18% of all positive tested can NOT pass hep C to anyone?

[wehobobby]

One of my friends said his doctor told him that 18% of all that test positive for HEP C,  just can't pass it on to anyone, because while it is in his body it is NOT detectable, OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT?

[spectda]

There are a lot of forums on medhelp to keep emily busy I am sure!

[nygirl7]

LOL job security that is for sure!

(Thank you, as you can tell we were protecting out own but trying to be good, sort of good anyway ;).

[Diane12855]

Well.... things have been kind of boring lately....

You had a nice rest.

[FlGuy]

Think of it as our little slice of a job stimulus program.

[Emily_MHManager]

Hi everyone -

Maybe we can get back to the original question, and yes, I have been on my toes today.  You all are trying to keep me busy.  ;)

Emily

[Trinity4]

yep, deja vu big time.

[Trinity4]

No account for character even with a degree in biochemistry huh?

[Trinity4]

Please MH, make this billim57 or whoever it is cease and desist.  Zero contribution by this person.

Trinity

[FlGuy]

I see we're keeping Emily on her toes this morning.

[nygirl7]

No, actually the OP said a "friend said the doctor said" which is not necessarily accurate.  Furthermore, many GPs say HCV postitive after seeing the antibody test is reactive.

If the virus is not detectible then it refers to antibodies, it cannot refer to virus because there is none present.

[Diane12855]

I think the main problem is doctors talking about HCV that don't know a thing about it. I've heard all kinds of crazy things... Dr OZ even said that sexual transmission was the main way of contracting it... imagine that!

[FlGuy]

But, with the phrase "because while it is in his body it is NOT detectable" would imply that the reference is to antibodies.

[billm57]

the dr said hcv positive - that tells me its not an antibody test - ok

[Diane12855]

Yep! I think that covers all possible bases.

Good job!

Diane

[Trinity4]

In the patient with risk factors for hepatitis C or an abnormal ALT, the most practical method of diagnosing HCV infection is by obtaining a second generation enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (EIA) antibody to hepatitis C (anti-HCV). False-positive results may occur at a rate of 10-20% and are usually seen in the presence of autoimmune disease, hypergammaglobulinemia and low-risk blood donors. False negative results may occur in immunosuppressed patients, including people infected with the human immunodeficiency virus. In early infection, anti-HCV testing may be negative, as antibodies may not develop until 4-6 weeks after exposure. Unfortunately, a positive hepatitis C antibody does not distinguish acute from chronic disease or active from past infection nor is it a sign of immunity or protection. Therefore, a positive EIA anti-HCV test is a marker that hepatitis C may be present and it must be followed by confirmatory viral load testing.

Trinity

[Diane12855]

If you are correct and the doctor was talking about people who had done a PCR and had active virus in their blood...... That doctor is a nut!!!!!!!!!!!!! he says 18% can't pass the virus to others. If you have the virus, you can pass it to others.

[nygirl7]

On this forum many times new posters do not use the correct verbiage and often say 'test positive for HCV' but mean 'tested positive for antibodies' but do not know the lingo.  Best to cover all bases in case of confusion when speaking to new members such as yourself to avoid giving them the wrong information.

[billm57]

yes it is the first test - but on its own it proves nothing really - it cant determine active infection it has a very high chance of false positive/ negative - the poster said positive for hep c - this can only be determined by viral load test

[nygirl7]

A person with hcv will always carry the antibodies - they will always test positive for them however as Carol said, about 20% of people diagnosed with hcv will have their own immune system beat the disease without any treatment.  They will test negative for a viral load however will still test positive for the antibodies, that is why they would test 'non-detectible'.

Most likely, that is what they are referring to.

[Diane12855]

I think the poster is talking about those who test positive for the antibodies, since that is usually the first test given to people. I could be wrong.............

[billm57]

if you have a significant positive viral load test - you are infectious

[Diane12855]

Good guess. That was my thinking when I read the post too.

Diane

[carol411]

This is just a guess, there are many people here smarter than I, but about 20% of people exposed to Hep c clear the virus on their own.  Their immune system takes care of it.  Once the virus is cleared a person will always test positive for antibodies, but the virus is gone so they can't pass it on to anyone.  That may be what your friend's doctor was talking about.