Please HELP!

[Indian26]

Hi,

first of all, thank you to all the team and experts who are helping in answering everyone queries,

I have one of my very close friend  is diagonised with HEP C ANTIBODY REACTIVE cutoff rate 2.35 at the age of 18years old.
3 years back, in 2009 we went for routine checkup , where her Hep c reports showed reactive 3.5, we asked her to see the dr. but she was scared to, now in again when i pushed her for checkup in Oct 2011, because i was worried, the report again shows reactive 2.35 but it decreased from 3.5 to 2.5. is it a postitive sign? we also went to see the doctor, he suggested for liver LFT and also RNA. RNA result showed RNA not detected and the liver is also normal so now what should she do?? she wants her reports to show it unreactive?

Is there a way or any treatement that can cure her from the virus? or hepc reactive means she will get it and she has to do over 3-6 months liver treatment, i am confused. We are planning to apply for schloarship but shes afraid she will be rejected if her medicals show HEP C reactive. Please help!

[Indian26]

I have been reading few posts .. where genotype is mentioned. what is genotype? Is a test suggested after RNA? do u think i should suggest my friend to find her genotype?

[Indian26]

@ suezeeque : It sure didnt include? because we are told we will have to pass all the medical tests including HEP B, C and HIV. well i really hope it doesnt .

Yeah the RNA test shows undetected but Dr also suggested she should keep Testing RNA every 6 months. I hope it frequently shows the same result. But yes one more question, HEP C reactive means the person can get infected, like is there a possibilty that she might get the infection in future, like say 10 years after today? If the anitobides are reactive, is there a possibility that she will get infected in future?

Guys, i really appreciate all your response. Thank you so muchh!

[hrsepwrguy]

"Also when will we know if its chronic Hep C?"

You already know it is not chronic due to the negative RNA result. The RNA test picks up on the virus directly so she doesn't actually have HCV, she is positive for the antibodies that the immune system produced and used to fight off the infection when she was originally exposed. The cut off rate for the antibodies test has nothing to do with whether she has an active HCV infection or not.

[suezeeque]

I thought that my U.S. immigration medical included HCV testing.  It did not.

[Indian26]

ya i hope so.

Also when will we know if its chronic Hep C? will the cut off rate tell us? or any other test?

what is the normal cut off rate ? is 2-3.5 normal or somethin to worry about?

[crigger]

Surely they would know that. Having antibody is a lot different for having chronic hep c.