Hey Doctors - I have been doing much better with my OCD - really doing well, I however always have trouble before blood tests and one thing I have never been tested for before is Hep C.  I won't go into my history as you know it well already - I have asked questions about Hep B and Hep C transmission.  I have no risk factors, and I know that Hep C is not considered by many to even be an std.  I am getting tested later this week, and I just wanted to know about one thing.  I have had Chronic Idiopathic Urticaria for years it comes about once a year if that and then goes away with steroid treatment or upping the zyrtec that controls it.  I have read there is either no correlation or loose correlation between Hep C and CIU - I was wondering if either of you knew anything about whether chronic urticaria could be a symptom of hep C.  I have no risk factors other than being born in 1966 which was right around the cutoff for recommendation of getting a routine screen - do you know of any correlation between Hep C and chronic urticaria?  I also have sarcoidosis so that might be the cause as well - but I wanted to ask about Hep C because its a quasi-std and the two of DR HH and DR Hook, I have such great respect for your opinions and it may help be get through the next week or so when I get tested and I wait for the results.  Let me know if you know if their is a correlation between Hep C and CIU or this is just once again my OCD rearing its head because I have no real risk factors at all.  If this is not a question you all deal with - then just consider a gift to what you do - thanks in advance. 

Welcome back to the Forum although "I'm sorry you felt the need.  Hepatitis C is not a "quasi-STI".  Hepatitis C is rarely transmitted to receptive partners participating in receptive rectal intercourse.  You are not at risk.  Further, while I am not an expert in hepatitis C,  I am not aware of any relationship between hepatitis C and chronic recurrent urticaria.  I urge you to attribute the concerns you are feeling to your OCD and move forward.   I would suggest that you discuss these concerns with your therapist. EWH---

so when you say its not a quasi std - your saying its not really an std at all and heterosexual transmission rarely if ever happens - correct?

Correct.  EWH---

okay thanks Doc Hook.........take care