Can you help me?

At first I was told I had hepatitis c virus.....SHOCKED.....then I was called back and told I didn't have the virus but was at some point in my life exposed. I am going to be getting tested again at another doctors office to make sure all is right. My question is....if I have the antibodies and not the virus what does this mean for me and my family? Will I be able to have more children and not infect them? Should I have my other children tested as well? My husband is negative to this.

[newleaf09]

It means zero for you and your family.  Viruses leave behind antibodies, made by your body to fight off specific diseases.  Same for chicken pox, measles, etc.  Antibodies still there.  You did once have hepatitis C virus but you fought it off.  You do not have the virus but were one of the lucky ones who resolved it on your own.  Congratulations.

[skarykat]

You say zero...which means my family is safe right? My husband and I wanted to have more children.....what are the chances of passing the antibodies? I know I should be asking the doc these questions but I will not see him til later this week. I'm just scared and nervous. I have been trying to do so much reading on hep-c my eyes hurt from crying and staring at the computer.

[Trish77]

Actually you should stop crying and you can be very grateful.  Only approximately 15% of people clear the Hep C virus on their own.  If the results are correct and you have antibodies only and no viral load, you are among the lucky group.  If you have antibodies only, it means you are not infectious to anyone at all and you can have children and not worry about it in any way.  The only thing you cannot do is give blood and that is because they're incredibly conservative about the blood supply and what goes into it.  If you went to donate blood, they'd notice you have antibodies and turn you down instead of bothering to go through an expensive test to see if you have viral load.  Less headache for them to simply turn down your donation.

Get your PCR that determines if you have viral load or antibodies only to put your mind at rest.  You don't have Hep C until a test says you do and so far that's not your situation.

Trish

[skarykat]

Thank you!, Trish. You on the other hand made me cry again to the fact that I should be thankful. I really don't know how I may have been exposed at all, but to know that I fell in that 15% is a relief for me and my family. Does anyone know what it is about us 15% that rid of this on our own?

[Bill1954]

Hi there,

I wanted to weigh in along with Trish and Newleaf; it sounds like you’ll be Ok. There are some studies that suggest a higher rate of spontaneous clearance among premenopausal women; up to 40%. This is attributed, or at least suspected to be a product of protective hormones. And, personal genetics may be a factor as well.

Even if it turned out you were positive for active virus, there’s less than a 5% incidence of vertical transmission; that is, from mother to child. Either way, it’s very unlikely to affect your family.

This isn’t something to cry over; take it easy, get the follow up testing, and if you have time, let us know the outcome.

Take good care—

Bill

[skarykat]

Thank you all so much! You have really put my mind at ease for the moment. I will also come back to fill you in on the outcome of my other tests.