Hepatits

[roshnipatel27]

I am a health care worker that was stuck by a needle 6 and a half weeks ago with a dirty needle. Unfortunately i dont know if the pt had hepatitis c becuase the hosptial wouldnt test him. anyways since this thursday my scalp is flaking big flakes but no itching. everytime i brush my hair or simple run my hands through it, big flakes of dead scalp skin flakes and sticks to my hair. its all over the place and i have to pick it for hours. is this a sign or symptom of early hep c infection. i had  a test done 40 days post exposure and it was negative. how long should i wait before i should retest?

[MIBunny55]

Gotta admit I been dealing with my HepC about 15 years now and never had any scalp problems from it.  On the interferon treatments there are many who have skin problems including myself. Perhaps talk with your family physician or even hair salon will offer more relief?
Good Luck and I truly hope you did not test positive!

[Douglas Dieterich, MD]

one way to know for sure is to ask to get tested with HCV Quantitative RNA test now. If you have it ( and that is unlikely) then the PCR will be positive while the antibody test is negative. Symptoms of hepatitis do not include scalp issues, the other answer is correct, we see that with treatment, not disease. Good luck!
DTD

[roshnipatel27]

you said to get a quantitative test done. what number indicates that i have been infected bc labcorp results come less than or greater than a number. how good would a qualititative test be instead?

[Douglas Dieterich, MD]

Quantitative test is more accurate and easier to diagnose false + results. HCV does not live at low levels unless it is on the way up or down. To be absoultely sure do quants 1 month apart. Good Luck! DTD

[blurain]

A related discussion, How worried should I be? was started.