Hcv

[ChloeMadison12]

I just found out yesterday that the girl i shared a needle with the only time i ever did it has tested positive for hcv. I tested for it along with hiv 4 1/2 months after this exposure and continued testing for only hiv up to 29 weeks after exposure (the last one being both antibody and viral load) and all were negative. Knowing she has hcv is making me wonder if I could also have it and my question is do i need further hiv testing as well? Would my body take longer than 29 weeks to develop hiv antibodies because it was also trying to build up hcv antibodies? Thank you for your help

[Teak]

You need to post STD questions in the STD Forum. This forum is HIV specifick.

[hrsepwrguy]

How soon after exposure to HCV can anti-HCV be detected?

HCV infection can be detected by anti-HCV screening tests (enzyme immunoassay) 4–10 weeks after infection. Anti-HCV can be detected in >97% of persons by 6 months after exposure.

How soon after exposure to HCV can HCV RNA be detected by PCR?

HCV RNA appears in blood and can be detected as early as 2–3 weeks after infection.

http://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/HCV/HCVfaq.htm#c5

IMO at 18 wks you are good to go but the CDC says 6 months to be conclusive.

[ChloeMadison12]

Yes and my hiv tests surpassed 24 weeks but my only hcv test was during the 18th/19th week after my exposure

[hrsepwrguy]

You do not need further HCV testing, testing for HCV is conclusive for HCV antibodies at 24 weeks

[ChloeMadison12]

Would you recommend further hcv testing?

[Teak]

Your test was conclusive. HCV will not affect your HIV test results. You do not need further testing.