Hepatitis C: Questions and Support

Hey everyone, I’m feeling pretty awkward about this, but honestly, I’m also kind of freaking out.
So, I am terrified of this disease. I’ve never done drugs, I don't have tattoos, and I've never had a blood transfusion, but I was hooking up with this guy and later found out he's a former addict who dealt with Hepatitis C (I heard this through the grapevine since we aren't in touch anymore). He used to live in a commune and went through interferon treatment maybe 5 or 6 years ago—I have no clue if he's actually cured, but he seems pretty healthy now, though he drinks quite a bit.
I’ve been spiraling through everything I can find online, but I’m just lost. People say sexual transmission is rare, but I wasn't just having sex with him; we were making out, and it was pretty intense and lasted a long time (this might sound stupid, but I'm mentioning it because my gums bleed all the time when I brush my teeth, so maybe there was some blood exchange during the heavy kissing/suction stuff)...
This happened last Christmas, and a few days after that, I came down with strep throat. As soon as a friend told me about his condition, I started worrying that my liver was being affected. After they tried convincing him that I couldn't have caught it from him, I've spent the last year constantly obsessing over this... I'll forget for a bit, then it hits me all over again.
After drinking some wine or a beer, I feel this pressure on the right side of my ribs.
Yesterday I was doing some ab workouts, and afterward, that area started hurting. I probably overdid it with the core exercises, but it doesn't hurt on my left side at all. It isn't a constant pain, but more like a sharp stabbing sensation whenever I stretch or take a deep breath.
Just so you know, I did get tested for Hepatitis B a few months back (it was part of some routine blood work), but the idea of testing for Hep C absolutely terrifies me.
Sorry for the massive wall of text. If anyone knows anything about this, please reach out. To everyone else, sorry if I'm just venting and annoying you.
Best,

Look, how am I supposed to help you from here?
The only way out is to go get tested. This waiting game is just going to eat you alive. Make sure you check for all types of hepatitis, and honestly, you might as well screen for HIV too while you're at it.
There’s a risk, sure, but it’s slim. I'm rooting for you and hoping for a clean bill of health. 🙂

How Hepatitis C Spreads

Hepatitis C is a bloodborne disease, meaning transmission occurs when one person's blood comes into contact with another's. The virus lives in the bloodstream of those infected. Most often, the virus enters a new person's system through broken skin or mucous membranes. A significant number of people living with Hepatitis C contracted it through shared injection equipment—think needles, syringes, spoons, cotton, or water. Using non-sterile gear, like tattoo needles that haven't been properly sanitized before piercing the skin, can also pass it along. Even sharing things like razors or toothbrushes with someone who has Hepatitis C poses a risk.

The virus can also be transmitted in these ways:

* Contact with infected blood through cuts, scrapes, or injuries caused by contaminated tools can lead to infection among healthcare workers.
* Hepatitis C can be passed from mother to child, though this happens much less frequently than with Hepatitis B. The risk of transmission through breast milk is considered extremely low.
* There is a very slim, almost negligible risk of transmitting Hepatitis C during heterosexual or homosexual intercourse, unless both partners have open genital wounds. An infected woman could potentially pass the virus to a partner if there is an open sore present during her menstrual cycle.
* Blood donors aren't at risk of contracting the disease this way, and the risk for transfusion recipients is incredibly low nowadays because, since the early 1990s, all donated blood undergoes rigorous screening for Hepatitis C.
Source: Wikipedia

Based on all of this, sexual transmission is rare, and kissing isn't even a factor. This person was on interferon for five or six years; I don't see any chance of you catching it just from hooking up with them.
That stuff about the CDC is total nonsense.🙄 If that were actually true, our infection numbers would be way higher than they actually are.
Now, psychology is a different story. If you can't get your head straight and stop worrying, then just go get tested so you can move on with your life in peace.