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.

[hegs]

I will find out tomorrow or next Wednesday also having a riba test i, I also heard i shouldn't get knocked back if i have antibodies they just want a complete NO that i don't have the disease.

[portann]

Apache knows about these letter things. You don't have HCV, but the letter unfortunately does NOT entirely exclude the possibility that you may have had it in the past (to cover its bases?).

Since the root problem is the one positive antibody test in the initial screening compared to the other negative antibody test, it seems you could be re-tested (even seven times!) with antibody tests and use that to further document and protect yourself

[fretboard]

It could be all you need to do is have them prove that you are contagious with only a positive antibody test.  I personally don't think anyone can prove that one way or the other.  They could tell you to take a hike but you have nothing to lose at this point.  What you really need to find out is if they in fact can keep you out with a positive antibody test.   good luck

[hegs]

still stumped on how to prove them wrong...

And what specialist to see i have one next week to see an infectious disease specialist.

[hegs]

thank port feels good to hear that

I still wonder today if i had hep c, I Thank every moment :)

Will serve my country best i can :)

[portann]

Hegs is at the pre-recruitment screening stage and seven PCR's say he has no virus.  The initial antibody reports were DISCORDANT, which means that one was negative and the other positive. The false positive was probably why he was given so many PCR's.

As Hegs said, he transcribed the info himself, hence the typos. :)

Hegs, you never had HCV, according to the tests.

Don't sweat the antibody tests, one way or the other. They're only baby tests and can give false results.

The real thing are the PCR's and you say you had seven of them, so you can rest easy!

Be careful in the military to not share razors or toothbrushes. Although everyone is pre-screened in Oz, according to Lauma, things happen. You're best off avoiding any blood-to-blood contact. This can happen, though rarely, via shared personal grooming items.

Best regards,

Port