Important messages:
- There is quite a lot you can do to reduce the risk of transmitting hepatitis C. Even if you don’t use condoms.
- On this page you will find 13 general tips for reducing the risk, and additional tips for nine specific situations.
- See if our recommendations work for you.
C WhatYouCanDo!
Note: The text continues below the comic strip. Click here for part 1.
-Write your initials on your jar/bottle of lube.
Read more
That way others will know which lube is yours.
-Avoid laying in your sex partners’ lube residue.
-Are you top? Then avoid playing with your own ass.
You could transfer the virus to your ass if the virus is in the lube on your hands. Or you could transfer lube from your ass to your partner’s.
-Are you bottom? Then avoid playing with the top’s ass.
Read moreYou could transfer the virus to his ass, if there is virus in the lube on your hands. Or you could transfer the virus from his ass to yours.
-If you’ve recently had any medical treatment involving your anus, wait a few days before having sex again.
-Do not have sex if you got herpes.
The blisters caused by herpes can make it easier to get hepatitis C.
-Remove cock piercings
Read moreTo reduce the risk of wound/bleeds.
Use lots of lube to reduce the risk of wounds/bleeds.
If you use spit to fuck, switch to lube as soon as possible.
Read moreSpit only works for a short while as lubricant. It dries quickly.
-Remove condoms carefully after fucking
Read moreIf you’ve just fucked someone with hepatitis C, the virus will be on the outside of the condom. Always wash and disinfect your hands after removing the condom.
-Keep your dildos/toys apart from your sex partner's stuff.
Read moreThat way you avoid the risk of someone touching your dildos/toys with lubed fingers when he picks up his own.
-Wash and disinfect your hands before touching anyone else’s dildo/toy.
-It is better to wear gloves if you’re going to finger anyone, or if you are going to use dildos/toys on anyone. Use silicone- or water-based lube to avoid breaking down of latex gloves.
-Use silicone- or water-based lube to avoid breaking down of latex gloves
Read moreExamples of water-based lube: J-lube, Amos or other gels used by veterinarians.
-Are you (bottom or top) allergic to latex? Use nitrile gloves.
-Prefer to use grease or oil when fisting? Use nitrile gloves.
Nitrile breaks down less easily from grease or oily lube.
-Use lots and lots of lube to reduce the risk of bleeds. Buy special bottles to squeeze lube deep into your ass, such as these.
Read moreFill these with lube. That way the person playing with your ass can squeeze lube deep into your rectum. There is no better way to get lubed up. These squeeze bottles are sold for single use only, but if you clean both bottle and nozzle and disinfect for 5 minutes in a bleach solution (see disinfecting dildos/toys and anal douches) after each occasion, you can use them multiple times. Warning: Always rinse thoroughly with water after disinfection with chlorine.
-Go slowly when fisting. Never use force.
-If you see the lube turning pink, take a break.
Pink lube means someone is bleeding a little. If the bleeding continues, stop fucking or fisting. If you’re the one bleeding, you may want to rinse your ass with cold water to tighten the blood vessels. Then take a long break.
-Remove fisting gloves carefully after use.
Read moreIf you’ve just fisted someone with hepatitis C, the virus will be on the outside of the gloves.
-Do not share nail scissors, nail clippers or nail files.
Read moreThe hepatitis C virus can also attach itself to these tools. You should avoid sharing these, the same as you avoid sharing your razor and toothbrush.
-Avoid taking chems through the ass (“booty bumping”).
Read moreIt really affects the mucous membranes. This makes you more vulnerable to hepatitis C.
-Never share syringes whenever you take chems through the ass.
Read moreThe hepatitis C virus can survive for a long time in syringes. Always use your own syringe and don’t leave your syringe next to someone else’s. Tip: Make sure everyone uses a different coloured syringe. That way you avoid people using other people’s syringes by mistake.
-Do not share meth pipes when smoking crystal meth (tina).
Read moreSharing meth pipes can be risky. If you drink too little, you run a great risk of getting dry lips. Also, the hot pipe could create small cracks in your lips. If the virus is on the mouthpiece, these cracks make you more vulnerable to getting hepatitis C.
-Do not share straws when snorting chems.
Read moreSnorting drugs/chems can cause minor bleeds in the nose. You may not even notice these bleeds. When this happens, blood particles containing hepatitis C can stick to the straw or whatever you use to snort. Tip: prepare lots of short, pre-cut plastic straws in advance. The best is to make sure everyone uses different coloured straws. Throw away used straws immediately after use.
-Do not share equipment when injecting (“slamming”) chems.
Read moreMake sure everyone uses a different coloured syringe and needle. That way you avoid people using other people’s needles or syringes. Put used needles and syringes in a needle container immediately after use. Hand in full needle containers at any pharmacy or at GGD Amsterdam’s STI clinic (if you live in Amsterdam)
Also don’t share filters, cotton balls for stopping bleeds, or the cups/containers you put your syringes in when slamming. In addition, do not use the same (sterilized) water to dissolve your chems as others. hepatitis viruses can survive for a long time on or in all of these items, too.
-Pay extra attention to disinfection when playing at sex parties.
-It is better to play with regular sex partners (fuck buddies).
It’s easier to discuss risk reduction with them. Regular sex partners are also more likely to warn each other about hepatitis C infections or other STIs.
-Before having sex with someone, tell him what risk reduction strategies you use for hepatitis C.
-Keep the contact details (especially phone numbers) of all of your sex partners. Keep the contact details of the sex party’s hosts, too.
Write down when you have had sex with each person. This is important in case you need to tell partners that you have been diagnosed with hepatitis C. If you keep the host's contact details, you’ll be able to tell the others through him, if necessary.
-If you like to shave your balls, do this a few days before having sex.
Read moreShaving can sometimes create small wounds. These wounds make it easier to get or transmit hepatitis C.
-Is sex happening at your place? Then provide a pile of clean “party towels” (washed at 60 degrees).
Read moreThat way everyone has his own towel. Provide different coloured towels, so it will be clear which towel belongs to whom.
-Make sure you have enough rolls of paper towels.
Read moreThis is to remove lube residue before cleaning and disinfecting.
-Place a dustbin near the action.
Read moreSo that used paper towels, condoms and fisting gloves with lube on them will not be left all over the place.
-Make sure the lighting is bright enough to be able to see if a sex partner starts to bleed. Do not use red lighting.
-Is sex happening at somebody else’s place? Always take along your own disinfectants and lubricant. Take some towels, too; these are for you to lay on, if you’re a bottom.
Don’t assume the person you’re visiting will have these at home.
