Husband Positive for Hep C antibodies...

[max45]

What a wonderful forum you have here.

My husband was tested positive for Hep C anti, (ELISA) which was confirmed my RIBA, I tested negative 2 months ago.
We are both awaiting the results of the test to see if either of us has the virus, I decided to test to put my mind at ease.
My full blood count and Liver function Tests were normal my husbands were also normal apart from his GGT being slightly elevated at 67 (normal 0-60) our Doctor was not too worried about this as his alt and other levels were normal.
We were about to start IVF treatment so are very worried what impact this result will have on that, does anyone here have any experience in this field?
Also it seems an eternity to have to wait for the virus results what are the chances that I will be positive after a negative antibody test? and is it possible that my husband could come back negative after his liver function tests and the fact that he has no symptoms?

Any info and advice would be very much appreciated as we are devastated and have no idea what to expect

Max45

[denzelbrown]

i am in ur exact position, will the IVF clinics even allow the procedure if the husband is hep c +?
thanks

[mremeet]

The odds you have HCV are very small if your antibody test is negative. Technically it is possible that you may have been very recently infected and your antibody test would be negative, but HCV is not easily transmitted during most modes of human contact (it's difficult to transmit sexually too). Overall I'd say the odds are overwhelmingly in your favor that you dont have it (bit of course follow up with a viral load test and perhaps additional testing in the weeks.months to come to put your mind at ease). As for your husband, he may or may not have it. Since he scored + on HCV antibodies that means he was exposed to the virus at one time or another. That means one of two things" (1) either he's actively infected right now (with either an early "acute" infection, or a long term persistent "chronic" infection), or (2) he was exposed in the past but his body managed to fend the virus off and he cleared naturally on his own. About 1 in 5 people who are exposed to HCV manage to get rid of it on their own. So it's definitely possible he doesn't actually have the virus itself, only its harmless aftereffects (i.e. the HCV antibodies). His normal liver enzymes suggests he might not have it too, although some people do maintain normal enzyme levels while being actively infefcted with HCV. Bottomline is that he'll have to be PCR tested for actual virus (instead of just antibodies). best of luck, hope it all works out for you both.

[Hepatitis Researcher]

mremeet you will soon pass the boards exam. Very comprehensive .
Max, the gammaGT "slight elevation" cauld mean that your husband it at risk for type II diabetes. Is he overweight??
Also the exact ALT values are needed to judge,  if they were "normal". New guidelines are now worked out by the AASLD, that have much more stringent upper limits to catch people with mild hepatic disease. If his ALT is say 38, he is more likely to have "HCV PNALT" or fatty liver disease.

[jmjm530]

Most was covered, but you should both test for viral load (PCR test) now, and in several months. Reason being that in the event you or your husband is in the acute stage (six months after exposure) viremia may be intermittent, meaning it may go in and out of the detectible range, especially very early on. Doubtful given the liver enzymes reported, but possible. All said, the chances of you having the virus are probably small while the odds of your husband having it are probably around 70-80 per cent. Further testing will tell.

-- Jim

[Hepatitis Researcher]

Are you thinking that the chance for sexual transmission are higher than the usual consensus reached at the frequent threads here in this regards, so that it would justify a PCR on Max? I think her doc will not prescribe the test for her, otherwise all couples would have to have paired  PCRs. Maybe his PCR should be first, if he is high, she also might need PCR testing.
Do you remember the thread long time ago where we discussed the frequent positivity of partners when tested with an immunological class two T cell reactivity test, that often interferes with HCV viral spread at the mucosal level, precluding systemwide infection to the extent that not even antibodies are produced? Remember the story of the NIH treated husband whose forbidden sexual encounters with his wife have been discovered by the simultaneous flaring of her  in vitro T-cell response? Who made the comment " Are you having secret cameras installed in my bedroom? And the story of the Nairobi sex workers that after years got finally infected after too long a "vacation", so their mucosal Tcell immunity reached ineffective barrier levels?All as seen on Medhelp.

[jmjm530]

HR: Are you thinking that the chance for sexual transmission are higher than the usual consensus reached at the frequent threads here in this regards, so that it would justify a PCR on Max?
-----------------
I lost you there and def lost you with the hidden camera :) No, I think her chances of having HCV are small given the negative riba paired with the uncommon transmission of HCV amoung monagamous couples. But as long as we seemed to be covering all bases -- if she was theoretically acute, then a PCR might not pick that up very early, therefore the suggestion they both have another PCR in a few months. Maybe they can get a two for one coupon at your lab? Anyway, we have a much more interesting discussion going on in the "Menses" thread re sexual matters :)

All the best,

-- Jim

[mremeet]

Ha! Thanks for the vote of confidence, but I think I'll pass on the boards exam. ;-) And I vaguely recall the discussion concerning a sort of partial immunity that monogamous partners may acquire after being with their HCV infected significant other for a period of time. There has to be something to that theory, there's just got to be. There's just too much HCV laden fluidal contact and microcuts/abrasions on both parties throughout thousands of sexual encounters over the course decades amongst so many "normal" married couples to be explained otherwise. And virtually no cross-infections amongst them? Not even antibodies? Something's up, something's got to be up. Seems like even in the world of nasty viruses, monogamy pays dividends. I guess all that mumbo jumbo I was subjected to at church as a kid has a certain truth to it after all.

[mremeet]

By the way, I just realized the max post above is nearly 5 years old. Hope max and her husband eventually sorted out their problems anyway. lol

[jmjm530]

OK. Read your post again and am clear on the first part, but still not the hidden cameras :)  As to Max's PCR, probably not necessary if husband tests negative on his PCR, but what if she was the one who gave it to him and he cleared naturally but she is still in the acute stage. Just thought easier to cover all bases and close all doors with two PCRs spread out.

[jmjm530]

LOL. You're not kidding either. Well, this wouldn't be the first time here that we're all talking to ourselves, would it be? I do hope Max and hubby lived happily after ever and HCV free.

-- Jim

[denzelbrown]

nobody seems to know if her IVF clinic accepted her or her husband? what if was hep c positive? then can the clinic deny assisted reproduction procedures?
thanks

[youtoo]

I'm originally from africa, and tested positive for hep c in 2005.  Been in the U.S for almost 10 years and cannot figured out how and when i contracted the virus.  Well, being from an African country might explain it considering I had not had sex until 2006 with my current boyfriend (4 years and some month together now).  My ALT levels were 10 in 2005 and I did do a HCV ab, RIBA test 2 days after that and the test was negative.  I'm not sure what that means.  I mean my doc explained it all but I still get confused.  I do lots of reading on the topic but some are even more confusing.  It has afffected my relationship with my boyfriend because I'm very afraid that I might pass it on to him (he knows all about it and has been very supportive) and it something I cannot live with.  
Did another set of tests 2 days ago (5/29/08) and I'm nervous about the results since it's been awhile since my last testing were done.  What results can I expect from my last testing.  The supense is killing me and should I be worried about passing it on to my boyfriend.  
Someone please help me understand........:-(