Hep C cluster found in Melbourne
Community health organisations have expressed concern at a cluster of hepatitis C diagnoses among HIV-positive gay men in Melbourne.
Monitoring by the Victorian Department of Health has shown that between May 2010 and April 2011, 37 HIV-positive gay men were diagnosed with hepatitis C (HCV), a significant increase on previous years.
In at least 19 of these cases, sexual transmission of HCV was suspected by the diagnosing physician.
People Living with HIV/AIDS Victoria has joined with the Victorian AIDS Council/Gay Men’s Health Centre (VAC/GMHC) and Hepatitis C Victoria to alert positive gay men to the risk of HCV.
“We want people with HIV to know that sexual transmission of hep C does occur and it is more common in positive people,” PLWHA Victoria president Paul Kidd told the Star Observer.
“The risk of sexual transmission is higher for those who engage in group sex, fisting, use of sex toys and non-injected drugs, as well as for those with some sexually transmissible infections.”
While the majority of cases of HCV infection have been linked to injecting drug use and other forms of blood-to-blood contact, cases of sexual transmission have been reported.
Clusters of cases of apparently sexually-transmitted hep C among HIV-positive gay men have recently been reported in London, France and the Netherlands.
“Hep C is a serious health challenge for anyone, especially if you also have HIV,” Kidd said.
“The best way to reduce the risk of contracting or transmitting hep C is to use condoms and water-based lube, latex gloves when fisting, and avoid sharing sex toys.”
A community information forum is being planned based on the new concerns, with details to be announced shortly.
Hepatitis C is acquired through blood and sexual intercourse. In acquiring it is having an unsafe sex with your partner or having a multiple sex partner. Though this condition is life threatening but you can avoid this through safe sex as always.