Risk from sex?
Hepatitis C is not generally regarded as a high risk for sexual transmission because there is typically only a 1 in 20 chance of passing on the virus through sexual intercourse. Couples are therefore advised that the use of condoms may reduce their risk further but their risk is low (5% risk) if they are in a stable monogamous sexual relationship with just each other.
Are you sexual practises putting you at a higher risk of infection?
It is important to remember there is a whole range of sexual practice world wide and there is no such thing as ‘normal' sex. What is normal for one person may be ‘risky' to the next. However, there are some sexual practices which are known to increase a person's risk of infection from Hepatitis C which are outlined below.
You should review your own sexual practises. Only you can truly decide if your sexual practises or lifestyle puts you at a higher risk of infection. If it does, you can start taking precautions or chose to change certain practices or aspects of your lifestyle if you wish to reduce the risk of infection from hepatitis C.
Higher risk sexual practises for hepatitis C
Certain sexual situations and practises are known to increase the risk of infection from hepatitis C such as:
- Adventurous sexual activities that may cause nicks, cuts or tears to the skin risking bleeding
- Having a number of sexual partners.
- Sex during menstruation
- Sexual activity overseas (even during short holidays) as sexually transmitted infections and Hepatitis C are more prevalent in certain counties overseas
It is therefore important that travellers
- are aware that a person infected with an STI, HIV or hepatitis B may appear to be perfectly healthy and may not even know they are infected
- avoid unprotected sexual intercourse with anyone other than a regular partner
- always use good quality condoms - this will reduce the likelihood of acquiring other STIs as well as HIV (condoms purchased abroad may be of poor quality)
- carry condoms rather than try to obtain them at the last minute
- appreciate that sex tourism (travel to a country with the explicit intention of having sex, commercial or otherwise, with men or women in that country) is hazardous. It has particularly been a source of infection with HIV and other STIs among UK residents travelling to Thailand
- remember that alcohol weakens inhibitions and makes precautions more easily forgotten
Oral sex
Hepatitis C may be passed on through oral sex as there is some limited evidence for this. Ulcers in the mouth may increase your risk.
Oral sex is now very common in both heterosexual and homosexual couples so take some precautions to reduce your risk. Use a condoms or ‘dental dams' during oral sex to reduce your risk of infection but it get rid of the risk altogether.
A commonly asked question is whether you can use a mouth wash to reduce your risk further. However, there is currently no evidence that using a mouth wash will reduce your risk of infection so stick with the condoms or dental dam.
Information provided by the UK Hepatitis C Resource Centre
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