Test results?

When i went to donate blood, I received notification that my initial screening test was reactive for antibodies to Hepatitis C.  My RIBA was negative, and my NAT (PCR) was also negative.  I am a firefighter/first responder, but I don't have any of the other risk factors (no tattoos, no IV drug use).  What do these results mean?  Thank you so much!

[Bill1954]

Hi Sonny—

You’re fine. The HCV antibody test is designed to screen large pools of the population and is subject to a relatively high number of false positive results. It relies heavily on follow up testing such as RIBA and NAT testing methodology.

If either a HCV RIBA or PCR test is negative, you won’t have the actual virus; especially the PCR test, which is highly specific for active RNA infection.

As a first responder, you guys might want to test occasionally anyway, just for routine surveillance.

Keep up the good work out there—

Bill

[sonnyb1]

Thank you for your help - I appreciate you sharing your knowledge.  Congratulations on your SVR, and best of luck for continued good health.
I am interested in possibly getting involved in providing support for those affected with HCV- fundraising, volunteering, etc.  Do you know of any ideas of where I could get started?  
Thanks again!

[Bill1954]

I don’t work in advocacy; I imagine you could always contact the American Liver Foundation, I know they are always soliciting me for participation in walks, stuff like that. I don’t have a specific contact for them though; and I don’t know what your interests are. Here’s a link to their liverwalk page:

http://go.liverfoundation.org/site/PageServer?pagename=llw09_main

Additionally, we have a member in here that is involved in national advocacy; her name is Susie, and if you want to send her a private message, I think she’ll be happy to offer some ideas and thoughts. Feel free to tell her I sent you her way if you like:

http://www.medhelp.org/personal_pages/user/1094801

Good luck, and thanks for your interest—

Bill

[sonnyb1]

Thanks again, Bill!

[Anne1717]

Hi Sonny  - I tested Acute HCV positive in July through Red Cross.  I didn't know a thing about HCV and have no risk factors.  What I have learned and what I didn't know is that this disease affects all kinds of people and with no apparent boundaries.   I am now committed to alert whomever that they should be tested regardless of their risk factors or lack thereof.  There are many on this forum and the CDC itself say that it is blood to blood.  Most likely they are correct but then it only leaves my mode of contracting it through the medical profession.

I hope it is not true but I also hope that it is.  Otherwise it is easier to get than we think.  All I know is that if I can get it, anyone can.  That scares me.  It is not  a snobby thing on my part but a dose of reality.  

My advocacy from now on will be to get as many as I can tested.  Maybe many will think this hyper reactive but I think it is necessary.

It is my opinion only,  but it is not a "druggie" disease and it is erroneous to think that it is.

I am sorry to those who disagree with me.

[Trinity4]

To date, the most common mode of transmission is IV drug use.  There will always be a percentage who do not fall in that category so I don't think it's erroneous that society associates HCV with drug use.  Unfortunately those who did not contract the disease in that manner must bear the stigma.

Trinity

[Jakied]

the Hcv testing algorithm with screening test pos, riba neg and pcr neg means

the screening test was false pos and you were never infected with Hcv.

I had the same scenario a few years back and waiting 4 days on the riba test was

torture.  Your screening test was probably a 'weak pos' with a signal <2.

weak pos screening tests are usually riba neg and pcr neg.

fyi