hi i am a 29 year old woman, considering starting a relationship with a man who was recently diagnosed with hep c. I was thinking it over, and if before we have sex, i check him for visible cuts and scrapes, then surely he wont be able to infect me, or could blood be passed by cuts too small for the eye to see. As concerns kissing, im told its very low risk, but how low exactly?. I have read you would both need open bloody cuts/wounds in mouth to pass the blood. What does this mean in practical terms. For example, i often bite my lip, so that may mean i have open skin on my lip. all it would need was for him to have the same (like a bitten lip) to transmit the hep c. Any advice appreciated, as really dont want to catch this.
Hi, Welcome to Chat Doctor, I understand your concern, Hepatitis C is a viral disease mainly transmitted through blood such as unsafe blood transfusions, unsterile needles etc., and by sexual route(very Less). Kissing can transmit the disease, but it is very minimal risk and small cuts or biting lips are also considered as open wounds, so this may transmit. Before going to final decision check his antibodies level for Hep C, if he is still in active phase of infection he can start on antivirals it will decrease the infectivity. During sex all the precautions such as using condoms should be followed and monogamous relationship will decrease the chance of infection. Consult your physician before taking the final call. Hope this information helps you. Have a nice day and take care.