Hepatits C

My fiance was vaccinated for Hep B or C three years ago and recently started donating plasma and was told his blood tested positive for Hepatits C. Could he have gotten this from the vacination? And if so, could I contract it? How?
I myself was vacinated approximately ten years ago for Hep C.

Thank you

[shyann_1963]

He was tested again 10-13 and I was tested today 10-14 and we will find out the results on Monday the 17th of October

[jmjm530]

Glad you both got re-tested, but try and find out exactly what test you both got. Was it another anti-body test or was it a PCR test. If you don't know, ask your doctor -- better yet, ask the doctor to mail or fax you the actual test printout.

--Jim

[NYgirl]

I might be wrong but I don't believe there is a vaccine for hepatitis C yet.

Somebody else will be along shortly I am SURE...but to my knowledge there is only vaccines for A&B.

I hope I'm wrong though!

Best of luck,

[jmjm530]

There is no vaccine for hepatis C. Therefore your boyfriend couldn't have gotten it from a vaccine. Vaccine's available only for hep a and b.

His "positive" hep c test may only be a positive anti-body which doesn't mean he has the virus. He should see a liver specialist and have a viral load PCR test to find out if he has the virus. There is probably a 20-30 per cent chance he doesn't have the virus. You might also want to get tested.

-- Jim

[rifleman]

There is no vaccine for hepatitis C.  Only A and B.
DJL

[shyann_1963]

if he did not get vacinated for hep b would his bood test show he has the anti bodys

[jmjm530]

The reason I recommended a liver specialist is that frankly I've been shocked at how little some general practioner's seem to know about this disease. Some no doubt would confuse an antibody result with a PCR. But, yes, if you *specify* you want a PCR test, then I guess any doctor can order it.

-- Jim

[cuteus]

if he shows positive for the hep b antibodies, it is most likely due to the vaccine he received. If he shows positive for the hep c antibodies, it is because he was exposed to infected blood somehow and his body responded with the creation of antibodies. He now needs a test called PCR to determine if the virus is still in his blood.

[shyann_1963]

thank you jim, you have been a big help to us. we will let you know how things work out.

[GoofyDad]

Shayann - Jim's given you sound advice, but let's ask him about why a liver specialist now. I see no reason your family doc(s) shuldn't be able to determine whether there are active hep c infections.

If you need further info, you've found a great source with these guys.

[jmjm530]

Hepatitis b and c are two completely different viruses. An antibody for one has nothing to do with an antibody for another.

If your boyfriend has an antibody for hep c, it means that some time in his past he was exposed and became infected with the virus.  20-30% of all people who become infected clear the virus themselves due to a strong immune system. These people do not have the virus and need no treatment but they will carry the antibody for the rest of the life. This antibody is what the blood screening test picks up. Hopefully your boyfriend will be in the 20-30% who have gotten rid of the virus by themself. But the only way to know is for him to get what we call a viral load (PCR) test. Make sure he gets tested, consider getting tested yourself, and let us know.

-- Jim

[shyann_1963]

well we got one of our tests back and my fiance test showed he has the hep-c anti-bodies so the dr. is haveing more tests done so we hope to hear something in the next day or to me well my test is not back yet

[shyann_1963]

Good Day Everyone,

Just wanted to update you. My fiances test came back positive again, so they took more blood. This time they are going to seperate the blood and freeze it, to do further testing. Mine came back negative. We will keep you posted.

[cuteus]

they are finally doing a PCR test, which they should have done after he tested positive for antibodies a while back. Oh well. This PCR will tell if the virus is still active in his blood or if he cleared it on his own.
It sounds as if you are out of the woods.