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Question:
My wife enjoys analingus - when I perform it on her. It
doesn't bother me but can I contract a serious infection
like Hepatitis? What are the risks? Does she need to have
Hepatitis in order for me to contract it from this activity? I
would really appreciate an answer to my question.
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Answer:
by Yvonne Fulbright: (05/15/2004)
Smart questions to be asking!! Viral Hepatitis, of
which there are several strains, is an inflammation of the
liver that can be transmitted via analingus (rimming) and
contact with infected fecal matter. It infects more than
200,000 Americans every year. To give you an idea of the
risk of acquiring Hepatitis, it is a virus that is 100 times
more infectious than HIV. Hepatitis B and C are the strains
of the virus that you need to be the most weary of in
performing analingus. Your risk of acquiring such a
virus can be greatly reduced if you use a barrier method
over the rectum, such as non-microwavable Saran Wrap,
while performing analingus on your partner. In order for
you to acquire Hepatitis from your wife during rimming,
she would have to already be infected with the virus. It
would be wise to talk to her about the possibility of her
having ever acquired Hepatitis somehow - from
transfusions with contaminated blood, from sharing
needles, from sexual contact, from blood from cuts or
open sores, or from sharp objects contaminated with
infected blood (hypodermic needles, tooth brushes,
razors). Often referred to as a "silent infection", many
people do not know that they are infected with the disease
- and that they are carriers - because they may not show
any symptoms at all. So if you're wife is a carrier, yet has
not displayed any symptoms, chances are that she wouldn't
know that she has the disease. Symptoms that would signal
a case of Hepatitis B can be mild or severe, and usually
appear after an incubation period of 40-140 days.
Symptoms of Hepatitis B can include flu-like symptoms
(nausea, diarrhea, fever, and chills), appetite loss,
fatigue, abdominal pain, joint or muscle aches, dark urine,
light stools, and jaundice (the appearance of yellowish skin
and eyes). Symptoms of Hepatitis C may include
headaches, depression, fatigue, and aches and pains.
Currently, no cure exists for Hepatitis.
If you are concerned that your wife could be a
Hepatitis carrier, I would suggest that both of you get
tested for the virus (which is diagnosed with a blood test).
You may also want to look into the vaccine that is available
for Hepatitis B that provides lifelong immunity to the
infection. You can get vaccinated at your local health clinic
or doctor's office.
Reviewed by Sexual Health Editorial Team
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