The infection is transmitted through intimacy, blood transfusion, hemodialysis, surgery, manicure, tattooing, piercing, and when sharing hygiene items with the patient. The risk of infection increases significantly when living with a virus carrier in the same area. In this case, it is especially important to follow preventive advice to both the sick and the healthy person.
In this article, we will analyze what is the likelihood of contracting hepatitis C from a husband, and whether there are ways to avoid infection.
Infection through intimacy
The fact of infection becomes a problem not only for the virus carrier, but also for the people around him, especially those who are in close contact with him. The likelihood of contracting hepatitis C from a husband or wife increases if elementary safety rules are not followed, as a result of which the virus quickly passes to a healthy person.
It is important to remember that the maximum concentration of pathogens is in the blood, but it is also present in semen and vaginal secretions in a small amount.
The risk of infection of the sexual partner does not exceed 5%. When using a condom, the likelihood of transmitting the virus is reduced to almost zero.
The risk group includes married couples who prefer aggressive sex. It resulted in the fact that when the mucosa is injured, the infected blood comes into contact with the biological fluid of a healthy person. In this case, the likelihood of infection increases several times. Violation of the integrity of the integument can also be observed during anal sex.
In addition, the risk group includes those couples who do not refuse intimacy during menstruation. The man's health is at stake.
To minimize the likelihood of infection, both partners need to monitor the condition of the genital tract mucosa and undergo timely treatment of erosions and inflammatory diseases.
Can you get hepatitis C from your husband by kissing?
Saliva has a significantly lower content of pathogenic agents, and therefore infection through a kiss is extremely rare. However, it is worth remembering that with an exacerbation of the disease, the concentration of pathogens in biological media increases significantly, thereby increasing the risk of infection.
The probability of transmission of pathogenic agents increases in the presence of an injured mucosa in oral cavity.
If a spouse suffers from stomatitis, the virus can easily pass to the wife. It is especially dangerous when the integrity of the oral tissues is also broken in a woman. In this case, there is blood contact and direct transmission of the infection to the partner.
Transmission of infection in the home
It is important to remember that the risk of infection of a loved one is present not only through direct contact with him (sex, kiss), but also in everyday life. The probability of infection in this case is much less, but it must be remembered.
The causative agent can be stored in a drop of blood on a razor, scissors, toothbrush or washcloth. If a healthy person uses a contaminated object and injures the skin, then he can become infected. After the virus enters the systemic circulation, the incubation period begins, during which there are no clinical symptoms, and the disease is already developing.
To protect a loved one from infection, you must use only your own hygiene items.
Who is more dangerous: a virus carrier or a patient?
To figure out who is more dangerous in terms of infection - a patient or a carrier of infection, you need to have a general idea of them. A person with active hepatitis often becomes the cause of infection of the sexual partner. This is due to a high viral load, that is, a high concentration of the pathogen in the blood. A small amount of biological material is sufficient for infection.
If we consider the virus carrier, then it is not so dangerous. The fact is that with a high level of immune protection, pathogenic agents are contained in relatively small concentrations and are not capable of causing hepatitis. In this regard, infection occurs only after a large amount of blood has penetrated a healthy person.
Despite this, the risk of transmission of the virus is present in both cases, which requires the observance of preventive measures. To prevent the activation of pathogens, you need:
- completely exclude alcohol and low-alcohol drinks;
- adhere to dietary nutrition (table No. 5), due to which it is possible to reduce the load on the liver, restore the structure of hepatocytes (its cells), and also prevent cholestasis (bile stasis);
- limit physical activity and control your psycho-emotional state;
- monitor the activity of concomitant diseases, especially of an infectious nature;
- strictly control the dosage, as well as the duration of taking medications that are toxic to the liver.
Survey plan
A married couple must undergo a full examination at the stage of pregnancy planning.
To protect the baby from hepatitis, all precautions must be taken. Due to the fact that the transmission of pathogens occurs during labor, doctors recommend a caesarean section.
To identify the virus carrier, the following types of laboratory tests are prescribed:
- search for antibodies that are synthesized by the immune system in response to the penetration of infection into the body;
- detection of the genetic material of the pathogen in the blood;
- biochemistry - makes it possible to assess the severity of the disease based on the dynamics of changes in liver performance. For this, the level of alkaline phosphatase, transaminases (ALT, AST), albumin, total and bilirubin fractions is analyzed.
Laboratory diagnostics makes it possible to establish the fact of infection at the preclinical stage, which is extremely important for the early initiation of therapy. The severity of complications and the life expectancy of the patient depend on this.
As for instrumental diagnostics, it is not always informative. At the initial stage, there are no specific changes in the liver that indicate the disease. Only with its cirrhotic degeneration, areas of connective tissue are visualized in place of dead hepatocytes.
To determine the severity of changes in the organ, a biopsy or elastography is prescribed. Their task is a targeted study of the liver, which allows, in combination with laboratory tests, to confirm hepatitis C.
Preventive actions
Despite the daily contact of the spouses, there is still a chance to avoid infection. The main condition is to be careful and follow preventive advice to both partners. Unfortunately, 100% protection against infection is not possible, because to date, a specific vaccine against the pathogen has not yet been developed.
Here are the basic rules needed to prevent infection:
- monitor the condition of the genital mucosa and promptly treat diseases associated with a violation of the integrity of the integument (erosion, ulcers);
- avoid contact with the patient's blood when traumatizing the skin. The treatment of the wound should be carried out with gloves and the instruments should be thoroughly cleaned with disinfectants after manipulation;
- refuse intimacy during menstruation (if the wife is infected);
- use personal nail scissors, a razor and a towel;
- regularly undergo an examination, which includes a laboratory blood test. During the diagnosis, the viral load is established and the stage of the pathology is determined;
- consult a doctor when the first symptoms of concomitant diseases appear. This is necessary to prevent a decrease in immunity, because against this background an exacerbation of hepatitis is possible;
- strictly follow the doctor's prescription for the treatment of the disease;
- use condoms.
Unfortunately, many patients seek medical help at the stage of complications. Especially often healthcare workers, drug addicts, clients of dubious beauty salons, as well as people who need regular blood transfusions (blood experiences) suffer from infectious hepatitis.
If the infection of a woman from a spouse nevertheless occurred, it is important to remember that the pathogen cannot pass through the placental barrier. In this regard, pregnancy is not contraindicated for her. At the same time, the lactation period becomes dangerous if the mother has cracks in the nipples. In this case, HCV can be transmitted through the blood. Infection of an infant is accompanied by a rapid chronicity of the infectious and inflammatory process, which often cannot be completely cured.
A kiss is a sign of great and pure love, a way of expressing the most tender and sincere feelings. But according to doctors, kissing is not such a harmless activity. What infections are transmitted with it and what can be infected through saliva.
Kissing, loving people, in addition to the well-known herpes, can transmit a lot of different infections to each other.
Infection occurs only if there is damage to the mucous membrane in the mouth of kissing people. These can be bleeding gums, cracked lips, bites in the corners of the mouth, sores or inflammation. In addition to herpes, there is a risk of becoming infected with streptococcal, candidal, respiratory infections of the nasopharynx and even HIV. Can you get an STD through kissing? Unfortunately yes. Contact of the oral mucosa with oral sex increases the risk of contracting any disease that can be sexually transmitted. What can be infected through a kiss: syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, mycoplasma.
Fleeting, or closed social kisses, when contact occurs exclusively with closed lips, completely eliminate the risk of infection. And the so-called French, when people are in contact with an open mouth, from an epidemiological point of view, are considered the most dangerous.
What can be transmitted through kissing?
Most pathologies transmitted through saliva often look like a respiratory infection, and often even a specialist cannot identify them in the initial stage.
Cytomegalovirus infection
The causative agent is Cytomegalovirus hominids, belonging to the group of herpetic viruses. It is transmitted during kissing through saliva.
The disease at the initial stage in almost 70% of those infected is asymptomatic. In other cases, cytomegaly begins with a sharp increase in temperature, sore throat, nasal congestion. On the second or third day after infection, the lymph nodes in the neck increase. Unlike acute respiratory viral infection, cytomegaly is characterized by a long course: from two weeks to a month. The second special sign of the disease is that in men it does not manifest itself anymore, and in women, the organs of the genitourinary system are involved in the inflammatory process.
Risk group for infection:
- Pregnant.
- Newborns.
- Babies.
- People with chronic diseases.
Infectious mononucleosis
One of the most common viral latent human infections.
The source is a person infected with the Epstein-Barr virus. It is transmitted by airborne droplets, with the saliva of the infected.
According to clinical manifestations, the disease is similar to acute respiratory viral infection.
Symptoms:
- Fever.
- Nasal congestion.
- A sore throat.
- Edema and hyperemia of the nasopharyngeal mucosa.
After the disease, a distinctive and defining symptomatology appears:
- Pain in the epigastrium.
- Enlargement of the spleen, liver.
Disease risk group:
- Children.
- Adults weakened by stress, protracted illnesses.
- Patients after surgery.
Prevention:
- To prevent infection or virus carriers, parents should not kiss their children on the lips. The baby should have separate dishes and all other personal hygiene items.
- Adults recovering from viral and bacterial infections should refrain from kissing.
peptic ulcer
The source of infection is a carrier of Helicobacter pylori. This type of bacteria belongs to the group of anaerobes: it dies in the air, but lives, spreads and is transmitted with particles of saliva and mucus.
Infected with Helicobacter pylori most often in the family circle or in closely communicating groups. This happens when using common utensils, when elementary hygiene rules are not observed.
Transmission of the virus can occur from mother to child through saliva particles on a nipple, spoon, or other object.
Helicobacter pylori can be infected by kissing.
Risk group:
- People with reduced immune defenses.
- Suffering from dysbacteriosis.
The main method of preventing the disease is to strengthen the body by hardening, rational nutrition and, as prescribed by a doctor, taking drugs from the group of immunomodulators: Amiksin, Groprinosin, Kagocel, Viferon, Derinat.
Herpes
There are 8 types of herpeviruses. They are transmitted by airborne droplets, birth and sexual contact, household contact (handshakes, kisses, use of common objects).
A person is most often affected by two of them:
- I type (oral, labial) is transmitted through a kiss.
- Type II (genital, anogenital) is transmitted during anal, genital, oral sex.
The disease may not manifest itself for a long time, and only against the background of weakened immunity after hypothermia, overheating, alcohol or general intoxication, stress, past illnesses is manifested by rashes on the lips, nasal mucosa and oral cavity.
It is dangerous if rashes occur more than five times a year and affect not only the mucous membrane of the lips, but also other parts of the body. In this case, it is better to contact an immunologist and undergo a complete examination.
Other diseases
Kissing-borne infections also include:
- Syphilis. From contact with the saliva of a sick person after a month (exactly how long the incubation period lasts), a small ulceration appears in the mouth - a chancre. After that, the sublingual and submandibular lymph nodes begin to increase. The disease enters an advanced stage.
- Influenza and acute respiratory infections.
- HIV. Numerous studies have proven that components of viruses accumulate in the salivary glands of the carrier and are transmitted through a kiss from partner to partner. But this only happens if the kissing people have bleeding wounds on the mucous membranes.
- Caries can be transmitted from an adult parent to a child. Babies do not yet develop antibodies to this disease. Cariogenic bacteria transmitted through kissing increase the risk of developing the disease by 70%.
There are many benefits from kisses between loving people: from the activation of metabolic processes, the normalization of the acidity of the oral cavity to the production of the hormone of happiness and the full functioning of the heart and blood vessels. Kissing is good. The main thing is to avoid casual contacts, observe elementary hygiene rules, be attentive to your health and the health of others.
One of the topical issues of our time is whether HIV is transmitted through oral and tactile contact. Multiple medical studies indicate an extremely low probability of the body being affected by the immunodeficiency virus. It is also almost impossible to get an infection when using a condom.
In this case, the partners engage in, though not safe, but protected sex. However, there are cases when, during oral sex, the body was affected by an infection. To prevent this, it is important to know the structure and transmission of HIV. A characteristic feature of the virus is that it can be inside a person for decades, but at the same time not show any symptoms of presence. In this case, oral and regular sex is a great danger to a healthy sexual partner. In a healthy person, the immune system is able to cope with a variety of pathogenic microorganisms.
However, the constant presence of the virus has a depressing effect on the protective function. In the absence of treatment and maintenance therapy, the infection progresses and at the last stage it degenerates into AIDS. As you know, there is no cure for this disease, so the patient will inevitably die.
The peculiar structure of the virus causes genuine concern among the population, which is not surprising. After all, there are no people who want to contract an incurable disease. The fact that the virus is sexually transmitted is known to everyone, but whether HIV is transmitted through oral is worth finding out.
In medicine, the main factors and ways of transmitting the virus are distinguished:
- together with the blood of a sick person;
- with semen if there is unprotected vaginal or oral contact;
- from an infected mother during pregnancy to a child;
- through secretions from the genitals;
- through breast milk, unless the infant was infected at birth.
After analyzing the information, it is impossible to give an unambiguous answer to the question of whether it is possible to become infected with HIV through the mouth. The probability of damage is minimal, due to the inability of antibodies to survive outside the human body, but it still exists.
Doctors in this regard give only some recommendations and explain the risk factors. Neglect of the conditions described below will inevitably lead to infection. If oral sex ends with ejaculation in the mouth, then the chances of contracting HIV are quite high. The sperm of a sick man is a carrier of the virus, and, getting on the mucous membrane, contact with blood can occur, for example, in the presence of minor, sometimes invisible, damage to the cavity.
Often, excessive cleanliness plays against people who do not have a permanent sexual partner. With careful hygiene, there is a high probability of getting microtraumas: cracks, scratches, punctures of the mucous membrane of the genitals or mouth. It is through them that the virus can enter the body of a healthy person from the carrier of the infection.
Some are wondering if it is possible to get HIV through oral if cunnilingus is performed. Venereologists convince that it is practically impossible. However, if there is residual menstrual flow in a woman, then the chances of infection increase, because they can become a source of transmission of the virus. The only way to avoid contracting an incurable disease is through sexual or oral contact using a condom.
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Given that the virus can live hidden in the body, and none of the partners will know about it, it is advisable to take preventive measures to prevent infection, doctors provide the following recommendations for oral sex:
- After oral hygiene, at least 2 hours must elapse before contact. This time is enough to stop the bleeding of the gums in the presence of microtraumas.
- To protect yourself from injury to the oral mucosa, you should not eat foods that can injure the gums, palate or cheeks.
- In the presence of damage to the mucous membranes, contact should be postponed until the wound is completely healed.
- You should always use a condom.
Although cases of human infection with the immunodeficiency virus through oral contact are practically not diagnosed, it should be remembered that some sexually transmitted diseases are transmitted in this way very easily: chlamydia, syphilis, gonorrhea.
All this suggests that it is necessary to enter into any kind of contact only with a trusted partner, this will provide protection against infection. It also happens that there are people in the family or in the environment who have the virus. Then the natural question arises whether it is possible to get HIV when there is insignificant contact.
Doctors tell in which cases there is no likelihood of infection:
- If the virus carrier sneezed or coughed towards a healthy person.
- When shaking hands.
- During hugs.
- A kiss will be safe if there are no injuries in the oral cavity.
- Sharing household items such as dishes.
- Visiting the pool or bath, sauna.
- If a person was injected with a syringe in a public place or transport.
It is also necessary to know that in saliva and other human biological fluids, the concentration of the virus is very low. That is why through bodily caresses and joint life, cases of infection are practically not established. The only exception is the presence of blood particles in saliva, urine, semen.
In any case, it is very important to undergo timely medical examinations. Such diagnostics will allow early detection of various diseases and detection of AIDS. Now it has become clear whether it is possible to get HIV through oral, what are the methods of household transmission of infection and preventive measures.
Is it possible to get HIV through oral sex if the woman is sick and the man is healthy
It is quite a logical question whether it is possible to get HIV through oral sex if a woman is a carrier of the virus. To begin with, you should consider the situation when a woman provides caresses. It should be noted right away that in this scenario, a man can practically not worry about being infected.
But if, upon contact with the mucous membrane of the oral cavity, a woman has injuries, then infection can occur. But it is worth considering whether it is possible to become infected with HIV during oral sex, if a man provides caresses, and a woman is a carrier of the infection. In such a situation, the chances of infection of a healthy man are much higher. The fact is that the virus is not released into the saliva, but it is present in the composition of the vaginal discharge. But infection will occur only in the presence of injuries to the mucous membrane of the oral cavity of a man.
In their absence, the virus enters the stomach, where it completely dissolves in the existing juice. However, if unprotected anal intercourse occurs, then the probability of infection is more than 99%. Asking a similar question to a venereologist, a definite answer will not be given, because the probability, although small, but it exists. The likelihood that a healthy person will receive an immunodeficiency virus during oral caresses, subsequently progressing to AIDS, is minimized. Infection occurs only through unprotected vaginal contact, or through blood.
Is it possible to get HIV through a blowjob when a man has a virus in his body
Girls may be interested in whether it is possible to get HIV through a blowjob if a man is sick. It can be argued that with this approach, the likelihood of infection is practically absent. An exception is relationships in which the partner has injuries to the mucous membranes of the oral cavity.
Mixing with blood particles, the virus enters the body. The partner’s seminal fluid contains pathogenic antibodies, but if there was no ejaculation in the mouth, then the likelihood of infection is almost zero. Doctors still have not come to a consensus about whether it is possible to become infected with HIV through a blowjob. And there is an explanation for this: the concentration of the immunodeficiency virus in saliva is so low that, with a good protective ability, the body of a healthy person easily suppresses it. An increased risk is observed only with oral sex in the form of a blowjob and cunnilingus. But only if there is damage to the mucous membranes of a healthy partner.
It is not for nothing that AIDS and HIV are called the plague of this century. The virus is masked in the body of the carrier for a long time, and the person thinks that he is healthy, continuing to infect his partners. You can protect yourself from infection only by regularly undergoing examinations, including by a gynecologist, urologist and venereologist, as well as in the absence of promiscuity.
Almost all sexually transmitted diseases can be transmitted through oral sex, including even the human immunodeficiency virus. Of course, diseases transmitted through normal contact are more likely to infect a healthy partner than during oral sex, but this probability is not as small as it might seem at first glance. It would be a mistake to perceive oral intimate caresses as a method of preventing infection with a sexually transmitted disease, since, as medical practice shows, diseases that are most often transmitted through anal, vaginal contact are quite capable of “migrate” into the body during oral sex.
In view of the fact that over the past decades, the attitude of society towards oral sex has changed a lot and such caresses are now not only not considered “dirty”, “shameful”, “indecent”, but are also practiced by most married (and not only) couples, it becomes very important to know about this type of sexual relationship as much as possible. Today, oral sex is considered a completely normal, acceptable part of the intimate life of most people, it is regularly practiced, according to some reports, up to 90% of adults aged 20 to 40 years. Nevertheless, it is necessary to take into account a number of points associated with this kind of intimate caresses, we are talking about the likelihood of contracting sexually transmitted diseases during oral sexual contact.
1. Syphilis. If one of the partners has this disease, the risk of infection in a healthy person increases significantly, including during oral sex. It is believed that the probability of infection is higher in the "receiving", i.e. active partner. Hard chancre is the most characteristic manifestation of primary syphiloma, which is formed in any part of the body, at the site of penetration of the infectious agent. It is an ulcer, or erosion on the affected area, when it enters the body after oral sex, it is quite possible that they form on the lips, cheeks, tonsils, etc.
2. Gonorrhea. Equally threatens both partners during oral sex. This disease is so “sticky” (gonococcus is very mobile) that in most cases one contact, including oral, is quite enough to get it. The first signs of an infection are a strong burning sensation in the genital area, itching, characteristic discharge from the urethra, and redness and swelling may occur on the genitals. Approximately 3 weeks after infection, blood impurities can be detected in the urine. Among other things, oral-genital contact can lead to urethritis, gonorrheal pharyngitis, conjunctivitis, stomatitis, and men can also develop a complication - prostatitis. If left untreated, gonococcal infection can lead to blindness, since gonorrhea affects the mucous membrane of the eye.
3. Chlamydia. A very common sexually transmitted disease, including the possibility of infection during oral sex. A few decades ago, chlamydia was not considered a sexually transmitted disease, and it was not as common as it is now. The causative agents of this disease are chlamydia, which are able to penetrate from the pharynx and tonsils into the genitals. The highest concentration of the pathogen in the human body is the ureter, vagina, rectum, conjunctiva.
4. Herpes. Perhaps, it is one of the most common diseases, which is completely transmitted through sexual (including oral) contact. Most people are familiar with such manifestations of herpes as rashes on the lips, referred to as "colds", less known is the defeat of the genitourinary organs in men and women. The herpes virus, even in remission, is able to penetrate from the genitals into the mouth, and vice versa. It is characterized by the occurrence of itching, burning, pain and other unpleasant sensations.
5. HIV. As for the human immunodeficiency virus, then, of course, the risk of infection through oral contact is quite low, however, it still exists. Such cases have been registered in world medical practice.
How can you protect yourself and prevent sexually transmitted diseases through oral sex?
1. During oral sexual intercourse, a condom or a latex napkin for the female genitals should be used.
2. It is necessary to avoid oral sex in cases where the sexual partner has rashes, wounds, sores, abscesses on the genitals. You should not caress orally a woman if she is menstruating, there are other vaginal discharges.
Today, frivolity and light flirting is not considered a serious sin, so we easily make tactile contact with strangers. Many people allow themselves a simple kiss after drinking a glass of champagne, forgetting that many viral diseases can be infected through saliva. So what could be the danger of such a reckless act?
Today, many understand what casual sex can lead to. Protected sex has long been a guarantor of some security. However, an innocent kiss, experts are sure, can also lead to disastrous results. It is very easy to get infected through saliva. And in the list of possible diseases there are very formidable ailments that can even lead to death. Perhaps the information that will be given below will make many think about their behavior and help avoid unnecessary trouble.
What can be transmitted through saliva
The list of dangerous diseases that can be transmitted through saliva is long. You can list only the main and most dangerous. This:
- Herpes.
- Infectious mononucleosis.
- Ulcerative formations.
- Hepatitis B.
- Syphilis.
- bacterial meningitis.
In addition, salivary fluid is an ideal medium for the transmission of various viruses - human papillomavirus, as well as dangerous cytomegalovirus. Moreover, the symptoms of infection are very similar to the usual SARS, so a person does not immediately go to the doctor, bringing his own condition to a critical level. In men, such diseases are generally asymptomatic, but a woman who has become infected with the indicated viruses through saliva exposes herself to great danger also because complications affect the organs of the genitourinary system. Think about it and take note.
Is it possible to get AIDS through saliva?
Long-term studies have shown that it is impossible to get AIDS through salivary fluid. It contains the minimum dose of the immune virus, which, getting into the blood, cannot provoke the development of the disease. Scientists conducted repeated experiments that helped to prove that the paired salivary glands located in the oral cavity are not carriers of the noted disease.
To date, there has not been a single case of AIDS infection among family members who have not had sexual intercourse with each other. That is, AIDS does not spread by household means. However, this possibility cannot be ruled out. Do you know why? Because during a kiss, unforeseen situations can happen. An infected person is able to accidentally bite his tongue or gum, get hurt so that a drop of blood appears. So it will become a dangerous source of infection that can lead to a sad diagnosis.
Doctors warn that a simple innocent kiss can become a source of great danger, so do not neglect basic security measures, do not allow yourself to act rashly and easily make tactile contact with strangers.