Acute Hepatitis C Detection

[cdnab]

My original quesiton was posted here:
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Hepatitis-C/Positive-RIBA--Indeterminate-Antibody--Negative-PCR-RNA/show/1473632

I have some comments that i may be in the acute phase but i don't understand how that makes sense. I have read that in the acute phase, antibodies are produced but can only be detected (using anti-HCV or RIBA testing) 6 weeks to 3 months after day 1 of infection and that the virus itself can be detected 2 to 3 weeks after day 1 of infection (using PCR RNA testing).

I was tested positive RIBA in mid December 2010 so if this is correct, i was probably positive for at least 6 weeks. Then i was tested in mid February 2011 with indeterminate anti-HCV and negative PCR RNA results.

So the big question is what is the chance that my viral load is so low after (assuming) being positive for 6 weeks + 2 months = 3.5 months that a PCR RNA test would not detect the virus in the qualitative test?

Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[cdnab]

The MD says not to worry and that i don't have HCV however from some of her responses or lack of them you can tell she hasn't done her homework. I know some people trust the MD because that's the way it's always been. But she could have taken an hour or less on the internet to understand some of the questions i have asked of her so i believe the answers i receive on discussion boards like these are the best i can find besides maybe a virulogst. The virulogist will only speak with the MD so the lack of answers continues.

[Resilient_Mimi]

I have heard some very lucky and unique people have the ability to fight the virus on their own without any meds.  Most people unfortunately arent able to do this without medicine.  That is just one thought.  What did you MD say about the results?

[Bill1954]

Of course there is always the possibility of intermittent viremia present as the virus ‘sets up shop’. The process of seroconversion, or development of antibodies and subsequent RNA virus isn’t always a linear process; this is one of the reasons that detection of acute infection is difficult.

My own non-professional guess is that when the dust settles, you’ll find you haven’t developed chronic infection.  The info from the AASLD practice guidelines that HectorSF posted supports that.

http://www.hivandhepatitis.com/hep_c/images/hepatitisc.pdf

Good luck-

--Bill

[HectorSF]

"what is the chance that my viral load is so low ...  that a PCR RNA test would not detect the virus"

Bill1954 already answered this question on the old post.
No matter how many times you test or repeat the same questions you will get the same results.

Bill said LOW. AASLD uses the word RARE.

AASLD Practice Guidlines:

"A negative sensitive RNA test in a person with HCV antibodies most likely indicates that the HCV infection has resolved. Other interpretations are that the anti-HCV immunoassay is falsely positive, the HCV RNA test is falsely negative, or rarely, that a person has intermittent or low-level viremia."

Most importantly, What does your doctor who ordered these tests say? It is their job give you a diagnosis, otherwise why run the tests?

Hectorsf