0.26 hepc antibody level in negative result, why?

[much needed mom]

My husband is hepc positive, we found out 2 years ago by accident through a blood test for a life insurance policy.  Since then my kids and I have been tested 3 times, all resuts came back as negative or non reactive as expalined by my doctors.  My 4 year old just got tested for the 4th time (negative again) but this time the doctor sent me a copy of the lab report.  The test is listed as HCV AB and it has reference range of 0.0 to 1.0.  The in range result is 0.26, it also says interpretation: negative.  The doctor told me it was negative as well but why is there any value to a negative antibody test?  This SCARES me.  What does it mean?  Can she develop hepc based on this 0.26 result?  The lab used was Quest Diagnostics.  She was also tested for HB CORE AB and HAV AB and both those test have no in range nor reference range values, they just say negative.  Why the value for the Hepc?  Pls advise.  Thank you

[Kevin Pho, MD]

Erin has kindly addressed this question in her comments below.  I agree with her assessment - as long as the interpretation remains negative, you can be rest assured.

Followup with your personal physician is essential.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Thanks,
Kevin, M.D.

[GI.PA]

Ok, lets look at the facts and please come on over the hepatitis board if you need some reassurance.  First, Hep C is a blood to blood transmitted virus.  That means that there are really only a few ways your daughter could have even been exposed to this:
1.  Your daughter and husband share needles for drug use
2.  Your daughter and husband become "blood brothers" frequently
3.  You husband frequently bleeds into your daughters open wounds or gives her blood transfussions.
4.  Your husband and daughter share razors or toothbrushes.
5.  Your husband gave you Hep C sexually (rare) and you gave it to your daughter during childbirth (rare).  This has been repeatedly disproven by your repeated negative antibody test.
Hep C is NOT spread by other household contact (sharing glasses, toliets, towels, sleeping in the same bed).

As you can see, the risk of any of your kids having hep c is virtually zero.  I see no advantage to testing any of your children again for Hep C, the risk just isnt there.  As for the Quest antibody levels changing, I would read nothing into this except for Quest (in their ever changing effort to confuse) has reported the reference range for the antibody.  Negative is negative.

Now, you have a slight risk of getting it sexually (perhaps 3%, but this is a high number if you look at just monogomous married couples).  I would suggest yearly Hep C antibody tests for you and if you want to bring this risk to near zero, you could use barrier protection.

Take a deep breath...

Erin
Gastroenterology Physician Assistant
(GI.PA)

[wmyi]

A related discussion, my range level was started.