Question.

[opopop]

Hi there. I'm just worried about a possible exposure to Hep C, and was wondering how long after the exposure I should wait to get tested. If anyone can answer that for me, it would be greatly appreciated. Also, can Hep C be fully cured? I've heard that it can from some, and that it can't from others. Thanks in advance!

[Jakied]

The Cdc says the window period for testing is 2 weeks to 26 weeks, with 7 weeks being the average.

Antibody tests are always more accurate as the number of days increases.

Hep C is only rarely transmitted sexually, usually male to female, not female to male.  Blood transfusion and drug use are the usual means of transmission.

Get an antibody test at 50 days and 90 days, for peace of mind.  You are probably neg.

[Marcia2202]

The incubation period for hep c is between 15-50 days, so if I was you I would wait the 50 days, as you could test negative, even if you were positive, before that.

Good luck,

Marcia

[opopop]

I greatly appreciate your replies, but you haven't answered my question: how long after the possible exposure should I wait to be tested? Thanks!

[opopop]

Also, something else I'd like to add. I haven't read about this anywhere, but I think it's a logical question to ask. I've drank alcohol a few times since my possible exposure, and I would end up feeling sick after only about 3 beers. Not falling over sick, but enough that I'd have to lie down. I know that Hep C affects the liver, so I was wondering if there could be any correlation?

[medicmommy]

While it is highly unlikely you got hep c from a sexual encounter, there are certainly other  things that could give you those symptoms...Yes, it's a good idea just to get a full physical, complete with blood tests that check you liver, kidney, and thyroid functions...Usually, unless you've had it for a very long time (decades in most) the hep c stays silent, only to be discovered by a routine blood test...Good luck...Hopefully you don't have this...The treatment can be as bad for your body as the disease itself...
                                                                                     ~Melinda

[opopop]

Hello! Thanks for the reply! It was a sexual encounter. I'm not sure if there would have been any blood to blood contact, I really doubt it. I'm mainly worried because I've had really itchy arms for the past few weeks, and joint pains and whatnot. I know they're not caused by anxiety because I was experiencing them before I read about the symptoms of Hep C. I already have a requisition from my doctor to go get a test done, so I figure I may as well use it even if it is unlikely that I contracted Hep C, I just wasn't sure when I should go get it done. Thanks!

[medicmommy]

Hello! Just so you know (and this may ease your mind a bit) hep c is spread by blood to blood contact only...Yes, Hep c can be "cured" in some people, once you've had it, you will always carry the antibody of it...And, like cancer, it can come back...So you will hear a person who no longer has a traceable amount of the virus say they have "SVR" which is a "sustained viral response" to the treatment...
What kind of exposure did you have? If it wasn't a direct blood to blood contact, it isn't likely you got it...