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Does the Hepatitis C RNA test come back REACTIVE?
Hi there,
I went in for a new patient appointment at an OBGYN in June 2016. I told the doctor how in August 2015 my boyfriend had been called by the health department for an STD. We had only been together about a month at that point. Anyhow due to my disclosure that he had an STD she wanted to recheck me for everything. I was negative for everything in November 2015, but when she rechecked me I found out I'm positive for Hepatotis C antibodies.
I work in a hospital as a social worker. I provide NO patient care. The only physical contact I have with patients is by sharing pens, clip boards, touching their doors etc. I do see patients with Hep C frequently but again never exposed to their blood. I have no history of any IV Drug use, no tattoos, no needle sticks, never received blood etc. Basically my only risk factor is sex. In the last 4 years I've had sex with two people. I have only had sex while on my period with my current boyfriend. By the way he tested negative for Hepatitis C antibody (got his results 10-15-16).
So I'm a nervous wreck! First since I work at the hospital I feel like my privacy in this situation is limited. I have to use our lab for insurance purposes. I come to the lab either very early or late hoping I won't see anyone I know. The other thing is my GI doctor (who I literally had to BEG to see me) told me, "anyone who says they've never used needles but has hep c is a liar."
Finally to get to my question. I've had two positive HepC antibody tests. On 10-10-16 they took my blood for Hep C RNA to be sent to Mayo Clinic. Doctor told me it could be back as early as 10-15. So I called his office 10-15 and spoke with the nurse about my labs. It was near the end of the day and all she said was "it says you're REACTIVE which means positive." I was in such a panic I didn't confirm she was talking about the RNA test. This weekend I did research and it looks like the RNA lab comes back "detected or undetected" as well as giving you a number. My question is do labs ever use the word REACTIVE in reporting results for the RNA test?
I've left a message with the doctor's office but no callback yet. Please let me know your thoughts because I'm really imagining the worst! I feel like I've been told I have lung cancer and I've never smoked. I appreciate any help. Thanks very much!
I went in for a new patient appointment at an OBGYN in June 2016. I told the doctor how in August 2015 my boyfriend had been called by the health department for an STD. We had only been together about a month at that point. Anyhow due to my disclosure that he had an STD she wanted to recheck me for everything. I was negative for everything in November 2015, but when she rechecked me I found out I'm positive for Hepatotis C antibodies.
I work in a hospital as a social worker. I provide NO patient care. The only physical contact I have with patients is by sharing pens, clip boards, touching their doors etc. I do see patients with Hep C frequently but again never exposed to their blood. I have no history of any IV Drug use, no tattoos, no needle sticks, never received blood etc. Basically my only risk factor is sex. In the last 4 years I've had sex with two people. I have only had sex while on my period with my current boyfriend. By the way he tested negative for Hepatitis C antibody (got his results 10-15-16).
So I'm a nervous wreck! First since I work at the hospital I feel like my privacy in this situation is limited. I have to use our lab for insurance purposes. I come to the lab either very early or late hoping I won't see anyone I know. The other thing is my GI doctor (who I literally had to BEG to see me) told me, "anyone who says they've never used needles but has hep c is a liar."
Finally to get to my question. I've had two positive HepC antibody tests. On 10-10-16 they took my blood for Hep C RNA to be sent to Mayo Clinic. Doctor told me it could be back as early as 10-15. So I called his office 10-15 and spoke with the nurse about my labs. It was near the end of the day and all she said was "it says you're REACTIVE which means positive." I was in such a panic I didn't confirm she was talking about the RNA test. This weekend I did research and it looks like the RNA lab comes back "detected or undetected" as well as giving you a number. My question is do labs ever use the word REACTIVE in reporting results for the RNA test?
I've left a message with the doctor's office but no callback yet. Please let me know your thoughts because I'm really imagining the worst! I feel like I've been told I have lung cancer and I've never smoked. I appreciate any help. Thanks very much!
So glad to hear the good news that you are undetected. My advice to you is to get rid of that GI. His comment about anyone who has Hep C is lying if they say they never used needles, is not only unprofessional, it is ludicrous. He obviously does not know the risk factors.
OK I missed that about the doctor. No offense doc but you are an uninformed idiot.
Thanks! Actually the nurse just called and said she read me the wrong lab last week. The RNA test came back today undetected. So great news! They told me 5% of ppl's blood reacts with the serum for Hep C antibody testing and it causes a false positive.
1 Comments
About25% of people who were at some time exposed to hep c are able to beat the virus on their own. They will always test positive for antibodies but not for the virus itself. So as long as the HCV RNA by PCR test is negative you are good to go.
I have never seen a RNA test that said reactive, only antibody tests, RNA test usually say detected or not detected as you said.
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