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Question

hi, i had unprotected sex with an individual infected with hcv. the contact happened on june 15th 2010. i was a freshman in college and waited 5 months to be tested. the results were negative. i had it done at my school. i asked the nurse what test was done but she didn't know. she said i was "in the clear" that i had waited long enough and did not need to be tested again. i also never showed any signs of having hcv. after this i moved on with my life. i donated blood in april, telling them of course about my unprotected sex. i never heard anything from them and received my blood donor card in the mail. for the past week i've been constipated and have also lost a lot of weight. (i have been working out quite a bit) but i'm wondering if i waited long enough to determine if i had hcv? should i get tested again or would i be wasting money? it costs me 600 dollars whenever i get blood work done..and the only symptom i've had is the weight loss. sometimes i get cramps on the right side of my stomach under my ribs but its not excrutiatingly painful, would i be in a lot of pain and not feeling well by now if i was infected?

lala2294 · Answer

thank you for all of your comments, i appreciate the help. i donated blood 10 months after the contact. was there enough time in between for it to be detected? should i have waited longer? would it be rare for somebody not testing positive after 10 months to exposure? i think i am going to get a physical and spend the 600 dollars anyway, if it means i can have some peace of mind and know for sure.

Anne1717 · Answer

Yes - mine was and that is how I found out.  I was infected probably in May through the medical profession of last year and by the middle of July the Red Cross sent a letter with a confirmation of HCV - that fast.  

I give blood - or DID give blood every 4-6 months so I think you can trust that you don't have it.

lala2294 · Answer

when i donated my blood in april would it have been detected?

coo19 · Answer

It is not common that HCV is transmitted through sex, unless you and your partner both had open sores in which blood was transfered from him to you. I would say you are in the clear especially if you got your blood donor card. I found out I had HCV because I donated blood and they screen that closely. If they keep letting you donate blood you are safe, if you do have HCV they will tell you so don't waste your money but also don't freak out. I have HCV and my partner does not and we have been together over a year now and never use protection since he had a vasectomy.