Hep C Discussion Forum

 Is Sexually Transmitted Hepatitis C among HIV+ Gay Men Leveling Off in Amsterdam?   

The decade-long outbreak of sexually transmitted hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection among HIV positive men who have sex with men in Amsterdam appears to have leveled off since 2007, perhaps due to increased testing and treatment, but more education and screening are needed, researchers reported at the XIX International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2012) last week in Washington, DC

Public health officials have traditionally thought that HCV is not commonly transmitted through sex, based on studies of monogamous heterosexual couples. But outbreaks of presumably sexually transmitted hepatitis C among HIV positive gay and bisexual men were first reported in the U.K. around 2000, then in large continental European cities, and later in Australia and the U.S. as well.

HCV is transmitted through blood -- little or none is found in semen -- and it is hardier and can live longer outside the body than HIV. The risk factors for sexual transmission of HCV are not well understood. Increased risk has been linked to sexual practices including anal intercourse and fisting, having other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and recreational drug use, but specific predictors vary from study to study. Determining risk factors is difficult in part because most people do not engage in only a single sexual activity or other risk behavior.

Link to full article -

http://www.hepctrust.org.uk/News_Resources/news/2012/August/Is+Sexually+Transmitted+Hepatitis+C+among+HIV+Gay+Men+Leveling+Off+in+Amsterdam