Your liver enzyme test will measure the alt and ast level. fyi.
i dont donate to get tested i donate because it can save someones life but thank you for all the information. I discussed it with my dr she thinks its a false + and had me tested again and added a liver enzyme test to be 100% sure
the screening test can be false + because of cross reaction with other antigens. The Riba is VERY specific for hcv antibody and a neg riba means you are neg for antibody no matter what the screening test shows.
Never donate blood as a way to test for a Std or Hcv. What if you are + for something and it is missed? Not a good idea.
Your screeing test probably showed a 'weak reactive' score of <2. When that happens, the blood sample is tested by the 'Riba supplemantal' test, which is VERY specific for Hcv antibody.
The combination of 'weak reactive' and neg Riba means neg for antibody and the screening test was false pos. The neg pcr test, probably qualitative, means no virus.
Your combination of 'weak reactive screening'/neg riba/neg pcr means no antibody/no virus.
you could also have been exposed, anytime, even in utero, and cleared the virus all on your own, and so have a negative RNA test....but Positive for antibodies,,,,,that means no active virus, not that you were never exposed.
false pos. and false negs occur....get tested again in a few months....just keep an eye on it..
Most people with hep c do not know they have it, so depending on the type of sex and voracity of your intercourse, transmission is possible. You also don't know who else the women have been with, the old adage, sleep with one you're sleeping with a hundred still applies.
Went to the Dr. this week because I was told to get a Hep B vaccine. I asked why not a HepC as well and he said there is no vaccine for C. Beside he said that one is hard to get because it only comes from drug use and needles, or from a blood transfusion which is now rare because they screan the blood very well these days. Maybe they made a mistake. Try donating blood at another place and see what happens. cat33