Possibility of a mistake in Elisa test result for Hepatit C

[Maggie1362]

Hello, My sister just had a blood test . Unfortunately she is suspected to have Hepatitis C. She is a nurse in a hospital specialized for children with cancer and works in Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.so they usually have a routine tests every six months. 9 months ago she had no signs of Antibody for Hepatitis C but now it is positive.She was sent to have RIBA test but in ElISA test ,which was taken 2 times, the anti bodies were high! showing of virus activities in her body.
As she works in a sensitive area and all the kids always have tests before having any treatment in cell transplantation and none of the patience has this disease, how can she infected by this disease!? She has had no injections, no injuries , no surgery , no sexual activity etc. She has not had any accidents at work because they are always careful about needles and other probable blood contact.Overall , she was not exposed to any probable ways of getting Hepatitis C . ( which is about blood contacts, injections,tattoos and she is married).
we are so worried if the RIBA test result comes positive , how it is going to be ? And we are lost in hundred questions that how can she possibly be infected ?
Good to mention that she was already vaccinated for Hepatitis B . She also has no sign of flu or light sicknesses.
apparently she is healthy and all of liver enzymes and tests were OK. The problem is positive ELISA result !
Please help me with extra information or experience .
Thanks

[Maggie1362]

Thank U very much for your good information, I am waiting for her Riba result which will be ready on Wednesday.

[copyman]

The chances of the antibody test being a false positive is less then 5%, especially if the test result is a high #.

As mentioned above hopefully she is one of the lucky 15-20% and cleared the virus on her own.

[Dee1956]

Hello there! WillB has given you excellent advice. I just wanted to say hang in there. Don't concentrate so much on how she got it.
The blood work may just indicating that she has been exposed and her body fought it off.  You don't know until she gets the test for Geno and viral load which is the test that WillB mentioned
Good luck, please keep in touch, Dee

[willbb]

The antibodies test being a "high positive " would suggest she has possibly contracted HCV by some means and the Riba will only confirm if the Elisa was  possibly a false positive or not.

If it is neg then the antibodies Elisa was a false positive ,however if it is positive then it will  only confirm that she did contract HCV,however not telltale of current infection as approx. 15-25 % of ppl that contract the virus clear it themselves by their own immune system however will always test  POS.Elisa antibody"

If the Riba is pos. she will need an HCV/RNA by PCR blood test to ascertain her status.

Liver enzymes are not a good indicator of Infection as often they can be normal while having HCV.

Good luck to your sister .keep us informed and welcome..

Will