Hep C Scare? and Joining the army!

[hegs]

Hey people so I applied to join the army. As you can see why im here

7 Months ago i joined up, 3 weeks into the process got my blood test done. It came back Hep c Positive.

So they told me to get futhur testing, I got about 12 test done - 7 PCRS all come back negative for the infection in my blood, the only thing that remained was the anti bodies, ive also had ultra sounds. - currently waiting on riba tests.. also seen two specialists, gastronologist and a infectious disease specialist whos is connected with the army. who said its either a false positive or ive had contact with the disease but the body fought it off therefore im no risk.

So i wait for 5 weeks they get back to me saying I am still Hep c positive

What the hell? So they said i can appeal again which i will and if i get a no I will take it higher once again, till i win.

Im not sure what they are thinking any help would be great





Also a letter from my infectious disease specialist.


i refer to this applicant for entry into the Australian regular army


i note that pre-recruitment screening for hepatitis c shows a positive result thought two different methodologies at Queensland medical Laboratories and a positive result at Sullivan nicoladies which was not confirmed by murex assay.

subsequent to these discordant results mr hegarty had has four pcr assay split between both labratotires

there are two alternative explanations for this situation

1. either the hepatitis c antibody discordant results are false positive results and i think this is the most likely explanation

2 the alternative explanation is hepatitis c antibody results shows orevious expsoure to hep c but no active infection at present

the patient has no risk factor for hep c. I think the former explanation that these are false positive results is more likely, but the latter cannot be excluded, either way, under the current defense force regulations, and regardless of  potiental aruguments in relation to re-activation in circumstances of immunosuppresion or re-infection, mr hegarty has no hep c virus in the blood therefor in myview no barrier to his recruitment.

[Bill1954]

Hegs, serial HCV antibody tests should demonstrate unequivocally that you don’t currently have Hep C.

Oops! This sentence *should* have read:

Hegs, serial HCV *RNA* [PCR] tests should demonstrate unequivocally that you don’t currently have Hep C.

Either way, you should be fine; good luck with your service :o)

Bill

[hegs]

also what if they army keep knocking me back?

[hegs]

thank bill you sorted it out, Hopefully I can get the specialist to write that down and use that letter against them :) that d be great, Big day next Wednesday, Hoping for false positive. But either way I don't have it :) and im greatful :D

Cheers to all!

[Bill1954]

Good morning, Port! I’ve always gotten up early; probably a carry over from construction, and trying to get a jump on the day :o). The false positive thing is problematic, huh? It can really disrupt lives, and can take forever to straighten out… it’s like a black mark on the hand back in the old days, isn’t it?

Be well,

Bill

[portann]

Thank goodness you finally woke up,  Bill, to help out here. It's 7:23 AM your time and I know you've already been busy helping Zoogie. :)

Hegs looks good to go, right?

Gosh, I hate those false positives - I've had some for other health issues and they play havoc with your mind.

xoxo

[Bill1954]

Hegs, serial HCV antibody tests should demonstrate unequivocally that you don’t currently have Hep C. The RIBA results will conclusively tell whether or not you were ever exposed. The antibody tests are subject to false positives; they are an inexpensive way to screen large groups of people, but aren’t very specific in nature.

It shouldn’t be difficult to get a doctor to sign off that you pose no risk of contagion; you *can not* pass antibodies to someone else, and they will *not* harm you, either.

Best to you—

Bill