HIV test window affected by HCV co-infection

[ravibaj]

Hi,

I have asked a question related to HIV test window on HIV forum and I am reaching out to this forum on HCV related part. I did have a HIV test at 90 days post unprotected hetrosexual encounter and was marked negative in test. Although HCV antibody test came positive and I was previously Hep C and Hep B negative.

Can Hep C co-infection affect the accuracy or window of HIV test at 90 days?

[flyinlynn]

Being infected with HIV can impact testing for Hep C

The reason is for those infected with HIV it will take their body longer to develop enough Hep C antibodies to achieve a positive hep C antibody test result. This is because HIV reduces the bodies immune response.

The same ID not true of the reverse situation. Being infected with hepatitis c has no effect on HIV testing. The reason is that Hepatitis C does not effect the bodies immune response.

As you tested positive for hepatitis C antibodies have you had the HCV RNA by PCR to learn if you are currently actively infected with the hepatitis C virus? The hep C antibody test only looks for hepatitis c antibodies in your blood not the actual virus. Testing positive for hep c antibodies does not prove current infection. Only the HCV RNA by PCR can determine if you are currently infected. If you are infected treatment can be as simple as one pill a day for as few as 8 weeks and you can get rid of the virus.

Best of luck

[flyinlynn]

It does appear that in the HIV forum they had already answered your question about the effect of hep c positive antibody test on the HIV testing window.

There is no effect of having either an active hepatitis C infection or testing positive for hep c antibodies on the HIV testing window.