Hepatitis c antibody reliable 3 Months

[vosk]

Hello everybody,
I want to ask some question, i get tested for hcv antibody at 9 weeks and 12 weeks after my high exposure, and i came negative for both. But now at 16 weeks i develop some generalised body itch with red small raised bumps.
my question is :
1. is the test is accurate for 3 months? because some article says 6 months is the accurate one.
2. how is itch symptom for hepatitis c? is it include some rash?
Thx everybody..

[can-do-man]

"bump"

OH MY

[vosk]

bump

[vosk]

Thx for the response :)
So itch is not the acute hepatitis c symptom, I feel relieve to hear that..
Guys do you think I have to test again 3 months after?
My exposure is, I have sex with csw, but I have some blister at base of my penis.. I scared that her vaginal fluid enter my blister. I don't know if she at her period or not..

[HectorSF]

"after my high exposure"
So you  exchanged blood with someone chronically infected with hepatitis C?

From the CDC.

How is HCV transmitted?

* HCV is transmitted primarily through large or repeated percutaneous (i.e., passage through the skin) exposures to infectious blood, such as

- Injection drug use (currently the most common means of HCV transmission in the United States)
- Receipt of donated blood, blood products, and organs (once a common means of transmission but now rare in the United States since blood screening became available in 1992)
- Needlestick injuries in health care settings
- Birth to an HCV-infected mother

HCV can also be spread INFREQUENTLY through

- Sex with an HCV-infected person (an inefficient means of transmission)
- Sharing personal items contaminated with infectious blood, such as razors or toothbrushes (also inefficient vectors of transmission)
- Other health care procedures that involve invasive procedures, such as injections (usually recognized in the context of outbreaks)

How soon after exposure to HCV can anti-HCV be detected?

* HCV infection can be detected by anti-HCV screening tests (enzyme immunoassay) 4–10 weeks after infection. Anti-HCV can be detected in >97% of persons by 6 months after exposure.

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

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

A rash is NOT a symptom of hepatitis C infection.

What are the signs and symptoms of acute HCV infection?

* Persons with newly acquired HCV infection usually are asymptomatic or have mild symptoms that are unlikely to prompt a visit to a health care professional. When symptoms occur, they can include

    Fever
    Fatigue
    Dark urine
    Clay-colored stool
    Abdominal pain
    Loss of appetite
    Nausea
    Vomiting
    Joint pain
    Jaundice

What percentage of persons infected with HCV develop symptoms of acute illness?

Approximately 20%–30% of those newly infected with HCV experience fatigue, abdominal pain, poor appetite, or jaundice.

Good luck with your HCV antibody test.
Hector

[Dee1956]

Hi if the test was negative you have nothing to worry about
It takes years and years before you would have any symptoms
Itching is not a symptom of HCV until you have had for 20 to 40 years.
You are lucky, you do not have it
Enjoy your life.  This is good news! :)