Anti-bodys Via never infected with hep c?

[hegs]

So today I got a letter for the army stating that hep c antibodies means im unfit for duty and i still have hep c


On a side note... i had 3 anti body test 2 positive the 3rd was weak positive...

Is there a possibility the anti-body's will fade and ill will still have a chance?

[mremeet]

First you must understand there are two forms of tests that are performed on someone to determine if they have hepatitis C (or not). The first is the antibody test, which apparently you've already had three times and scored positive each time. Antibodies are proteins that your body produces to fight off a virus, but they are not the virus itself. There are many different types of antibodies, including ones for every flu bug you've ever gotten. Antibodies stick around after you've been exposed to a virus, even if you successfully fight it off. They can last many years or even a lifetime. They can also fade away after time, but as far as I know this usually takes at least 20 years after being infected with HCV and spontaneous clearance.

A positive HCV antibody test alone means that you were exposed to hepatitis C at some time in your life, and possibly that you were even born with hepatitis C (transmitted from your mother). But just because you score positive for antibodies, that does NOT necessarily mean you have the virus itself. You may or may not have the virus, about 1 in 5 people clear the virus on their own after becoming infected. The rest go on to become chronically infected with HCV (chronic being a long term permanent infection). You have to be tested for the virus itself with a test called a PCR. A PCR test will tell you if you actually have the virus, or if you were one of the lucky ones and cleared the virus on your own shortly after being initially infected.

Most doctors and informed people consider someone who scores positive on HCV antibodies, but persistently tests negative for the virus itself (over a prolonged period of time) as not having HCV. For instance, I had HCV for 24 years before being successfully treated for it and getting cured. I now test negative for the virus, but still test positive for antibodies. I'll probably test + for antibodies for another 20 or more years, and maybe as along as I live. But unless I'm unfortunate enough to be reinfected, the virus is gone.

You might want to look into the army's rules/guidelines a little more deeply and see if someone told you wrong about being unfit for duty simply because of a +antibody test. Get a PCR and find out if you've cleared the virus. If you have, you might be able to petition the army to allow you in, especially if you're otherwise in good health.  Good luck, enjoy the beaches down there.

[hegs]

well thank for that!

Well i have 5 PCRS neg, I also had a murex which was negative, And a riba test which was Undetectable.. Ive been to a specialist he also said im a false positive and states that something in my body is setting the anti-body's off?

I dont get the positive for 2 anit-body's , then a weak positive?

[Bill1954]

Hegs, this is ridiculous! What is it with Armed forces; are they universally staffed by idiots?

You have tested negative per RIBA; this tells us that you were never exposed to the HCV virus. Plus, you have a letter stating this from a medical doctor. What part of NO do they not understand :o)?

Have you presented them with that letter yet? You might have to speak to an attorney to get this right; can you see if you are somehow entitled to an army solicitor to help you through this?

All the best to you mate,

Bill

[hegs]

Hey again bill tell me about it mate!

I know 2 ribs negative, possible my like my doc said that my bodies setting of the anti-body's or such?

I have sent them all my letter from the infectious doc.

There letter stated That i don't have an active hep c Virus , but anyone with anti-body's to hep c regardless of weather they have an active diseases or not, are considered unfit.

Hoping the anti-body's fade

[hegs]

Any help/advice would be great :)

[franke566]

the Military has always been a hard nut to crack hegs.  Once you get pigeon holed you stick there.  Have you thought of going into Law Enforcement?  If there was a draft and you didn't want to serve you'd be snatched up for sure.  Maybe if you went to the media?
A gutsy move as it would bring exposure to your exposure to a virus that many lift an eyebrow towards.  Best of Luck.  

[hippygem]

Hi there

Another illness may give a false positive, such as hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism.
My sons g/f had the tests like you, came back false positive, then diagnosed with the thyroid problems.
I think you should get tested for them too.

You dont have HCV, the tests prove this.

[hegs]

Well is there any other disorder which could be triggering it?

Does anyone know if the antibodys fade and how long it would take if i had hep c?

Im lost here xD

[Bill1954]

Hegs, antibodies are expected to last a lifetime; but the thing is, you *don’t carry* the antibodies… your AB tests were false positive, according to the RIBA test results.

Can you consult with your doctor again, explain your situation, and see if he can generate a report to the correct party in the army? This is so strange…

I wish you nothing but the best, guy—

Bill

[hegs]

hey bill :)

I have sent the current letter from the army to the infectious diseases specialist.

What could be triggering the anti bodies?

[Kim63]

I am sorry you are going through this issue. I am really puzzled by the militarys stance on this. I have had hepc for over 24 years. I have a 10 year old daughter, that was conceived the month I was diagnosed. My husband and I waited until she was 7 before we could face having her tested. The Dr.s also said, it wouldn't make a difference as there would be no treatment at her age.
We recieved the worst phonecall ever from her GP after she was tested. They said they were sorry, but she indeed had hep c. My husband and I did not handle it well. I was devastated to think I had passed this on to her during birth. We waited for a Gi specialist to see her in our state, but after many cancelled , and changed appts., I decided I had waited long enough.
I contacted "Maureen Jonas" M.D. , who is the head of the liver transplant program at "childrens hospital" in Boston. We finally saw her 5 1/2 months after "diagnosis". She looked at us, and did a complete history and exam, and said " Im not sure there is an issue here". My husband and I nearly hit the floor. As others here stated, they had simply run the antibodie test, not the RNA test. She ran the RNA, and called us 4 days later to state she did NOT have hep c, and would no longer need to be seen.
I am an R.N., and usually very proactive re: healthcare. I was blown away to think this could have happened to me. Also , as a heathcare worker, you get hep a, and b vaccinations. They will then check you every few years to make sure the "antibody" level is still high enough. This obviously does not mean you have Hep a, or b. This simply means, you HAVE been exposed, and have developed the appropriate antibodys, not that you have actually developed the virus. I hope that you can get some kind of "expert" help in "educating" the armed forces. I'm not sure, but it could be a huge up-hill battle.
In the mean time, Thank God, you do NOT have hep c. For that, "congratualtions" .
  I wish you the best.
                                                                                              Best of luck,
                                                                                                              Kim