hepatitis c postive and riba negative

i tested positive for hepatitis c in 1.18 ratio, the doctor to make sure send me to another test, the riba test and i tested negative, what it menas?

[Bill1954]

The first test is an ‘antibody test’. It is inexpensive, but very good for screening large groups of people; it is also not very specific.

The second test is considered very specific for HCV virus; the RIBA test should be the one that you follow. If the RIBA test is negative, you were likely never exposed to the virus to begin with.

You do not have Hepatitis C.

Bill

[Jakied]

The screening test for hep C, the Elisa antibody test, is VERY sensitive for all types of

antibody.  that is why a 'weak +,' a score of <3.8, is, in most case,  a false +.  The

confirmatory test, Riba, is VERY specific for the hep c antibody.  If that is neg, you are

home free and confirms the screening test was a false +.  Don't worry anymore.  You are

neg.

[kecw]

I just had this same result, yet I still show antibody +. Why??? What causes that?

[Bill1954]

Hmm…

The RIBA test is very conclusive to exposure to HCV virus; if RIBA is negative, then it is highly probable you were not exposed.  The most likely conclusion is that other antibodies similar to HCV triggered a false positive result in the HV antibody test.

Remember that the antibody test isn’t especially specific (accurate). It is designed to inexpensively screen large groups (or pools) of population, and relies heavily on follow up testing like RIBA or PCR.

Congrats on the negative RIBA—

Bill

[Himmy]

that is because you were exposed to hep c but your immune system fought it off and now you have the antibodies in your blood .. you do not have hep c :) lucky fella

[Himmy]

I think 5 % of hep c carriers fight off the disease on their own  and 5 % of carriers have rapid response to the pegetron , ribavirin treatment .. i was hep c free after week 4 of treatment :)