the general understanding is that this disease is not typically transmitted sexually. you should not share a toothbrush, and if you look around on this site a bit more, you'll find out all the do's and do not's. Just because you are positive, does not mean you have symptoms, many people go for 30 - 40 years with this disease and don't know it. One in fifty americans have it, and many don't know it. That's why it's called the "silent killer"...good luck to you, come back often, look around, you'll find out just about everything you need to know. xo

There are some people who have Hep C for decades and never know - thus the name "the silent killer".
Hep C is a blood-to-blood transmitted condition; Hep B is not. When you were tested showing B and C, it could have been just for antibodies which mean that at some point, you had them. Testing negative for B later could mean that you had B sometime in the past but cleared it. Now back to info on C.
There are tons of couples that find their partner has never been infected - sexual transmission is pretty tough, so just avoid any blood to blood situations. There are many people that just never know how they contracted the virus because they aren't among the most commen affected - blood transfusions, tattoos, etc. All it comes down to is this.
Where you got it really doesn't matter. You got it, so that's that. It's time to deal with it.

One big thing for YOU to keep in mind and to discuss in detail with your drs is your infertility issues and your future plans. You need to keep in mind that if you do elect to do treatment for Hep C, there are big issues with pregnancy afterwards.
Get full info from your drs in that regard - I think it's just a decent wait after you are finished that you MUST wait.
I don't know why but everyone should be getting the series of vaccine shots to protect themselves from Hep A and B. There is no excuse for anyone to get either, so if your husband has not had this vaccine, now's as good a time as any to get the shots. It's scary when you know how easy it is to contract them.

Everything about Hep moves slowly. The dr appts, the tests, the results, even the progression, so get ready to do alot of waiting.

You need to know your stage, your grade, your genotype, and your viral load. You want a liver biopsy as it's still the gold standard to know the condition of your liver. There are other "tests" that many claim are good but I don't see how any test can give you as good a picture as seeing an actual piece of your liver. You will find there are many who have had "tests" that say not too much damage or inflammation, and then the biopsy shows much worse condition of the liver. Push for a biopsy; it's vital and not a procedure that is major at all. Me, all I remember was the sound and then after a few hrs in recovery, I went home.

Once you have your biopsy results and all the other info, sit down with your liver specialist and discuss what is best for you, taking into consideration your plans with fertility/pregnancy issues. There are tons of females who have families with no problem, then decades later find that they have Hep C. The whole family tests and nobody else has Hep C.
There's one thing that you have going for you: you found out when you are very young. That's a super big plus if you elect to do treatment because it's been shown that the younger you are, the better your odds are to clear the virus. Also, when you find out your genotype, if you are type 2 or 3, that's another big plus because a high majority who have those types clear the virus.

I would not worry about transmitting the virus to your husband, but I am sure others on this site will have more on this topic that can reassure you.

HI I'm a nurse and first I will tell u that hep B can not clear, it is blood borne just like hep C, hep A is will clear on it's on, only. Now the good news it is 0.1% chance spread thru sex. I never did drugs or tatoo's or had a transfusion either but I did have Hep C and took Tx and have been clear for 6 years. My skin was very dry and the palms of your hands usually itched. I was tried everyday and took naps. My cousin has had Hep B for 25 years, it will lay dorment and then his liver functions go out of range and he takes meds for that. Don't use the toothbush of another person for their safety and yours.

Thank you very much for your words, it means a lot to me. I am so confused at this time, and mad at myself. I dont feel sick, I don't have any symptoms, and plus I never did drugs or tattoo, or had any blood transfers. Plus I am so mad at myself for letting my husband down, we wanted to have kids so bad, and I couldn't even finish with the fertility treatment. Even though he is very supportive, I don't want him to go through this. I never through I will be in this situation.

Hi Lana,

Everytone has given you great advice. I just wanted to welcome you and assure you also that sexual transmission is very rare. My husband and I have been together for 12 years and he is virus free.

I've been with wife for the whole time I've had hep C. No problems. She get's checked regularly and is negative. You can still have kids. There's like less than a 5%chance it will be passed on to your baby. Now while on treatment and for 6 months after tx, there's like a 95% chance your baby will have some serious defects. 2 forms of birth control recommended while on tx.

If you want to have a kid, have one. The Dr.'s are just being overly cautious. Clomid is very easy to get online. I'm not advocating you break the law, I'M JUST SAYING!!

I know at this point there is nothing that I can do, just to go forward with this, my plans for the treatment will have to wait, and I am pretty sure they will not do it if I ask. So we will keep trying on our own and just hope that it will happen.

Hi lana;I do not no how I have either but the dr said for 20 to 30 years,my wife did not have before she pasted and my girlfriend doent have it either,we just use safety by not useing eachothers tooth brush,ravers,finger nail clipers,and shes geting the a and b shot so shes safe,shes very supportive.get a biopcie that can tell you the damage to your liver,I hated to wait to but its worth it.I am just on 4th week of meds(tx).10 months left to go.thats a small price consitureing the rest of your life.you and your are in my prayers,we are in it to win it in Jesus Name!amen.rog

Hi Lanabilyk,
What a double whammy to be dealing with infertility and now Hep C. My husband of 32 years is currently on week 5 of tx. I have been tested and do not have hep c. This surprised me because we have shared razors, toothbrushes and have been through alot together. Yes, we have been very active with no transfer to me. Many years ago we went through years of infertility. We were blessed with one son, who is now 26. Would have liked to have had more children, but was not able to conceive again. I would recommend you relax about giving it to your husband, be sure to have him tested and be careful, but do not live in fear. I can certainly relate to your infertiliy and Hep c situation. Let me know if I can help!!!

Lanabilk if you want to have kids you should. I have been hep C for 15 years and did start treatment because I wanted to get pregnant. Well I did not get pregnant after a few years so i realize GOD wanted to me to deal with my medical condition.
I am on my 4mth of treatment and I am just now having some better days but in the end its worth it.
But get your liver biospy first and viral load
Again chose not to treat for yours because I wanted to get pregnant
Make sure you do a lot of research about this treatment there was a lot I did not know and I am planner and I would plan things differently,
Most people need at least the first 3 months off from the side effects.
Good luck

I have to disagree with having to have the first 3 months off due to the side effects.
Most people do not need time off, and most work while on tx with no issues relating to tx that cause missing any work.

I worked every single day while I was on tx. If I missed any work time, it was due to a dr's appt or maybe a dentist visit or a cold.

The sides from tx occur as the meds build up in your system. The bit of hair loss I had started in the 4th month. Some may start in the first few weeks, but others take longer and others may never occur with some people.
It just depends, but I would not schedule time off work ahead of starting tx. Wait to see what you need because if you just sit around while on tx, you will definitely feel WORSE. Keep moving around, keep active.