How is hepatitis C passed on?

The hepatitis C virus is passed on through blood to blood contact. Although it can be found in cum, this isn't in large enough quantities to infect someone else.  

The easiest way for hepatitis C to be passed on during sex is when blood is exchanged between people. For example, bareback sex, sharing sex toys from arse to arse and fisting that cause tears or trauma of any kind.

Hepatitis C can stay active and infectious in dried blood outside the body for quite a long time. In this way it’s different to HIV, which dies quickly outside our bodies.

Prevention

Using condoms for anal sex and latex gloves for fisting can help lower the risk of picking up or passing on the virus. It's also a good idea not to share sex toys. Alternatively, cover them with a fresh condom for each person they're used on.

Increasing the risk

There are other things that make getting or passing on hepatitis C more likely:

  • if the person you have sex with has a high hepatits C viral load, as there will be more virus present
  • sharing drug injecting equipment
  • sharing razors
  • if the person you have sex with has another sexually transmitted infection (STI) that has caused ulcers or inflammation.

Who is most at risk?

Among gay men, you're most at risk from hepatitis C if you're over 40 and have HIV. 

If you have both HIV and hepatitis C, you face a greater chance of dying from liver disease.

Symptoms

It can take years for any symptoms to appear.

The most common symptom that people experience is chronic fatique. Other symptoms may include:

  • weight loss
  • loss of appetite
  • anxiety
  • difficulty concentrating
  • flu-like symptoms
  • alcohol intolerance
  • pain in the liver area.

Testing and treatment

You can ask to be tested for hepatitis C at most sexual health clinics. Your HIV clinic may also offer it, if it offers sexual health screenings. 

There is treatment available for hepatitis C, but it doesn’t always work. Treatment usually has to be taken for six months to a year. It can be awkward, as it involves having to inject yourself and some people do get serious side-effects. 

After treatment, about half of those infected will be clear of the infection and no longer carrying it. Others may be able to have further rounds of treatment. But treatment won’t work for everyone.

Further information

You can find out more about hepatitis C at www.hepctrust.org.uk