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False Positive Hepatitis C Initial Antibody Screening Test

I tested positive for hepatitis C during the initial antibody screening test twice at two different hospitals. The first time I was really depressed about it because I have no risk factors for this disease. My first doctor didn’t do a good job of explaining why I tested positive but I just assumed that I didn’t have it because I did further testing and she never mentioned it again. I didn’t really dig too deep because I was dealing with a rough pregnancy. Now, two years later, at a different hospital, I have tested positive for it again. I told my new doctor that this is not the first time it has happened and he replied saying, “For those with a false positive on the initial screening test, it will always comeback as a (false) positive results. It happens in a significant percentage of
Young women. This time, will give you a copy of the result for your records.”

I looked up my records at my old hospital and the two test results were as followed:

4/03/2009
HCV Ab Bands (RIBA)
  Range: NEGATIVE



4/03/2009
HCV Ab
Range: NEGATIVE
Reactive (#)
DUE TO LOW SIGNAL/CUTOFF RATIO, SENT FOR CONFIRMATION BY RIBA


Why is it that I will always test false negative for hcv? What do these test results mean?
Best Answer
Avatar universal
Hi...The HCV antibodies test is very sensitive for "any" antibody and can sometimes cross-react with antibodies to other conditions,therefore you can get  'false positives"

Possibly some autoimmune issues you may have?
Best to inquire from the doctor on the exact reason he/she  believes you are getting the false positives.

However fortunately the fact is  you do not have HCV  (confirmed by the negative RIBA(recombinat immunoblot assay)  test.

best..
Will

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Avatar universal
Sorry for the confusion. I tried to copy it in a way that I didn't leave any crucial information out. Do you know why I keep getting false positive results on my initial test? Are there other conditions that can cause a false positive result? If so, what conditions? Thank you.
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Avatar universal
Thank you, I'm going to have this done asap.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi there...

Your post is a little confusing ,however the way I interpret the result you have copied  is your HCV antibodies test showed  "Negative" ,however because it may have stated a "low  signal to cut-off (s/co)   the doctor ran the supplemental 'RIBA" test.

This also showed " negative "  which means the original antibodies test was definitely a "false positive" and you do not have HCV and there is nothing more to worry about.

Yes..your doctor would seem correct on this that you may test false positive again on an antibodies test possibly  from the test reacting to other past or current conditions.

Hope that helps..
Will
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I am not sure about that,  but it looks like it says negative to me.  

if you really want to know if it is a false positive or not, then get a PCR test (Viral Load count).  If there is a VL, you have active hep C.  if not, you are good to go.
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Avatar universal
!!
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