. Use latex condoms, correctly and every time, especially if: 
a)  you have more than one sex partner. 
b)  you have 'rough' sex which might make one of you bleed. 
c)  you have sex during your or your partner's menstrual period. 
d)  you have sex when you or your partner has an open sore or cut on your genitals. 

The risk of spreading hepatitis C to your sex partner is small.
 
If you can talk openly about the disease, and are careful and respectable with your sex life, you can have a safe, healthy, wonderful sex life.
 

Sex Addiction can involve a wide variety of practices.  Here are a few of the many organizations that offer additional help for sexual addiction.

The following statements regarding the organization's purpose are taken from the individual Websites.

• Codependents of Sexual Addiction (COSA): For friends and family members whose lives have been affected by another person's compulsive sexual behavior.
  Link to homepage of Codependents of Sexual Addiction (COSA).
  
   

• Sex Addicts Anonymous, S.A.A., is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other so they may overcome their sexual addiction and help others recover from sexual addiction or dependency. Sex Addicts Anonymous (S.A.A.)
  
   

• Sexaholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength, and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop lusting and become sexually sober. There are no dues or fees for SA membership; we are self-supporting through our own contributions. SA is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organization, or institution; does not wish to engage in any controversy; neither endorses nor opposes any causes. Our primary purpose is to stay sexually sober and help others to achieve sexual sobriety.
  Link to homepage of Sexaholics Anonymous (SA). (There are English, Spanish and German language versions at this web site.)
  
   

• Sexual Compulsives Anonymous is a 12-Step fellowship, inclusive of all sexual orientations, open to anyone with a desire to recover from sexual compulsion. We are not group therapy, but a spiritual program that provides a safe environment for working on problems of sexual addiction and sexual sobriety. We believe we are not meant to repress our God-given sexuality, but to learn how to express it in ways that will not make unreasonable demands on our time and energy, place us in legal jeopardy, or endanger our mental, physical or spiritual health. Members are encouraged to develop a sexual recovery plan, defining sexual sobriety for themselves. There are no requirements for admission to our meetings: anyone having difficulties with sexual compulsion is welcome.
  Link to homepage of Sexual Compulsives Anonymous (SCA).
  
   

• Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous (SLAA) is a Twelve Step, Twelve Tradition-oriented fellowship based on the model pioneered by Alcoholics Anonymous. One of the resources we draw on is our willingness to stop acting out in our own personal bottom-line addictive behavior on a daily basis. In addition, members reach out to others in the fellowship, practice the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, and seek a relationship with a higher power to counter the destructive consequences of one or more addictive behaviors related to sex addiction, addiction to love, dependency on romantic attachments, emotional dependency, and sexual, social and emotional anorexia. We find a common denominator in our obsessive/compulsive patterns which renders any personal differences of sexual or gender orientation irrelevant.
  Link to homepage of Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous (SLAA).
  
   

• Sexual Recovery Anonymous (SRA) is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop compulsive sexual behavior. There are no dues or fees for SRA membership; we are self-supporting through our own contributions. SRA is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organization, or institution; does not wish to engage in any controversy; neither endorses nor opposes any causes. Our primary purpose is to stay sexually sober and help others achieve sobriety. Sobriety is the release from all compulsive and destructive sexual behaviors. We have found through our experience that sobriety includes freedom from masturbation and sex outside a mutually-committed relationship. We believe that spirituality and self-love are antidotes to the addiction. We are walking towards a healthy sexuality.
  Link to homepage of Sexual Recovery Anonymous (SRA).
   

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