test questions

[jockojohnson]

if you test .02 for hep c is there a possibbility that your number can climb in time ?or is 4 months - conclusive. and also if hsv came back neg at less than .90 shouldnt it be 0 to be negative how can you have a little of something and still be neg.or should i retest in 4-6 weeks to see  if the numbers change.hsv1/2 igg a/blessthan .90.hep c antibody signal to cutoff 0.02

[mkh9]

I read this on the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) site for HCV:

The average time from exposure to antibody to HCV (anti-HCV) seroconversion is 8--9 weeks, and anti-HCV can be detected in >97% of persons by 6 months after exposure.  So it looks like another test at 6 months is better and maybe even at 1 year. The likely hood obviously is low after 6 months.

mkh9

[mkh9]

So the cut off for hep c on the test you had is </= 0.02? and the result 0.02 and was called negative? Also, the result for the herpes was 0.90 and it was called negative right?

Usually, the laboratory sets up ranges for negative and  positive. the range doesn't have to be zero to be negative. So if they said that it was negative at  <0.90  then it is negative. That is just the way they dilute the sample. It has nothing to with whether you had any virus (antigen) in the sample. You are negative.

4 months (12 weeks) should be good for both Hepatitis C and Herpes.

However, For Herpes none of the tests for IgM or IgG antibodies are 100%. Some tests are 98% some are 99% Sensitive. The best way to tell is if you actually have a blister and check that by PCR. So, generally speaking you appear to be negative. Was this test IgM or IgG? Was it for type I or type II?  Most people have IgG antibodies (past infection) for  type I but not type II. Type I cold sores not genital herpes that is. Does this explain things for you? If not let me know.
mkh9