Scared nurse

[Peachynurse]

I am a healthcare provider who had a needlestick in march of this year. Pt was HCV +. I had a hcv antibody come back reactive yesterday and my world has been upside down since. It was 15 weeks since the needlestick.  My s/c ratio is 1.29. I am going back to employer today to have PCR drawn. any advice?? Encouragement?? Feeling very overwhelmed and consumed by this.

[Peachynurse]

So just to back track, anibody positive, qualitative PCR negative and currently nothing scheduled until sept 5 when I will have another PCR maybe.

Nurse practitioner friend just said that GI doctor she works for would recommend a ultra quantitative pcr.  

That is where i stand now.

[Peachynurse]

Thanks. I am not sure why the md wanted an ultra quantitative. Thus would be a workers comp situation and I guarantee you my hospital won't pat for another teat since Thr qualitative PCR was negative. The md wants to treat as soon as possible since I am at 17 weeks so I guess that's why he wants the ultraquant PCR??? I agree with him just trying to figure out what to do and if I can pay out of pocket because i bet my health insurance wont pay for it with it being a workers comp situation. My go to my priimary care md tomorrow and see what he says.

[Jakied]

      The number for request a test is 1-888-732-2348.  ask for the Riba confirmatory

test.

[Jakied]

    your signal of 1.29 is considered a 'weak pos.'  With a reading that low,  there is a good

  chance it is a 'false pos.'  Ask your doctor for a 'RIBA' confirmatory test.  Riba is very

   SPECIFIC for Hcv antibody.  the screening tests are very SENSITIVE for antibodies

   and may cross react with antibodies other than Hcv to give a 'false pos reading.'

   If the Riba is neg, that means you never had Hcv antibody and the screening test

    was a false pos.  the pcr looks for the actual virus.  With that being neg, you do

not have the virus.  Hopefully, your riba will be neg and that would mean no prior

   exposure.  Patients who clear the virus retain the antibodies for a LONG time,

  usually the rest of their life.

   Anyway, if you need a place to go for the Riba test, call 'request a test.'

[Peachynurse]

Heard I may need a PCR ultraquant. Measures lower level than PCR would. Any info??

[willbb]

Negative PCR"s are always a good read  :)  Enjoy !

Will