Hep C

[anonfuck28]

Have been wondering this on and off for a few weeks now.

We all love to BB and personally cant beat the feeling of a raw cock in me, Hep C is always at the back of my mind after a good breeding but wondered if other guys actually worry about Hep C?

I had a friend who caught Hep C from a sex party once and although he got cured, it was a pretty rough ride for him as the treatment can have some nasty side effects

Does anyone actually worry about Hep C now-a-days?

[wood]

Have been wondering this on and off for a few weeks now.

We all love to BB and personally cant beat the feeling of a raw cock in me, Hep C is always at the back of my mind after a good breeding but wondered if other guys actually worry about Hep C?

I had a friend who caught Hep C from a sex party once and although he got cured, it was a pretty rough ride for him as the treatment can have some nasty side effects

Does anyone actually worry about Hep C now-a-days?

http://www.poz.com/articles/sexual_transmission_HCV_401_25673.shtml

It is an issue, but much more so for HIV+ people. Sexual transmission can occur, but its not as common as you may think. What you really need for sexual transmission is blood to blood contact. It can definitely happen but HCV is much harder to transmit than HEP B, and even more so than HIV.

HCV is a big issue, and curing it is not easy. However normal bareback sex with enough lube is unlikely to cause transmission. Activities like fisting, and anything involving blood or injections drugs are however much more likely to cause transmission. Also unlike HIV. HCV does survive for a long time outside of the body so even things like dried blood can pose a risk.

I know a family friend whose straight father contracted it in late 80's from using the same bills while snorting cocaine. So it transmission is both more difficult in some ways and easier than others than HIV.

[FillMyArse]

I didn't even think about Hep C before... But have very recently, in the last month, been diagnosed with it. Like your mate, most likely contracted it at a sex party - I had been to several over the last 6 months and I was being a proper cumdump but NOT under the influence of alcohol or drugs. One the parties I had 20+ guys fuck me. Don't know how many cum but one of the last guys to fuck me commented how full my arse was with cum!!

The diagnosis was a shock to me... And trying to find info about treatment even more of a shock, because there's nothing nice to say about the treatment... all the sources seem to say the side effects are pretty hard going. In the UK, the new drug released by the pharmaceutical company Gilead is only being given to those who are very sick with Hep C.

Am now awaiting an appointment with a liver specialist and my local GUM clinic have advised that I'll be waiting 6 months to see if my body can clear the virus itself before going on treatment. I have absolutely no symptoms at the moment and if it wasn't for the fact I get tested for a full STD screen religiously every 3 months it could have very easily gone on undetected. I'm also going to speak to the guys at 56 Dean Street (GUM clinic in the heart of Soho, London that I've been recommended to go to by bearbandit as they are one of the countries specialists on Hep C treatments here) who may well be able to offer me more advice.

It's kinda changed how I view sex quite a bit. I was probably a bit of a HIV bugchaser before my Hep C diagnosis if I'm totally honest - knowingly got fucked by poz guys and even turned on with the ones I knew weren't on meds. But my last test was still HIV negative but am still in the 3 month window period of detection. And now I certainly want to stay negative. And I certainly wouldn't want to put HIV poz guys at risk as I've read that HIV/HepC co-infection is particularly horrible to deal with.

The sex I am getting now is condoms only and the only people who know I'm hep C poz are the recent BB fucks I've been able to contact to tell them to get tested (one of whom was very uneducated saying he was vaccinated even after me telling him there is no vaccine for Hep C), a couple of very close friends and anyone I may still meet via here or BBRT (but with condoms).

Since being diagnosed I have put my Hep C poz status on my profiles here and on BBRT. Still getting the profile views but oh how my Oinks and private messages have dropped!!! Talk about feeling like a leper!

Just out of interest, I put a post on CL simply asking would you fuck a Hep C poz guy. Only 3 replies so far... but very varied answers... No, Yes but safe, and a simple yes but with pics attached of him having BB sex.

Overall, I'm still getting my head around being Hep C poz, which you might be able to tell from my post as reading it back seems as jumbled as what my head is! Also knowing that if I do need to go onto treatment, the genotype I have (1a) is a 48 week course. Too many thoughts going around my head about it all including keeping the news from colleagues and family, which I have my own personal reasons for not wanting to disclose to them.

[fillmyholeftl]

Great posting "wood" exactly what I was writing...

http://www.poz.com/articles/sexual_transmission_HCV_401_25673.shtml

It is an issue, but much more so for HIV+ people. Sexual transmission can occur, but its not as common as you may think. What you really need for sexual transmission is blood to blood contact. It can definitely happen but HCV is much harder to transmit than HEP B, and even more so than HIV.

HCV is a big issue, and curing it is not easy. However normal bareback sex with enough lube is unlikely to cause transmission. Activities like fisting, and anything involving blood or injections drugs are however much more likely to cause transmission. Also unlike HIV. HCV does survive for a long time outside of the body so even things like dried blood can pose a risk.

I know a family friend whose straight father contracted it in late 80's from using the same bills while snorting cocaine. So it transmission is both more difficult in some ways and easier than others than HIV.

[wood]

I didn't even think about Hep C before... But have very recently, in the last month, been diagnosed with it. Like your mate, most likely contracted it at a sex party - I had been to several over the last 6 months and I was being a proper cumdump but NOT under the influence of alcohol or drugs. One the parties I had 20+ guys fuck me. Don't know how many cum but one of the last guys to fuck me commented how full my arse was with cum!!

It's kinda changed how I view sex quite a bit. I was probably a bit of a HIV bugchaser before my Hep C diagnosis if I'm totally honest - knowingly got fucked by poz guys and even turned on with the ones I knew weren't on meds. But my last test was still HIV negative but am still in the 3 month window period of detection. And now I certainly want to stay negative. And I certainly wouldn't want to put HIV poz guys at risk as I've read that HIV/HepC co-infection is particularly horrible to deal with.

Really interesting. So you are HIV- (as of your last test) but contracted HCV. If you dont mind my asking, did you ever have bleeding during or after sex? Also did you do any other activity like extensive fingering, or fisting? Obviously taking all loads in a bathhouse is a recipe for all sorts of stuff, but from what I read transmission to an HIV- person through sex is somewhat rare.

One thing I have also noticed is that people in the UK seem to be more aware of their HCV status than guys in the US. I have noticed many profiles and ads before that will say things like undetectable, but only HCV neg guys.

[FillMyArse]

Really interesting. So you are HIV- (as of your last test) but contracted HCV. If you dont mind my asking, did you ever have bleeding during or after sex? Also did you do any other activity like extensive fingering, or fisting? Obviously taking all loads in a bathhouse is a recipe for all sorts of stuff, but from what I read transmission to an HIV- person through sex is somewhat rare.

One thing I have also noticed is that people in the UK seem to be more aware of their HCV status than guys in the US. I have noticed many profiles and ads before that will say things like undetectable, but only HCV neg guys.

Yes I'm still HIV- as at my test, but still within the window period so will see at my next test for a definite answer (given my sexual antics have plummeted since my Hep C diagnosis, it will be a far more accurate result)

I have never noticed any bleeding, but the amount of sex I was getting at the sex parties, I'm guessing it's reasonable to assume that some bleeding would have occurred. I had tried fisting in the past. But was never successful with it - still too tight! lol.

As for fingering, not really been a fan, although one on one with guys would usually start by fingering but nothing too heavy. At the sex parties, no fingering, just cock.

I also knew HCV transmission to a HIV- person is indeed rare, but I am (unfortunately) proof it's certainly not impossible.

[wood]

Yes I'm still HIV- as at my test, but still within the window period so will see at my next test for a definite answer (given my sexual antics have plummeted since my Hep C diagnosis, it will be a far more accurate result)

I have never noticed any bleeding, but the amount of sex I was getting at the sex parties, I'm guessing it's reasonable to assume that some bleeding would have occurred. I had tried fisting in the past. But was never successful with it - still too tight! lol.

As for fingering, not really been a fan, although one on one with guys would usually start by fingering but nothing too heavy. At the sex parties, no fingering, just cock.

I also knew HCV transmission to a HIV- person is indeed rare, but I am (unfortunately) proof it's certainly not impossible.

From what you have said so far, it would seem like someone who fucked you had a dick that was bleeding or had open sores. HCV is sometimes in semen, but not like HIV is.

Heres another article about HCV transmission. Based on this it would seem like many men would be infected, reagrdless of HIV status, but who knows.

Not gonna lie, it scares me a bit that you got it and you are HIV- I guess I will keep the idea of sex parties on the back burner.

http://www.hcvadvocate.org/hcsp/articles/Donovan-1.html

Edited June 12, 2014 by wood

[FillMyArse]

From what you have said so far, it would seem like someone who fucked you had a dick that was bleeding or had open sores. HCV is sometimes in semen, but not like HIV is.

Heres another article about HCV transmission. Based on this it would seem like many men would be infected, reagrdless of HIV status, but who knows.

Not gonna lie, it scares me a bit that you got it and you are HIV- I guess I will keep the idea of sex parties on the back burner.

http://www.hcvadvocate.org/hcsp/articles/Donovan-1.html

Cheers for posting the link, and the previous one too... both were interesting reads. Lots of statistics but then you start to feel like just a number! I guess the simple message is, look after your health, as even something that seems to be rare can be all too easy to get given the right environment for transmission!

[tboyer]

Have been wondering this on and off for a few weeks now.

We all love to BB and personally cant beat the feeling of a raw cock in me, Hep C is always at the back of my mind after a good breeding but wondered if other guys actually worry about Hep C?

I had a friend who caught Hep C from a sex party once and although he got cured, it was a pretty rough ride for him as the treatment can have some nasty side effects

Does anyone actually worry about Hep C now-a-days?

I've had a number of guys cum inside of me who had HEP-C, and probable some who I didn't know had HEP-C, and I still don't have HEP-C. I don't worry about it, because

there's nothing I can do anyway. A guy may lie, or may not know if they have HEP-C. I will say it does increase the sexual tension if I know that the guy who is cuming

inside me has HEP-C

[wood]

I've had a number of guys cum inside of me who had HEP-C, and probable some who I didn't know had HEP-C, and I still don't have HEP-C. I don't worry about it, because

there's nothing I can do anyway. A guy may lie, or may not know if they have HEP-C. I will say it does increase the sexual tension if I know that the guy who is cuming

inside me has HEP-C

While I believe you anecdotal evidence is just that. Statistics and facts tell a more realistic story. Right now it seems like the rate of HCV infections that are sexually transmitted is rising. The rate of new infections in the US is about 17k last year, with an estimated 15-20% of those attributed to sexual acts. So we are talking roughly 3,000 infections, which I bet most are gay men.

Now obviously thats nothing compared to the 50,000 new HIV infections yearly, but HCV is a real bitch, and while its "curable" now. Its not easy or cheap.

[Bottom Jim]

When I asked my doctor he told me that it is really only transmitted by blood to blood. He said be careful to use lube and avoid anyone with an open sore. Otherwise okay.

he also said that the medication is highly expensive ( like 2 grand a month)

[bbzh]

I'm happy to see a post about this. Gay men seem far more interested in monitoring their HIV status than their Hep C status. And it is very easy to contract Hep C if you engage in fisting or group sex. I've even read a statistic that 1 in 4 HIV+ guys are Hep C positive and have no clue. The reason? Most Hep C positive guys are asymptomatic. Also Hep C is enough to worry about, but if you have HIV/Hep C co-infection, the progression to cirrhosis, liver disease or liver cancer is much faster.

 

I could see how it could be very easily and quickly transmitted at a sex party. Let's assume a top or a bottom has had rough sex and the anal lining gets torn. The top passes it to him. Then the bottom passes it to the next top who fucks him. And so on and so on.

 

The good news is that Hep C can be cured, but the drug companies are charging upwards of $1,000 per pill. The standard treatment is 12 weeks. Or $84,000. The insurance companies are asking doctors to warehouse patients until prices fall so only those who have sustained serious liver damage are getting the medication it seems.

 

It's easy to lump all STD's in one category, but Hep C is the one that is silently attacking the barebacking community. Get tested!

[barehole4use]

I know a guy who has it & he is a bigger slut then me, He never tells his partners that he's got it but gets fucked a hell of a lot. So god only knows how many guys get it in this way.

[mike_thieriot]

@FillMyArse, you mention a three month window period. Are they still using antibody assays for primary screening in the UK? Here in Alberta the provincial lab uses some kind of test that's halfway between antibody and PCR, with a detection window of iirc 1-2 weeks, but in principle a true PCR test could identify HIV in the blood within days (I think I heard 3 days for the newest tests).

[wood]

I'm happy to see a post about this. Gay men seem far more interested in monitoring their HIV status than their Hep C status. And it is very easy to contract Hep C if you engage in fisting or group sex. I've even read a statistic that 1 in 4 HIV+ guys are Hep C positive and have no clue. The reason? Most Hep C positive guys are asymptomatic. Also Hep C is enough to worry about, but if you have HIV/Hep C co-infection, the progression to cirrhosis, liver disease or liver cancer is much faster.

 

I could see how it could be very easily and quickly transmitted at a sex party. Let's assume a top or a bottom has had rough sex and the anal lining gets torn. The top passes it to him. Then the bottom passes it to the next top who fucks him. And so on and so on.

 

The good news is that Hep C can be cured, but the drug companies are charging upwards of $1,000 per pill. The standard treatment is 12 weeks. Or $84,000. The insurance companies are asking doctors to warehouse patients until prices fall so only those who have sustained serious liver damage are getting the medication it seems.

 

It's easy to lump all STD's in one category, but Hep C is the one that is silently attacking the barebacking community. Get tested!

Personally I am surprised that more providers are not testing for HCV.  Even where I go which is a VERY well respected forward thinking institution in a major city only recommends tests for HCV at their clinic locations if they were born before 1975 iirc, and if they were intravenous drug users. 

 

I get the tests often, and ironically they make me more nervous that the HIV tests now since I am on PrEP.