hcv rna pcr testing

At how many days (weeks) post exposure is hcv rna pcr qualitative testing
considered valid (if ever) for either pos. or neg. result.  I know that IgG
at 12 - 16 weeks is the standard but cannot find any data on the pcr for
early detection.

[Bill1954]

Q) How soon after exposure to HCV can HCV RNA be detected by PCR?

A) HCV RNA appears in blood and can be detected as early as 2–3 weeks after infection.

http://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/HCV/HCVfaq.htm

--Bill

[willyt520]

Thanks for the link Bill.  But let me ask the same thing in a different way for you or anyone else:  

Is a negative HCV RNA by PCR test ever considered a "stand alone" negative for HCV.  And if so at what time frame post exposure.

Everything I read references confrimation for pos. IgG

[Bill1954]

Yes, HCV RNA by PCR should be fine as stand alone testing for active RNA virus. Antibody testing is cost effective way to screen large groups and single out individuals at risk for further evaluation. PCR results should be considered conclusive for presence of active infection. I believe you could test within 2-3 weeks of infection, as stated in the above CDC link.

Good luck,

-Bill

[bro444]

Good day

I want to ask you,  may be a possibility that the HCV RNA PCR could not find a virus and it was a false negative result??? This test was made ​​16 weeks after the suspected infection.
Please give me answer.

[hrsepwrguy]

No chance, PCR can pick up on the virus as soon as 2 wks after possible exposure and is the gold standard of testing, move on with your life.

[bro444]

In addition to understanding how much is still possible that the virus is still not found?
I also had a vaccination against hepatitis B, 1.5 months ago, please tell me where is now necessary to make inquiries??

[hrsepwrguy]

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/HIV-Prevention/Dr-Mervyn-Tyrer--MB-BCh-Dip-HIV-Medicine--Freedomhealth-London/show/1636111#post_7444699

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/HIV-Prevention/Question/show/1632658#post_7433767

It is very clear you have a problem but it is not hep or hiv, you DO NOT have hep c and they WOULD NOT have given you a hep b vaccine if you had been exposed, accept your test results and move on with your life, your question has been answered, no one here can help you any further.