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6.  Can't get enough? Connect with us for all things health.
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11.  Is Hepatitis C Sexually Transmitted?
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14.  Hepatitis C is typically contracted through contact with blood. More rarely, the virus may be transmitted through contact with other bodily fluids.
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18.  Hepatitis C is a contagious liver disease caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV). This disease can be passed from person to person.
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22.  About 2.4 million people in the United States have HCV. Many of them do not know they have it since they don’t experience symptoms. During this time, they can unknowingly pass the virus on to their partners.
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26.  As with many infections, HCV lives in blood and bodily fluids. You can contract hepatitis C through exposure to the blood of someone who has it. It can also be transmitted by contact with bodily fluids, like saliva or semen, but this is rare.
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31.  What are the chances of hepatitis C being transmitted sexually?
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34.  Researchers in one
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36.  2013 study
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38.  found that 1 out of every 190,000 instances of heterosexual sexual contact led to HCV transmission. Participants in the study were in monogamous sexual relationships.
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42.  HCV may be more likely to transmit through sexual contact if you:
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47.  Can you get hepatitis C from oral sex?
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50.  There’s no evidence that HCV can be transmitted through oral sex. However, it may still be possible if blood is present from either the person giving or receiving oral sex.
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54.  For example, a slight risk may exist if any of the following are present:
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58.  Though sexual transmission is rare overall, HCV may be more likely to transmit through anal sex than oral sex. This is because rectal tissue is more likely to tear during intercourse, according to the earlier mentioned
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60.  2013 study.
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69.  How is hepatitis C transmitted?
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72.  According to the United States Department of Health and Human Services, sharing needles is the most common way somebody can contract hepatitis C.
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76.  Less common ways include sharing personal hygiene products with someone who has hepatitis C, like:
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80.  The virus cannot be transmitted through casual contact, like sharing a cup or eating utensils with someone who has it. Hugging, holding hands, and kissing also will not transmit it. You cannot contract hepatitis C from someone sneezing or coughing on you.
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84.  Breastfeeding and chestfeeding cannot transmit HCV to a baby, but babies born to a birthing parent with hepatitis C are more likely to have the virus. If a birthing parent has hepatitis C, there is a 1 in 25 chance they will transmit the virus to their baby.
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88.  If the non-birthing parent has hepatitis C, but the birthing parent does not, the virus will not be transmitted to their baby. It’s possible that a non-birthing parent could transmit the virus to the birthing parent, which could then be transmitted to the baby.
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92.  Whether the baby is delivered vaginally or via cesarean delivery does not affect the risk of transmitting the virus.
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97.  Who’s at risk for hepatitis C?
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100.  Having HIV and hepatitis C at the same time is common. Anywhere from
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102.  50 to 90 percent
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104.  of people who use IV drugs and have HIV also have hepatitis C. This is because both conditions have similar risk factors, including needle sharing and sex without a condom or other barrier devices.
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108.  People who have injected illegal drugs are at the greatest risk, according to the
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110.  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
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116.  If you received a blood transfusion, blood products, or an organ transplant before July of 1992, you might be at risk for HCV. Before this time, blood tests were not as sensitive to HCV, so it’s possible to have received blood or tissue with the virus.
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120.  Those who received clotting factors before 1987 are also at risk.
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125.  How to reduce your risk for hepatitis C
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128.  A vaccine to protect against HCV does not currently exist. But there are ways to prevent transmission.
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132.  Avoid engaging in IV drug use and be cautious with all procedures that involve needles.
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136.  You should not share needles used for tattooing, piercing, or acupuncture. The equipment should always be carefully sterilized for safety. Sterile equipment should also be used in a medical or dental setting.
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140.  If you’re sexually active with a person who has hepatitis C, there are ways that you can prevent contracting the virus. Likewise, if you have the virus, you can avoid transmitting it to others.
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144.  A few steps you can take to reduce the likelihood of sexual transmission include:
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148.  If you have hepatitis C, you should be honest with all sexual partners about your status. This ensures that you’re both taking the proper precautions to prevent transmission.
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152.  You can learn more on Healthline’s page about dating with hepatitis C.
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157.  Getting tested
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160.  If you think you’ve been exposed to HCV, it’s important to get tested. The hepatitis C antibody test, also known as the anti-HCV test, measures a person’s blood to see if they’ve ever had the virus.
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164.  If a person has ever contracted HCV, their body will make antibodies to fight against the virus. The anti-HCV test looks for these antibodies.
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168.  If a person tests positive for antibodies, doctors usually recommend more tests to see if that person has active hepatitis C. The test is called an RNA or PCR test.
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172.  You should visit your doctor regularly to have an STI screening if you’re sexually active. Some viruses and infections, including hepatitis C, may not cause symptoms for several weeks after exposure.
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176.  In the time it takes for the virus to be symptomatic, you may transmit it to a sexual partner without knowing it.
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181.  The bottom line
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184.  Although sexual contact isn’t the most common way for a person to contract hepatitis C, it can happen.
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188.  It’s important that you ask your sexual partners to be tested regularly and that you practice sex using condoms and other barrier devices.
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192.  Regular testing and using barrier devices during sex will help keep you and your sexual partners healthy.
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196.  Read this article in Spanish.
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208.  Share this article
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212.  The genus chlamydia includes several species that affect humans and other animals. The most well-known, chlamydia trachomatis, is sexually transmitted.
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218.  Here are 6 options for getting STI treatment online. In some cases, you may even be able to get treatment without getting tested first.
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224.  Trichomoniasis, sometimes called “trich,” is a common sexually transmitted infection. sexy spa kits It can be cured with antibiotics.
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230.  Trichomoniasis is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by a parasite. In pregnant women, it can cause serious childbirth complications.
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236.  The HPV vaccine is the best preventive measure against HPV, including oral HPV. Here's what you should know.
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242.  STDs and STIs affect many people, but many people with a penis don't know they've acquired a condition that's affecting their health. Learn the risks.
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248.  OUR BRANDS
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251. My website: https://www.healthline.com/health/pregnancy/infections-trichomoniasis?utm_source=ReadNext