just a little confused

[rickyboy123]

I had tests done for a physical and also for sexual activity.......The doctor called me back a week ago and said I had possible exposure to hep C......so I went to the ER and had a tighter hep C test and it came back inactive.........I called my Urologist and asked what took so long to get the results back and he said that I was reactive....is that the same as exposure.......Because like I said after the doc called me i immediately went to the er to get tested and it came back as inactive to hep C.....am i ok?.........sorry for being so Narotic

[meki]

Anytime...

We learn from each other - and from doctors --- like you --- and we share that knowledge, hope and understanding.

Meki
PS. I'm just so very glad you're here.

[Douglas Dieterich, MD]

Meki said it all! That was perfect Meki. Thanks. Get tested often and use safe sex! good take home messages! DTD

[meki]

Ricky - I can hazard a few guesses for you here...

When people are exposed to Hepatitis C --- they go through what is known as an acute stage. For some reason there are a few who clear the virus NATURALLY.

Others do not.

Those that clear the virus may continue to have the Hepatitis C Virus Antibodies in their blood. Even though the Virus is not ACTIVE inside of them.

A VIRAL LOAD test and Genotype test is then performed per standard protocol once someone comes up positive with Hepatitis C.

The viral load measures how much of the virus is in your blood per millions or something like that. The tests perform to a very small amount now-a-days.

If there is no detectable virus in your blood, then you do not have an ACTIVE VIRUS.

Get your viral load checked every few years - just to make sure - but you should probably check your viral load again - just to confirm there were no problems with the test... And maybe have your doctor run the Hepatitis panel on you again to make sure you still come up positive.

Now --- about the SEXUAL EXPOSURE PART...

I HIGHLY doubt - unless you're having VERY ROUGH sex that you had exposure to Hepatitis C through Sexual Activity.

Hep C is a BLOOD BORNE PATHOGEN.

You MUST get Hepatitis C infected Blood into your blood stream.

For example - My husband and I have been very PROLIFIC in our sex lives and my husband does NOT have HEPC... nor does anyone in my family, for that matter.

OK so get this in order::::::


RETEST for a HEPATIC PANEL
(this tests for antibodies to hepatitis)

IF POSITIVE
HAVE A VIRAL LOAD TEST
(this tests to see how much of the virus is active in your blood)

IF NEGATIVE
RE-TEST IN ABOUT 2 YEARS TO CONFIRM YOU DO NOT HAVE A VIRAL LOAD ACTIVE IN YOUR BLOOD
(and go live your life happily)


That being said rickyboy123... Consider using safe sex practices, unless you are monogamous and try to stay away from risky behavior that can put you in a position to be exposed to Hepatitis C.

Much luck to you -- and I just wanted to relieve you a little bit so that you can stop chewing on your fingernails waiting for the Doc to check in with you.

Hepatitis Doctors are very busy -- they have a lot to constantly learn and they must devote a lot of time to learning and educating others... So it may be awhile before he can get back to you.

Are you OK?

Only your doctors can tell you that.

Are you being Neurotic?

Maybe - but who the heck cares? *GRIN*

Have a great day!

Meki