Aa
young and very worried
I am a young recovering IV drug user and have tested negative in the past. During my last relapse I did something dispicable and irrisponsible by using the cottons of someone who is positive. The last time this person went to their doctor, they were told that the virus was almost undetectable. The cottons that I had used were dried up and had been sitting in a bag for days. I am sorry If this is completely inappropriate but like I said I am young and very concerned. I guess my question is, does the fact that the person whos cottons I used has an almost undetectable level of virus in them reduce the risk of me contracting it? and I read that the virus can live outside of the body for a max of 4 days, and the cottons were about that old, would this have put me at less of a risk? I am going to be retested, I guess I am just asking if anyone with experience with this kind of thing can shed some light on my concerns. I know the obvious answer is to be tested as soon as possible, maybe I am just looking for good news, I don't know. But any words of advice would be very much appreciated.
Go to http://www.the body.com/cria/hepatitis/hcv.html.
This site has a lot of info about Hcv.
Will you let us know the outcome of your test? I have a feeling you will be neg.
This site has a lot of info about Hcv.
Will you let us know the outcome of your test? I have a feeling you will be neg.
I hope your tests are negative and please keep us posted when you get results! Best Wishes to You!
The test result for antibody takes a day or two. The Pcr takes about three days. Assuming you are neg, which I hope you are, test at 6 months for antibody and then you will be home free.
The Cdc says >97% will be + by 6 months for antibody.
If you are neg on the antibody AND Pcr after three months, then you are VERY safe.
The Cdc says >97% will be + by 6 months for antibody.
If you are neg on the antibody AND Pcr after three months, then you are VERY safe.
anyone who has been through the hell of addiction knows the insanity and desperation ensues, and that is the only thing I can think of that would have made me do what I did. Lesson learned. I have more clean time right now than I have ever since I was 16. I was tested today and now waiting for the results, anyone know how long this takes? On the blood work slip I took to the lab all it said was 'Hep C screen", So i'm not really sure on what kind of tests they will do. If I am negative (crossing my fingers) how long should I wait until I am tested again. I am really glad that I found this forum, thank you for your responses and suggestions. If in fact I am positive, I will do research but I will surely be asking many questions.
That really wasn't very smart at all as you know. You really have to be tested - and then as said tested again.
The common misconception is that the virus is dead because the blood has dried but tests have proved now that the virus doesn't die that quickly AT ALL and can live for days and days and "bleaching" a needle doesn't necessarily even guarantee you've killed it!!! Kind of the opposite we've always been thinking.
Personally since I have HepC and a pretty severely damaged liver and I never KNEW I had it for 20 years - I wish I had known these things much much earlier in life and might have been able to prevent getting this disease.
Be smart kiddo, it's just NOT worth the trouble. Can I ask why you used those cottons? You couldn't substitute anything else? What were they being saved in a bag for anyway?
The common misconception is that the virus is dead because the blood has dried but tests have proved now that the virus doesn't die that quickly AT ALL and can live for days and days and "bleaching" a needle doesn't necessarily even guarantee you've killed it!!! Kind of the opposite we've always been thinking.
Personally since I have HepC and a pretty severely damaged liver and I never KNEW I had it for 20 years - I wish I had known these things much much earlier in life and might have been able to prevent getting this disease.
Be smart kiddo, it's just NOT worth the trouble. Can I ask why you used those cottons? You couldn't substitute anything else? What were they being saved in a bag for anyway?
This is an Fyi. the Pcr qualitative test check for the presence of the hep c virus.
The screening test checks for antibodies to the virus. Everyone is different in how they will produce antibodies. That is why the pcr is reliable sooner than the antibody test. It checks for virus which is present in your body before your immune system produces antibodies. But since you are past three months, you have probably had enough time to make antibodies so go for the antibody test. this is much cheaper than the pcr, and at this point, probably as reliable.
This is my opinion. Anyone else care to comment on this?
The screening test checks for antibodies to the virus. Everyone is different in how they will produce antibodies. That is why the pcr is reliable sooner than the antibody test. It checks for virus which is present in your body before your immune system produces antibodies. But since you are past three months, you have probably had enough time to make antibodies so go for the antibody test. this is much cheaper than the pcr, and at this point, probably as reliable.
This is my opinion. Anyone else care to comment on this?
Yup. I'm just really trying to point out how STUPID taking a KNOWING chance really is. Nothing but Russian Roulette if you ask me.
You sound like you are an intelligent person who now has a good head on your shoulders. We all make stupid decisions. You live, learn, and move on. Good for you. Good luck at your doctors appt. I would go right for the PCR test if you have health insurance. If not, the antibody test should be helpful enough and is much cheaper. Please come back and let us know the results. We are happy to hear good news and if by chance the news isn't good, this is a wonderful support forum!
great news. I just managed to get an appointment w/ my pcp tomorrow morning, hopefully they will be able to take blood tomorrow to. I am done w/ the drug scene, runied my life, moving on now. thanks for everyones help on this. I am sure my doctor will know, but I want to ask again, which specific tests should I ask for?
In my opinion, the window period for Hcv is similar to Hiv. A three month test is a good indication, 6 months is definite. If you are between 3 and 6, an antibody is probably all you need. Go for an antibody test, hope for a neg (which I believe it will be) and STAY OUT of the drug scene. It is a dead end.
this all happened over three months ago. I've since been clean and in a program and have my life back. But since you said that, what specific kind of test SHOULD i ask for?
you probably have not waited long enough for a reliable antibody test. Get a Pcr qualitative test, which checks for the virus, not antibodies.
Good to hear that you are recovering and out of the scene. Stay out! You'll go nowhere, I've seen it. Buried my sister last year because she couldn't stay out. She had hep C, too. I suspect she had cirrhosis too. She had an abscess in an artery in her thigh...burst...her clotting factor was next to nothing. The doctors at Harborview couldn't stop her bleeding. She simply bled to death. I have many other horror stories from acquaintances.
It should be logical to assume that your buddy was not totally honest about how long the cottons were in a bag. If they were using, they had no concept of time and would just tell you what you wanted to hear so they wouldn't have to feel guilty. Also....anyone?....would the fact that they were in a bag (moist breeding ground) keep the virus alive longer? or is it strictly a blood thing? Anyway, YES, get tested soon and don't hesitate. Stay on the right track and don't fall into the "I have it, I might as well stay out there" mentality that I have seen people fall into. Stay smart! Good luck. God bless, I will pray for negative results.
It should be logical to assume that your buddy was not totally honest about how long the cottons were in a bag. If they were using, they had no concept of time and would just tell you what you wanted to hear so they wouldn't have to feel guilty. Also....anyone?....would the fact that they were in a bag (moist breeding ground) keep the virus alive longer? or is it strictly a blood thing? Anyway, YES, get tested soon and don't hesitate. Stay on the right track and don't fall into the "I have it, I might as well stay out there" mentality that I have seen people fall into. Stay smart! Good luck. God bless, I will pray for negative results.
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