Hepatitis C is a type of liver disease that can spread from person to person. hepatitis c test It is caused by the hepatitis C virus, otherwise known as HCV or hep C.
There is no current vaccine to protect against hepatitis C, although preventive measures can be taken to reduce a person's risk of contracting the disease.
Unprotected vaginal and anal sex can lead to contracting sexually transmitted infections (STIs), but people may wonder if the same applies to oral sex.
Hepatitis C is a viral disease and is contagious — is it possible to contract hepatitis C from oral sex?
Hepatitis C spreads through coming into contact with another person's blood. If infected blood from one person enters another person's bloodstream, hepatitis c treatment that person may become infected.
Overall, hepatitis c symptoms the risk of transmitting hepatitis C during any type of sexual activity is low. While highly unlikely, it could happen during oral sex if a person with hepatitis C has cracked and bleeding lips and the partner has an open wound.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), hepatitis C is not spread through kissing or saliva.
What is hepatitis C?
Hepatitis C is a virus that affects the liver.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), around 71 million people have chronic hepatitis C infections globally. Just under 400,000 people die from hepatitis C-related liver diseases every year.
Hepatitis C damages the liver cells, causing inflammation and scarring known as fibrosis, as well as liver cirrhosis. It can also cause liver cancer and liver failure.
Hepatitis C and oral sex
heterosexual couple kissing.
Broken skin around the mouth or gentials may increase the risk of hepatitis C spreading during oral sex.
Currently, there is no direct evidence to prove that hepatitis C is transmitted through oral sex alone. However, a person should still be cautious anytime blood is present because an infection can still occur.
If either sexual partner has a break in their skin, there may be a risk of blood passing from one person to the other.
Additional risk factors may include:
>.menstruation
>.bleeding from the mouth or gums
>.a throat infection
>.cold sores or canker sores
>.genital warts or herpes
>.damaged and cracked lips
>.The risk of contracting or passing hepatitis C from one person to another during oral sex is very low. >.This is particularly true of couples in monogamous relationships who have been tested for contagious diseases
Knowing how hepatitis C transfers from one person to another, as well as understanding safer sex practices, can further reduce a person's risk of infection.
Risk factors for contracting hepatitis C include:
>.a person has an acute HCV infection
>.a high viral load
>.individuals who have multiple sexual partners
>.not using barrier protection, such as condoms or dental dams, during sexual activity
>.damaging the skin from previous injuries or rough sexual activity
>.already having an STI or HIV
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320253.php
