Is hepatitis C sexually transmitted?

The virus can pass when infected blood enters another person’s bloodstream. Sexual activity has a lower transmission risk than situations involving direct blood exposure, but risk can rise when there are genital sores, bleeding, rough sex, or another sexually transmitted infection. Menstrual blood and shared sex toys can also create a route for blood contact. Hepatitis C is not spread by hugging, kissing, sharing food, or ordinary household contact.

Many people have no early symptoms. When symptoms occur, tiredness, nausea, dark urine, or yellowing of the skin may appear. Fatigue can have many causes, so it does not identify hepatitis C by itself.

If a partner has hepatitis C, or you are concerned about a sexual exposure, arrange a confidential medical assessment. A clinician can discuss the timing of blood tests and whether repeat testing is sensible. Use condoms or other barriers when blood exposure is possible, avoid sharing sex toys unless they are cleaned and covered between users, and do not share razors, toothbrushes, needles, or other items that may carry blood.

A [GP Consultation](/treatments/consultations-and-assessment/gp-consultation/) can help arrange assessment. A [Liver Function Test](/treatments/diagnostics-and-screening/liver-function-test/) may show liver inflammation, but it cannot by itself confirm or exclude hepatitis C.

Seek prompt medical advice after a recent exposure to blood, especially if a needle or sharp object was involved. Arrange assessment for yellow skin or eyes, very dark urine, unusual bleeding, marked swelling, confusion, or severe abdominal pain. These symptoms need medical attention regardless of whether hepatitis C is the cause.

Ask which tests are appropriate, when testing will be reliable, whether a recent exposure changes the plan, and how to reduce blood contact during sex. You can also ask how a positive result would be confirmed and treated.