Aa
indeterminate hep C
sir i am a doctor who just graduated last month. as a routine i did a complete panel of tests and surprisingly IgG antihepatitis c came as doubtful. so i called the technician and found out that the titre was less than 8. Now i am very scared because have got admission into a surgical program in a top college . . . .
during my obstetric rotation i have had exposure to blood on unbroken skin - despite precautions and 1 needle stick injury 2 months back from a HIV, HBsAg negative lady.
i believe the above test to be a false positive result. i will be repeating the above screening test and also doing a PCR. but am very worried about the implications. please advise. . . to be safe would interferon therapy be indicated ?
during my obstetric rotation i have had exposure to blood on unbroken skin - despite precautions and 1 needle stick injury 2 months back from a HIV, HBsAg negative lady.
i believe the above test to be a false positive result. i will be repeating the above screening test and also doing a PCR. but am very worried about the implications. please advise. . . to be safe would interferon therapy be indicated ?
This is a hepatitis C forum. IgG is a antibody for hepatitis A not C. You mention hepatitis A (IgG), hepatitis B (HBsAg) and HIV.
If the total antibody test or hepatitis A IgG result is positive and you have not gotten the hepatitis A vaccine, you have had a hepatitis A infection, even if you were not aware of it. About 30% of adults over age 40 have antibodies to hepatitis A. Hepatitis A is a short term infection and does not cause long term liver damage.
If you have been given the vaccine, a positive result means you are immune to hepatitis A and generally cannot be reinfected by it.
There are forums that can provide more information about this other viruses.
Our experience and knowledge is about the diagnosis, liver staging, treatment, prognosis of chronically infected persons.
Obviously there are huge differences between each one of these viruses. 3 types of hepatitis you mention and the HIV virus. Talk to a knowledgeable doctor, surely you have contacts, and get the right tests at the right time and all of this can be easily figured out. As we say it doesn't talk a hepatologist to diagnose hepatitis C or B.
About.com
"HBsAG stands for hepatitis B surface antigen. When a healthcare provider orders blood tests to determine if someone is infected with the hepatitis B virus, one thing he is looking for is HBsAG in the blood. If it is found, along with other specific antibodies, it means the person has a hepatitis B infection. HBsAG, which is cleared within 4 to 6 months in self-limited infections (infections that resolve by themselves), can be detected in the blood during both acute infections (infections that come on suddenly) and chronic infections (infections that last for longer than 6 months). In addition to the signs and symptoms that a patient has, additional antibodies can be tested to distinguish between acute and chronic infections.
Acute hepatitis B is when a person exposed to the hepatitis B virus begins to develop the signs and symptoms of viral hepatitis. This period of time, called the incubation period, is an average of 90 days, but could be as short as 45 days or as long as 6 months. For most people this infection will cause mild to moderate discomfort but will go away by itself because of the body's efforts in fighting the virus.
Chronic hepatitis B is when a person has acute infection but is unable to get rid of the infection. Whether the disease becomes chronic or completely resolves depends mostly on the age of the infected person. About 90% of infants infected at birth will progress to chronic disease. However, as a person ages, the risk of chronic infection decreases such that between 20%-50% of children and less than 10% of older children or adults will progress from acute to chronic infection."
Best of luck to you!
Hector
If the total antibody test or hepatitis A IgG result is positive and you have not gotten the hepatitis A vaccine, you have had a hepatitis A infection, even if you were not aware of it. About 30% of adults over age 40 have antibodies to hepatitis A. Hepatitis A is a short term infection and does not cause long term liver damage.
If you have been given the vaccine, a positive result means you are immune to hepatitis A and generally cannot be reinfected by it.
There are forums that can provide more information about this other viruses.
Our experience and knowledge is about the diagnosis, liver staging, treatment, prognosis of chronically infected persons.
Obviously there are huge differences between each one of these viruses. 3 types of hepatitis you mention and the HIV virus. Talk to a knowledgeable doctor, surely you have contacts, and get the right tests at the right time and all of this can be easily figured out. As we say it doesn't talk a hepatologist to diagnose hepatitis C or B.
About.com
"HBsAG stands for hepatitis B surface antigen. When a healthcare provider orders blood tests to determine if someone is infected with the hepatitis B virus, one thing he is looking for is HBsAG in the blood. If it is found, along with other specific antibodies, it means the person has a hepatitis B infection. HBsAG, which is cleared within 4 to 6 months in self-limited infections (infections that resolve by themselves), can be detected in the blood during both acute infections (infections that come on suddenly) and chronic infections (infections that last for longer than 6 months). In addition to the signs and symptoms that a patient has, additional antibodies can be tested to distinguish between acute and chronic infections.
Acute hepatitis B is when a person exposed to the hepatitis B virus begins to develop the signs and symptoms of viral hepatitis. This period of time, called the incubation period, is an average of 90 days, but could be as short as 45 days or as long as 6 months. For most people this infection will cause mild to moderate discomfort but will go away by itself because of the body's efforts in fighting the virus.
Chronic hepatitis B is when a person has acute infection but is unable to get rid of the infection. Whether the disease becomes chronic or completely resolves depends mostly on the age of the infected person. About 90% of infants infected at birth will progress to chronic disease. However, as a person ages, the risk of chronic infection decreases such that between 20%-50% of children and less than 10% of older children or adults will progress from acute to chronic infection."
Best of luck to you!
Hector
Hello and welcome to the forum.
We are not doctors. We are just a group of people who happen to have Hepatitis C and are here for information and support.
I understand your fear and anxiety, but it would be best to wait until you get the next test results (your repeat screening test and your PCR) before contemplating any action or making any decisions.They may come back negative and you will not have to do anything.
Interferon treatment would not be indicated at this time because you do not know if you have Hepatitis C. You surely do not want to take interferon if you do not need it.
Wait for your test results. If they are negative, then you are fine. If they come pack positive and you have a viral load then you will need to seek out a qualified hepatologist at a medical center in your area (one who has experience treating Hepatitis C). If you have Hepatitis C that hepatologist will advise you on what your next steps should be.
Try not to worry too much. Hopefully your tests will be negative.
We are not doctors. We are just a group of people who happen to have Hepatitis C and are here for information and support.
I understand your fear and anxiety, but it would be best to wait until you get the next test results (your repeat screening test and your PCR) before contemplating any action or making any decisions.They may come back negative and you will not have to do anything.
Interferon treatment would not be indicated at this time because you do not know if you have Hepatitis C. You surely do not want to take interferon if you do not need it.
Wait for your test results. If they are negative, then you are fine. If they come pack positive and you have a viral load then you will need to seek out a qualified hepatologist at a medical center in your area (one who has experience treating Hepatitis C). If you have Hepatitis C that hepatologist will advise you on what your next steps should be.
Try not to worry too much. Hopefully your tests will be negative.
and by doubtful on clarification titre was found to be less than 8 but not negative. exact titre records were not available
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