Hepatitis c ab positive

[Andretti99]

Ive had an indetermined hcv ab test then negative hcv pcr by rna. About 8 weeks later the indetermined turned positive. But negative on pcr again. I have slightly elevated bilirubin ive been diagnosed with gilberts syndrome. I was wondering is there anyway the pcrs didnt pick up hcv? Thanks.

[Andretti99]

Okay thanks alot I'll get another pcr done in a couple of weeks to be sure.

[upshotphx]

Yes it is an extremely good sign. I would say that it is VERY VERY unlikely you have Hepatitis C. The extra pcr test is just to be 100% sure. However, if I were you I would go under the assumption that you do not have it. There is no reason to believe that you have Hep C. Only reason to even check again is because initially you apparently had some type of exposure to it. Just to be extra sure. They're just trying to be extra cautious by recommending more testing.
There really is no scenario apart from very recent exposure that would give 2 false negatives, but you said you have no idea when that was. again, just caution so you can close the door on this

[Andretti99]

I have no idea when my exposure was. However with negative pcr rna tests 2 months apart is that a really good sign? I was negative with quantitative twice already they advised me to get retested in a couple months just to be pre cautionary. But what im asking is if rna is detectable by 2-3 weeks for what reason would there not be it showing on my tests?

[upshotphx]

Yes your pcr results would be what determines whether or not you actually have it. I test positive on the hcv ab test, but don't actually have hcv anymore, because my body cleared it. Hrsepwrguy brings up a good point, depending on how recent your exposure was, you may wanna re-test periodically just to be absolutely sure.  Ask a dr to be sure, but if at 6 or 9 months your still negative by quantitative pcr then i wouldnt worry about it anymore. As for HIV testing I dont't know enough. Are you talking about an ab test? I know they also have very sensitive pcr-type tests which can detect it very early.  Ask your dr or try over in the hiv forum.

[Andretti99]

Thanks for the info :)

[Andretti99]

Okay so if i did happen to clear the virus myself are mt pcrs good indicactor that i do not have hcv? Also if i cleared it by myself will an hiv test be delayed past 3 months?Cause my immune system was perhaps weakened at a certain time?

[hrsepwrguy]

HCV RNA can be detected within one to two weeks after exposure to the virus, weeks before the onset of ALT elevations or the appearance of anti-HCV In some patients, the detection of HCV RNA may be the only evidence of HCV infection.

http://www.aafp.org/afp/1999/0101/p79.html


How soon after exposure to HCV can HCV RNA be detected by PCR?

HCV RNA appears in blood and can be detected as early as 2–3 weeks after infection.

How soon after exposure to HCV can anti-HCV be detected?

HCV infection can be detected by anti-HCV screening tests (enzyme immunoassay) 4–10 weeks after infection. Anti-HCV can be detected in >97% of persons by 6 months after exposure.

http://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/HCV/HCVfaq.htm#c5

[upshotphx]

The most likely scenario is that you  were exposed and your body managed to fight it off.  Get a follow-up pcr if youd like, but the antibody test only shows that you have had exposure. The pcr tells  you whether there is actual virus, so if it says no then your almost certainly clear. I went through a similar thing. After 4 years of having it my body spontaneously cleared it. Count your blessings. Co ngratulations