How likely is A false positive for HCV

[90jaz]

i donated plasma for the first time last week. I am not high risk for HCV. I have never injected drugs, snorted drugs or even tried anything besides marijuana. I'm only 25 and I do not participate in unprotected sex with strangers or have anal sex. I received a letter saying that I had a reactive test result and to go to the plasma donation center. They told me I was permanently deferred due to the reactive result for hepatitis c. She said that it doesn't mean I'm positive but I need to consult a physician which I plan on doing asap. I'm terrified! I have two children and I've heard you can pass it to your children during child birth. The lady also mentioned that If I have a high fatty diet and drink alcohol regularly it can cause a false positive is this true? My dad also gets false positive results when tested for HCV but he is negative, could this have anything to do with my results? Please help. I am very careful to not put myself in situations where I may become infected with disease because I've always been afraid of it happening.

[90jaz]

Thank you surfsideGal, I will do the best I can.

[SurfsideGal]

The pharmaceutical companies have rather generous patient assistance programs and there are other organizations that help financially as well. Many people are treating for $5.00 per prescription. Please don't worry about that just yet. Get through the diagnostic process first. You may not even have hep C. Hang in there.

[90jaz]

Thank you Lynn. I'm worried that if I do have it I will not be able to afford the treatment.

[flyinlynn]

Yes that is true there are many people who don't know they have hep c unless they get tested. Especially for most any symptoms are mild unless they are amount the about 20% who end up developing liver damage over many years and the next 20% of that group who develop cirrhosis but that takes decades. I have had hep c for probably 37 years and I am still here.

But none of that will happen to you. The new meds just approved are of much shorter duration, much better tolerated, and highly effective at curing hep c.

So even if you somehow are infected with hep c, get treated, get cured. No worries.

Good luck
Lynn

[90jaz]

Thank you for the response. I am trying not to worry but it's really hard. I  am just hoping and praying it's false. I've read sometimes people never find out how they were infected. I don't have any symptoms but I also read how common that is with people who have Hep C so I'm still very nervous.

[SurfsideGal]

The risk of passing hepatitis C to your unborn child is about 4%. That means that 96% of babies born to hep C positive moms do NOT get the disease. Try not to panic. YOu need to get the positive test verified. A viral load test called HCV/RNA by PCR will tell you if you have hepatitis C. If it comes back undetected you do not have the virus. That would mean either your antibody test is a flase positive or you have been exposed and your body fought the virus off without treatment. At any rate, try not to worry too much. There are excellent treatments available now that cure the vast majority of patients with minimal side effects and in only 12 weeks.