question about donating blood

[aours]

When I was 16 I donated blood thru my local red cross blood drive at my school, a few weeks later I recieved a letter in the mail saying I was ineligable to donate blood anymore ever because my blood has an anti-hepatitis c in it. I automatically scheduled an appointment with my PCP and she didn't seem too worried, said it was nothing to be worried about. I recently went to enquire about donating plasma, I am basically wondering if this would prevent me from being able to donate plasma. I have no idea what this anti-hepatitis is. Any information about this would be appreciated.

[runsincircles]

My friend actually found out about her hep c through the plasma center.  I'm pretty sure you can't donate any blood products.  My dr also said it was probably a false positive, but it turned out I have hep c.  

[bbj2856]

this last 2 post are  real old

[lapis]

Your story is similar to my own, except that I was in my mid-40's when this happened to me.  Got the letter from the Red Cross, took it to my PCP, she said it was a false positive, don't be concerned, forget about it.  In my case she was wrong, and I found out that I did indeed have chronic Hep C.  

It would be a good idea to further investigate this result, since you tested positive for antibodies to Hep C.  As CoWriter said, about 20% of people who test positive for antibodies have actually cleared the virus on their own, but others go on to develop chronic Hep C.  

I hope you find that you have no live virus, but either way, it's better to know if you are infected, since it gives you more options about how to address the issue.  Good luck to you.

Lapis

[CoWriter]

It means that you had a positive antibody test for Hepatitis C...which means that at some point you were exposed to Hepatitis C.  To confirm whether you actually have Hepatitis C, you need a second test called a "viral load".  Some people are able to get rid of the Hep C virus on their own but the antibody test remains positive forever.  

If the viral load test is positive then for sure you have Hepatitis C.  Either way, because your Antibody test is positive you cannot donate blood.

Best of luck to you.

Co