Help me with this I am so scared.

[robertlopez]

I just got back my result from donating blood and I got an Hepatitis C Virus antibody (anti HCV) reactive back but I have Negative for RIBA and HCV-RNA (NAT). What does this mean and what should I do should I get tested again? Do I have Hepatitis C? Can I get it in the future?

[Bill1954]

Harm reduction programs can help you access stuff like needle exchange, methadone/Suboxone, counseling, etc. Try calling your local hospital, county health department, or even the local newspaper to help you get in touch with these resources.

I totally agree with you; legalizing needles doesn’t build junkies.

It sounds like you’re fairly serious about getting clean; it’ll require action on your part to make it happen though. If you put the amount of energy into cleaning up that you did on getting high, it will work.

All the best to you, Robert—

Bill

[Trinity4]

Nobody condemns you here robert and we do understand.  Many of us in one way or another have fought demons such as alcohol, illegal drugs or even prescription drugs in hopes the madness will stop so that we can live productive lives without being in a chemically induced haze.  The first step to beating any addiction is you have to want to get clean and sober and there are so many programs out there that can offer help.  There are rehabs that will help you get off the drugs and offer a Methadone program.  Some are funded privately but many are funded by the county or state so it would be little or no cost to you.  You just have to do some research and take the first step.

MedHelp has a substance abuse forum which may be of some help to you.
I truly do wish you the best.

Trinity

    

[robertlopez]

I wont be donating any blood any more and I am trying to quit the drugs but i cant. Sorry if I offended anyone. I will take this as a blessing but even if I did contract the virus I wouldn't be so done I mean shooting drugs was the worst mistake in my life and there are major consequences to it so I have to accept it. Life and time are viewed at a specific moment if your alive right now than forget about the virus and enjoy it. I just wish the government wasnt  so stupid and have syringes as illegal (unless with subscription) and I wish methadone was free but its not that way and kids my age 24 have to pay for it. I am not a bad person I just have a bad addiction that I wish I can get out. People need to understand people like me. Good bye a good luck.

[orleans]

The old saying about "counting ones blessings" applies to you.  You got a good one to count. good luck, jerry

[MelissaK100]

Hello,
I recently had a needle stick injury from work.  I am a nurse, the protocol is to receive the necessary lab work to rule out blood bourne viruses etc.
I am scared to ask my doctor and/or fellow staff members what my results indicate.
They are as follows:
HBSAB          Reactive

and as for the HCAB
Hep C Virus Screen   NON REACTIVE
HCV Ratio:  0.12     to the right of it, is the normal range which is 0.00-0.99
I know I am withing the normal range, but shouldn't it be at 0.0?  I don't want to get hep c, do my results mean the virus is present? Someone please help me I wont be able to eat or sleep until I get answers.
Thankyou :0)

[MelissaK100]

Hello,
I recently had a needle stick injury from work.  I am a nurse, the protocol is to receive the necessary lab work to rule out blood bourne viruses etc.
I am scared to ask my doctor and/or fellow staff members what my results indicate.
They are as follows:
HBSAB          Reactive

and as for the HCAB
Hep C Virus Screen   NON REACTIVE
HCV Ratio:  0.12     to the right of it, is the normal range which is 0.00-0.99
I know I am withing the normal range, but shouldn't it be at 0.0?  I don't want to get hep c, do my results mean the virus is present? Someone please help me I wont be able to eat or sleep until I get answers.
Thankyou :0)

[jdwithhcv]

If you are using IV drugs, please do not donate blood.

[robertlopez]

Thanks alot everybody and I this scare will definitely help me to stop using IV drugs and sharing needles. I live in Orlando and its illegal to have needles without prescription so I want everybody to know that this is a very wrong policy and also that no drug or high is worth contracting Hepatitis C. I hope everybody understands the seriousness of these problems. Good night.

[Bill1954]

If your HCV RIBA result was negative, it implies you were never exposed to the virus; the HCV NAT tests confirm this as well.

You will not develop infection; unless of course, you are actually exposed in the future. There is no need for additional action on your part, nor is there need for additional testing, IMHO.

Bill

[jdwithhcv]

Relax.  If its really bothering you, have another test (HCV RNA PCR) in 3 months or so,  I'd look up exactly how long, but I'm THAT confident that you're ok.

This is good news.  Be happy, and don't obsess.  Que sera, sera!

jd

[Trinity4]

Don't worry about it because even if your were exposed in the last month the HCV PCR RNA test would have picked up a viral load.  It did not, you do not have the virus.

Cheers!
Trinity

[robertlopez]

The thing is I read somewhere that If I was exposed within the last months I might still get it later on. Is this true or should I just not worry about it.

[jdwithhcv]

You test positive for HCV antibodies because at some point you were exposed to the virus.  You will probably test positive for antibodies always.

You test negative for HCV RNA.  THis means that no virus was detected in your blood.  This is very good news.  It means that you do not have HCV.  About 20% of people who are exposed to HCV are able to fight off the virus.  You probably did not even notice that you were exposed, your immune system did the work.  The majority of people (about 80%) exposed to HCV develop a chronic infection.

You are one of that lucky 20%.  Congratulations.  You can relax.  You do not have the virus.  You will probably never be able to donate blood because of the antibodies (they are trying to be very careful) but you are fine.  Here's to your good health.

jd