Do I have Hep C

[JakeCunningham1734]

I recently got tested for Hepititis C because I am a prison guard and I was exposed to the virus. The test said that I was negative unless I had been recently exposed. My AST level was 57 and the normal is 0 to 40. What are the chances that I do have the virus?

[vik97]

I am just a beginner here myself, but I know that your slightly elevated AST level does not mean that you have Hepatitis C.  It can have other causes such as drinking alcohol on a regular basis or some other medical problem.

[mabel8499]

Hepatitis C can be transmitted by blood mainly. Hepatitis C virus has been isolated in the semen, vaginal fluid, and saliva. Common contact is not shown to spread hepatitis C unless an open wound is involved.
I am the administrator of the BBS which provides discussion to patients with liver diseases, Mabel. Our BBS is newly-opened. You can get much useful information and let others share your experiences there. Welcome to visit http://liver-health.info/. Thank you.

[CockSparrow]

Be very wary of this site advertised my mabel8499. This site has been advertised on other forums, and mabel banned.
http://www.hepcukforum.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=8157

Below are some of the members. Expect to either get spammed or ripped off.

Malbe8499
Joined: 2007.11.29
Total posts: 173
[83.98% of total / 3.68 posts per day

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HepC and Viagra interesting combination??
CS

[CockSparrow]

Ignore mabel. What vik97 said is true.
Antibodies to the virus become detectable for most by week 12, and by 97% or there abouts by week 24 after exposure.
A PCR test will detect the virus at around week 3.
Unfortunately some people have intermittent HCV levels and can be missed by PCR. Not sure if these mostly clear on their own though.

So if concerned I would get a PCR test done especially if the exposure was recent.
High ALTs can be caused by Alcohol, Tylenol, Fatty Liver and Gall bladder problems amongst others.

You should get the cause of these high levels investigated. It may not be HepC, but the high ALTs are still not good.

All the Best
CS

[Willy50]

Jake, you don't say when you were exposed or what test was given.  You may have to wait 6 weeks following an exposure.  Was it a known exposure; was the other person positive for HCV?  IF given the choice a riba antibody test will be more sensitive than a "elisa" antibody test.  Yes, the AST test is inconclusive; it could be caused by many things such as diet, alcohol, use of painkillers and even excercise.

So far as Mabel, it looks as if her site is getting spammed.  She may need a higher security level or more help in ridding posts placed by spammers.  It looks like they are trying to start a serious forum though.....

best,
willy

[nygirl7]

I've never seen this mabel before and would take the advice of the guys above.

Anyway - liver enzymes can go up and down for many, many reasons.  The best way to find out is just to go to the doctors and have the blood test.  It might give you the peace of mind that you're looking for. Believe me, Hepc isn't the end of the world if you do have it - but I think your chances are pretty low.

It isn't spread by casual contact and it is even difficult to get sexually - almost impossible in fact.

You need to have blood to blood contact.  so unless you've been shooting up with inmates or snorting coke/dope with them - you should probably be fine.

Good luck.

[nygirl7]

Oh sorry I missed the negative line - if it says you are negative then you are negative.

You are lucky - go out and celebrate the beautiful day it is outside and enjoy your life.

[CockSparrow]

Willy - It looks like they are trying to start a serious forum though.....
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By poaching from other forums. Come on.
If its the site that is being spammed why arent the posts deleted?

I get enough spam as it is I dont want any more.
CS

[hippygem]

Hi Cocksparrow, Mabel is being a pest on other forums, I too received emails etc and sent her one back.  I visited her forum, she doesnt have the spam issue set up to block on her site which is why she has those Viagra type of things on it, she needs to change a few things in the administration panel to make it hard for bots etc to infiltrate the site....Anyway, saying that, she still shouldnt go about getting members the way she has been by using other forums members, not good at all.
Her site also has some strange information on it, without links provided etc etc.
Better stop now....lol, said enough.

[Bobdwilliams]

ummm I'm new to this site. I found out yesterday that my YEAR long treatment with the Peg didn’t stay at zero….bummer for me. That was once a week shot with the Rib pills. Now the Doc suggested I get on the ‘daily’ train with those nasty shots & all the baggage.
I want to try Milk Thisel for a bit. My count shows 80,000 now…I wonder if I should try the Thisel for a few weeks? How much should I take? Is anyone here going through the second round?