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Reliability of blood products donor testing
I donated plasma twice last year, and on the second instance I was told that I had tested positive for the Hep C antibody, but negative for the reactive test. I scheduled a doctor's appointment and had a second test performed, which came up negative for both the Hep C antibody and the RNA test.
My question is about the accuracy of the screening tests performed on each blood product donation: I had unprotected sex with someone of unknown status (albeit low-risk, she was a friend) a few times about 9 months before these blood product donations occurred. Would that have been sufficient time for antibodies for viral diseases, such as Hep C and HIV, to appear in my bloodstream and be registered accurately by the screening test?
Thanks in advance for your help.
My question is about the accuracy of the screening tests performed on each blood product donation: I had unprotected sex with someone of unknown status (albeit low-risk, she was a friend) a few times about 9 months before these blood product donations occurred. Would that have been sufficient time for antibodies for viral diseases, such as Hep C and HIV, to appear in my bloodstream and be registered accurately by the screening test?
Thanks in advance for your help.
Antibody tests can have "false" positives under certain circumstances. Antibodies to hep c can take up to 6 months to develop if you immune system is compromised. Generally if you test positive for hep c antibodies you will test positive for life.
I am not a biological chemist and cannot speak to the relative accuracy of differing methods of the HCV antibody screening test. Really it is a moot point as you do not have hep c.
Antibodies are not the hep c virus they are made by your body in response to the hep c virus when it tried to fight off infection.
In general hep c is not considered to be an STD although that generally applies to those in long term monogamous relationships. For those who engage in rough sexual practices, have multiple sex partners or in the presence of HIV infection the risk is higher and safe sex practices like condoms and other barrier protections should be utilized.
The bottom line as evidenced by your HCV RNA test you do not have hep c. The HCV RNA test is the definitive for determination of active hep c infection.
I am not a biological chemist and cannot speak to the relative accuracy of differing methods of the HCV antibody screening test. Really it is a moot point as you do not have hep c.
Antibodies are not the hep c virus they are made by your body in response to the hep c virus when it tried to fight off infection.
In general hep c is not considered to be an STD although that generally applies to those in long term monogamous relationships. For those who engage in rough sexual practices, have multiple sex partners or in the presence of HIV infection the risk is higher and safe sex practices like condoms and other barrier protections should be utilized.
The bottom line as evidenced by your HCV RNA test you do not have hep c. The HCV RNA test is the definitive for determination of active hep c infection.
Glad to hear of your negative results.
Here is some more information about how Hep C is transmitted that may help you understand this condition better in the future!
http://www.medhelp.org/hepatitis-c/articles/What-Is-Hepatitis-C/2251
Here is some more information about how Hep C is transmitted that may help you understand this condition better in the future!
http://www.medhelp.org/hepatitis-c/articles/What-Is-Hepatitis-C/2251
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