Can HCV be transmitted through oral sex?

Question

Hello doctor,

I had oral sex with a girl of unknown HIV status. I had ruled out HIV through ELISA and VDRL after 12 weeks of exposure. It is non-reactive. I had ruled out anti-HCV (ELISA card method) after ten weeks of exposure, and the test was non-reactive. Can you tell me if HCV is passed by oral sex? Is there a need for any further HSV antibody testing?

Kindly help.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

HCV (hepatitis C virus) is transmitted by blood-to-blood contact, and a small percentage (0 to 3 %) of people acquire HCV through unprotected sexual intercourse. Although there are no cases in the published literature of HCV acquisition via oral sex, theoretically, the risk is there if there was any fresh blood, bleeding gums, or sores in the mouth or throat infection present in the person who gave oral sex. I suggest you get an HCV antibody test. A person with herpes can transmit it to another person during oral sex. I suggest you can, therefore, also undertake HSV-1 (herpes simplex virus-1) and ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) IgM (immunoglobulin M) and IgG (immunoglobulin G).

Hope your queries were answered.

If you still have any other questions, please feel free to ask or call.

Best wishes.