With a negative PCR at 16 wks you are fine, you do not have HCV.
"3. Do I need to go for another PCR test since it's not Qualititative?"
No
Have a great day
Thanks for your replay! But doesn't the viral load fluctuate a lot when during the end of acute phase before entering the chronic phase?
And the test might have missed it when it was the low strike?
You can have what isn't there. No virus!!! No Hepatitis C. You don't have Hepatitis C.
You can have what isn't there = You CAN'T have what isn't there. Sorry typing error.
You don't have Hepatitis C. Your fine.
I know I sound like a worried well for you , it's just that from the previous positive antibody tests I couldn't help but wonder the accuracy of my PCR test. Here is a part of the article that I quoted :
"
The HCV RNA levels can fluctuate widely in acute hepatitis C, with some individuals demonstrating intermittent decline in viral load below the detection for HCV RNA during some of these fluctuation."
http://depts.washington.edu/hepstudy/hepC/clindx/acute/discussion.html#ref
One time I can let myself believe it was a false positive, but three times?? Isn't that a little hard to believe?
If YOUR worried, get tested again
Have a great day
thanks! So the PCR quantitative test can consider conclusive ANYTIME after the initial 2-3 weeks?
Stop worrying. hrsepwguy answered your question twice. And yes he knows exactly what he's taking about. A PCR is accurate at 16 weeks.
Also, you can test positive for Hep C antibodies due to other reasons like a resent sickness etc etc etc.
FYI: If you ever have been exposed to Hepatitis C and your body cleared the virus on your own. You will test positive to hepatitis C antibodies for the rest of your life.....even though you don't have Hepatitis C. This happens to 25% of people exported to hep C.
exported =exposed
Sorry ......don't want to confuse you.
Thanks! I'm less worried now! Do u have any though on why I tested positive with 3 antibody test and then all of the sudden the antibody test at 16 week came back negative?
Lol I don't want to get exported from my own county
Any thought on my previous question? How did the antibody turn negative after positive?
Anyone...? I know people take a PCR test as golden standard here, but how could I have had 3 positive antibody tests then boom! A negative antibody ?
Why Hepatitis C Tests May Give False Results
http://www.hepmag.com/articles/false_test_result_2502_25760.shtml
Hi. I agree with the others that you do NOT have hepatitis C. In some people the antibody test reacts to something else and it looks like it is positive when in fact it is not. The number after your antibody test is 1.25 and 1.23. That is the signal-to-cutoff results and it is very low making it a strong possiblility that your test is a false positive. I believe you can rest easy that you do not have hepatitis C. Go enjoy your weekend.
Thank you surfsidegal, your response helped me a lot. I just have one more question, could low signal to cut off ratio caused by the reason that I'm in the acute stage, and my boy hasn't developed enough density of antibody to react to the antibody test? (It's been 4 month, and the window period for hep c is 6 month
Thanks again
Alexis
*my body hasn't developed enough
The acute stage does not cause a low signal to cutoff. In fact, if you had hep C in the acute stage, it would be quite high. You do not have hep C.
So what you meant was that if I was in the acute stage, the density of HCV antibody would be relevantly low when comparing with the chronic stage, but it wouldn't definitely low to the signal to cut off ratio? Is that correct?
Thank you tons, I feel like I'll be putting my mind at ease really soon
That is not what I am saying. You do not have hep C is what we all are saying. Please get some help for your anxiety.
Accurate information has been provided and further questions would only be repetitive. If you have further concerns, please consult a physician.
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