Aa
What is the difference of "CHRONIC" HCV and just HCV?
OK - don't laugh folks.
What is the distinction between CHRONIC HEPATITIS C --- and HEPATITIS C?
Is there a difference metabolically - or biologically - or scientifically?
Thanks - and here's to hoping you guys are all having a GREAT DAY!!!
Meki
What is the distinction between CHRONIC HEPATITIS C --- and HEPATITIS C?
Is there a difference metabolically - or biologically - or scientifically?
Thanks - and here's to hoping you guys are all having a GREAT DAY!!!
Meki
I really don't know much about RA at all, so I can't comment on it in any real detail. But I do know that RA is thought to be associated with autoimmune issues. As I'm sure you already know, autoimmunity is where the body's own immune system attacks itself in one way or another. And interferon is known to cause or trigger autoimmune flareups in some people, including RA. I don't know much about your treatment history, or if you had any problems with RA prior to treatment, or if you have any family history for it. But interferon can definitely play havoc on some people's joints, that's for sure. It screwed up the bones in my feet and ankles for quite a while after treatment. I was hobbling around like an old man every morning until I got warmed up. It seems to have passed though in recent months, haven't had to hobble after getting out of bed in quite a while now. Hopefully your "hobbling" (or however it is manifested) will abate over time like mine has.
Lastly, my mom has arthritis. She had trouble walking about 10-15 years ago, so she read up on it. She modified her diet (don't recall in what way) and started taking high quality glucosamine chondroitin supplements, and she swears it made her feel better. And I can attest she's able to go for long walks again and overall has very good mobility. She travels all over the world and enjoys herself. And I think there is some reputable evidence that glucosamine chondroitin really does help with arthritis, but I haven't really looked into it myself. Anyway, hopefully you get it sorted out soon - you're way too young to be bothered with RA just yet!
Lastly, my mom has arthritis. She had trouble walking about 10-15 years ago, so she read up on it. She modified her diet (don't recall in what way) and started taking high quality glucosamine chondroitin supplements, and she swears it made her feel better. And I can attest she's able to go for long walks again and overall has very good mobility. She travels all over the world and enjoys herself. And I think there is some reputable evidence that glucosamine chondroitin really does help with arthritis, but I haven't really looked into it myself. Anyway, hopefully you get it sorted out soon - you're way too young to be bothered with RA just yet!
Gotcha --- thanks guys - mremeet.
I was just wondering if my SOC/SVR trip down time frame could be responsible for the high rheumatoid factor running.
Thanks so much for your input - I kind of wish that the HCV SVR could be triggering it - then I could go about life.
But the aches and pains just aren't right - so I'm leaning towards something extrahepatic in the way that Interferon might have caused a pre-existing illness to just jump up early and bite my butt.
LOL!
Anyway - again thanks for your time.
Meki
I was just wondering if my SOC/SVR trip down time frame could be responsible for the high rheumatoid factor running.
Thanks so much for your input - I kind of wish that the HCV SVR could be triggering it - then I could go about life.
But the aches and pains just aren't right - so I'm leaning towards something extrahepatic in the way that Interferon might have caused a pre-existing illness to just jump up early and bite my butt.
LOL!
Anyway - again thanks for your time.
Meki
Bloodwork can determine if you are chronic vs acute, although no one test can determine acute vs chronic. Usually a combination of tests are performed over a period of time in order to ascertain if you have an acute or chronic infection (or if you are transitioning from acute to chronic). It also takes an experienced doctor to interpret these test results to distinguish between acute, chronic and transitional from acute to chronic. Sometimes identifying chronic vs acute is pretty straightforward, other times it isn't. For instance lets take a few examples:
Example 1 - Joe went to the doctor complaining of "liver pain" and fatigue. His doctor ran an HCV antibody test and liver enzyme (AST and ALT) test on him. The HCV antibody test came back strongly positive and liver enzymes were elevated many times above normal. Joe said he shared needles with some IV drug users recently, so his doctor suspects he is in the acute phase of an HCV infection. After running a PCR test (which detects the actual virus), the results come back positive - Joe has HCV, and it's probably in the acute phase. After Joe's diagnosis, his doctor continued to monitor him for the next several weeks to see if he would clear the virus on his own. Three months later Joe still tested positive for HCV antibodies, but his liver enzymes were back to normal. Joe also tested negative for HCV RNA using a very sensntive PCR test. It looks as if Joe was successful at fighting off the disease, and he also says he feels better lately. Joe was tested again a year later, he was still positive for HCV antibodies although his antibody level had dropped to a lower level, and he remained negative for the virus itself. His liver enzyme levels remained normal as well. With this outcome, Joe's doctor concludes that Joe had an acute HCV infection, but managed to clear it on his own (without treatment) and is not chronically infected. Joe will continue to be tested once a year for a few more years to ensure the virus does not come back (assuming he gives up IV drugs as well, of course).
Example 2 - Mary comes in to the doctor's office for a routine checkup. Her doctor orders a battery of standard tests and sees that her liver enzymes are elevated. He then orders a series of hepatitis tests, which then shows Mary scoring positive for HCV antibodies. He then orders the more expensive HCV RNA PCR test which detects the virus itself in Mary. She has a viral load of 2 million IU/ml - Mary is infected with HCV. Mary doesn't feel bad and doesn't seem to experience any symptoms other than a little fatigue occasionally. She doesn't know how she got the virus other than having a blood transfusion after childbirth 25 years earlier. The doctor then has Mary return for more PCR and enzyme level testing periodically for the next few months. Mary persistently tests positive for the HCV virus and her liver enzymes remain consistently elevated. Mary's doctor concludes Mary is chronically infected with HCV. She probably contracted the disease after receiving a transfusion in the 80's before HCV was screened in the blood supply.
Anyway, these are just two examples of how acute vs chronic infections are identified. There's a bit of tea reading going on in many cases, that's why it pays to see an experienced hepatologist once you test positive for any hepatitis antibodies.
Example 1 - Joe went to the doctor complaining of "liver pain" and fatigue. His doctor ran an HCV antibody test and liver enzyme (AST and ALT) test on him. The HCV antibody test came back strongly positive and liver enzymes were elevated many times above normal. Joe said he shared needles with some IV drug users recently, so his doctor suspects he is in the acute phase of an HCV infection. After running a PCR test (which detects the actual virus), the results come back positive - Joe has HCV, and it's probably in the acute phase. After Joe's diagnosis, his doctor continued to monitor him for the next several weeks to see if he would clear the virus on his own. Three months later Joe still tested positive for HCV antibodies, but his liver enzymes were back to normal. Joe also tested negative for HCV RNA using a very sensntive PCR test. It looks as if Joe was successful at fighting off the disease, and he also says he feels better lately. Joe was tested again a year later, he was still positive for HCV antibodies although his antibody level had dropped to a lower level, and he remained negative for the virus itself. His liver enzyme levels remained normal as well. With this outcome, Joe's doctor concludes that Joe had an acute HCV infection, but managed to clear it on his own (without treatment) and is not chronically infected. Joe will continue to be tested once a year for a few more years to ensure the virus does not come back (assuming he gives up IV drugs as well, of course).
Example 2 - Mary comes in to the doctor's office for a routine checkup. Her doctor orders a battery of standard tests and sees that her liver enzymes are elevated. He then orders a series of hepatitis tests, which then shows Mary scoring positive for HCV antibodies. He then orders the more expensive HCV RNA PCR test which detects the virus itself in Mary. She has a viral load of 2 million IU/ml - Mary is infected with HCV. Mary doesn't feel bad and doesn't seem to experience any symptoms other than a little fatigue occasionally. She doesn't know how she got the virus other than having a blood transfusion after childbirth 25 years earlier. The doctor then has Mary return for more PCR and enzyme level testing periodically for the next few months. Mary persistently tests positive for the HCV virus and her liver enzymes remain consistently elevated. Mary's doctor concludes Mary is chronically infected with HCV. She probably contracted the disease after receiving a transfusion in the 80's before HCV was screened in the blood supply.
Anyway, these are just two examples of how acute vs chronic infections are identified. There's a bit of tea reading going on in many cases, that's why it pays to see an experienced hepatologist once you test positive for any hepatitis antibodies.
The main hallmark of a chronic HCV infection is just that - you are chronically and persistently infected with the virus. It doesn't go away after the acute phase. If you are SVR, you are no longer chronically infected with HCV.
However, even as an SVR you can still experience chronic symptoms that may be associated with your previous HCV infection and/or the after effects of its treatment (like RA, complications associated with cirrhosis, skin problems, autoimmunity issues etc). Sometimes those health problems will outlive the virus and can definitely be considered chronic if they don't go away.
However, even as an SVR you can still experience chronic symptoms that may be associated with your previous HCV infection and/or the after effects of its treatment (like RA, complications associated with cirrhosis, skin problems, autoimmunity issues etc). Sometimes those health problems will outlive the virus and can definitely be considered chronic if they don't go away.
Can I laugh a leetle :) ? You been here so long, lol.
If you are SVR you have NO HCV, at all ;)
Bill ..."HCV by timeframe; HCV RNA detected up to six months post exposure "...
Thats what I think, but when I first got dx he did the labs (after I asked) and next app. he said 'you have chronic HCV', without him knowing anything else, my history,risk factors, etc. Of course, this is the same place that missed it totally for 10 years also.
LL
If you are SVR you have NO HCV, at all ;)
Bill ..."HCV by timeframe; HCV RNA detected up to six months post exposure "...
Thats what I think, but when I first got dx he did the labs (after I asked) and next app. he said 'you have chronic HCV', without him knowing anything else, my history,risk factors, etc. Of course, this is the same place that missed it totally for 10 years also.
LL
In my case I am losing some hair, a friend of mine also said he was losing hair prior to tx. During tx you lose alot more, I remember me and my friend and our wives went to Sea Ranch for a few days and his hair was all over the place, poor fool. I can say that as we've been friends for over 30 years. I have geno1 and I know some of the people above had geno3 if that makes a difference, the only dif I know about is 6 month tx as opposed to my 48 or 72 upcoming weeks. later
I cound just have been the IFN that caused the high reading of the Rheumatoid Factor.
IFN can cause AI stuff, but then so can HCV.
btw you are ex hcv now, nothing chronic about you.
CS
IFN can cause AI stuff, but then so can HCV.
btw you are ex hcv now, nothing chronic about you.
CS
Check your family tree. If you are genitically inclined to RA, tx can bring it into play. Were you checked for autoimmune diseases prior to tx?.......Leah
"If you are svr, you do not have chronic hcv"
That's what my line of thinking is... However because of the recent blood test - I was concerned if the HCV caused the high reading of the Rheumatoid Factor.
Chronic Hep is something that might cause it - however I was of the belief that I was SVR - therefore not chronic ...
I'm trying to hit every base.
Meki
Today's a very bad day with all the pain - so it's becoming very important to find the cause - So I'm doing a lot of research.
That's what my line of thinking is... However because of the recent blood test - I was concerned if the HCV caused the high reading of the Rheumatoid Factor.
Chronic Hep is something that might cause it - however I was of the belief that I was SVR - therefore not chronic ...
I'm trying to hit every base.
Meki
Today's a very bad day with all the pain - so it's becoming very important to find the cause - So I'm doing a lot of research.
Chronic is what we were prior to svr. My hep puts "sustained viral responder" under the diagnosis section of my chart.
OK my question is based on --- People with CHRONIC HCV may return certain signs and symptoms....
I'm just wondering if 1 year plus post TX --- if I fall under CHRONIC HCV....
Yanno?
I'm just wondering if 1 year plus post TX --- if I fall under CHRONIC HCV....
Yanno?
Hi Meki,
Someone will probably give you a more precise definition, but ‘chronic’ HCV is usually compared to ‘acute’ HCV by timeframe; HCV RNA detected up to six months post exposure is considered ‘acute’ infection, while the same detected after 6 months is considered ‘chronic’.
Happy Mother’s day to you, I hope you have something fun planned. Oh, and I didn’t laugh because of Mother’s day… ask the same question tomorrow, and look out!
Bill :o)
Someone will probably give you a more precise definition, but ‘chronic’ HCV is usually compared to ‘acute’ HCV by timeframe; HCV RNA detected up to six months post exposure is considered ‘acute’ infection, while the same detected after 6 months is considered ‘chronic’.
Happy Mother’s day to you, I hope you have something fun planned. Oh, and I didn’t laugh because of Mother’s day… ask the same question tomorrow, and look out!
Bill :o)
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