How Long I Have To Wait To Get Hep C Test After An Unprotected Sex?

Posted on Thu, 12 Jun 2014

Question: My girlfriend and I always used condoms then we got tested for STDs so we could have bareback sex. We discovered she has Hepatitis C. We kept on using condoms and now have broken up. I would like to get tested again to see if I got it. How long should I wait? In the meantime is it safe to have sex (using condoms) with someone new.

Thanks very much

Answered by Dr. Sanjay Kumar Kanodia (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Testing can be done between 50 -60 days

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Welcome and thanks for posting your query to the forum.

I can understand your concern for the Hepatitis C and related issues.

In general I suggest my clients to get tested for Hepatitis C after 50 days of exposure. To be more on safer side and in more anxious persons I suggest to go at 60 days also.

So you can for testing accordingly. Let em know from your side when you have had last relationship with your girlfriend so that accordingly the time can be decided.

The best part in your history is that you used condoms in every of sexual relationship making you on safer side. Also to relax you more that Hepatitis C most commonly spreads by blood to blood contact so the chances of contracting the disease is least likely.

In the mean time you can have safer sex by using condoms.

I hope these informations will help you. I will be glad to answer any further of your queries.

Regards,

Dr Sanjay Kumar Kanodia
MD (Dermatology and Sexually transmitted diseases)

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Sanjay Kumar Kanodia (49 minutes later)

Dear Dr Kanodia

Thank you very much for your helpful answer.

My new girlfriend is a nurse and would like to know your hospital affiliation.

I assume you are saying it is better to be tested twice. At 50 and 60 days. Wouldn't one test at 60 days be sufficient?

Thanks again.

Answered by Dr. Sanjay Kumar Kanodia (12 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Testing at 60 days of probable exposure

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Welcome again to the forum and thanks for asking further queries.

Regarding my hospital affiliation- I am Associate Professor in department of Dermatology at NIMS Medical College; NIMS university; Jaipur-Rajasthan (India).

For the testing- it is not to be done at 50 and 60 days ( not twice). I mean to say that it is to be done between 50-60 days. To clarify it- We many a time find that patients are bit confused about the exact date of last sexual exposure. When the testing is done then sometimes we observe that patients say it as 45 days or 51 days. Therefore to avoid any confusion and especially to reduce the anxiety of days we prefer to say a range between 50-60 days so that patient should remain at ease regarding gap between exposure and testing period.

SO probably you got that it is a range and not testing at 50 and 60 days. For yourself on the safest of side you can go at 60 days of probable exposure. In my clinical experience it would be coming negative and you are clear from HCV because of use of condoms.

For future aspect also I want to guide you to always use safer sex practice by condoms.

I hope these informations will help you. I will be glad to answer any further of your queries or if not then can close the query and rate the answer.

Regards,

Dr Sanjay Kumar Kanodia
MD (Dermatology and Sexually transmitted diseases)

Note: Consult a Sexual Diseases Specialist online for further follow up- Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar