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Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is transmitted through infected blood and blood products, but evidence of other routes of transmission is less clearly understood. In a study designed to examine human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission, the prevalence of HCV has also been measured. Sixty-one couples were analysed, 30 in which partners were at risk through sexual contact alone, of whom 12 (40%) became infected with HIV and none with HCV. Thirty-one partners were exposed sexually and additionally through intravenous drug use. Of these, 16 (52%) became infected with HIV and 25 (80%) contracted HCV infection. These findings support the evidence of others that HCV is only rarely transmitted by sexual intercourse in heterosexual relationships and that HIV is not a co-factor for HCV transmission.

Type

Journal article

Journal

J Infect

Publication Date

09/1997

Volume

35

Pages

163 - 166

Keywords

Adolescent, Adult, Disease Transmission, Infectious, Female, HIV Infections, HIV-1, Hepacivirus, Hepatitis C, Humans, Longitudinal Studies, Male, Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Spouses