The exact risk and mechanisms are difficult to quantify but research studies have identified some situations in which sexual transmission may be more likely. These transmissions are broadly categorised as ‘sexual’ exposures, meaning that transmission of the virus has occurred through sexual interaction(s) with an individual who is HCV positive. In Australia around half of the HIV positive gay men acquiring HCV are infected in circumstances that do not involve injecting drug use. In many cities worldwide, especially within Europe, HCV acquisition among these men is mostly occurring through methods other than injecting drug use. By Associate Professor Gail Matthew | The Kirby Institute, University of New South Walesįor almost two decades it has been clear that rates of hepatitis C virus (HCV) transmission have been particularly high in HIV positive gay men, and not just in those engaging in injecting drug use.
