Please help me understand

[amiee27]

please help me understand......I am 27 yrs old and just told that I have hep c I have never been a drug user...never careless. I just wanted to know my mother is stage 2 liver cancer from hep c when i was born i had jondose is it possible that I have had hep c my entire life with out knowing it. I am already showing signs of liver damage. Should i get my daughter checked as well is there any way to see how long you have had hep c

[Mary4now]

Absolutely, you can be treated and you can get rid of it.  You might also be able to live with it and die of old age.  BUT if you can I recommend treating, especially with the new drugs available and in the pipe line.
First go to the hepatologist and get that biopsy to see whats going on.  
Please dont worry just take it step by step, you will get there.  let us know.....

[amiee27]

I honestly do not know the answers to the fact about the antibodies no doctor has explained anything to me yet all that has happened is i got a call from my primary care after i had blood work done saying i have hep c and i need to see a liver dr asap do you think that i could by chance not have the hep c i really wish a dr would just explain this to me it has been a blow in my face I am so confused I didnt even go to the dr with any idea of having hep i went to get my closteral checked your messages are very helpful so there is a chance if i do have it I can get treated and not have it anymore

[CaughtOffGuard]

Hello, I'm sorry you are going through such a tough time.  The answer to both of your questions is YES.      Hep c is passed through blood.  So, if your mom had it when she was pregnant with you, it's possible you were born with it.  

  

[Bill1954]

I’m sorry to hear of your mother’s recent news; hopefully she can somehow manage her disease effectively.
As far as your recent diagnosis, are you certain you have the active virus, or have you tested positive for HCV antibodies only? If you have only tested reactive to HCV antibodies, the ‘HCV RNA by PCR’ test is required to confirm a diagnosis.
What sort of signs or symptoms of liver damage are present? Are these signs something a medical doctor has noticed, or is this via self-diagnosis?
Good luck—
Bill

[Mary4now]

What really matters is IF you have hep c.  Please get a blood test to check this out it is the first step, then you can determine the health of your liver the genotype of hep c and then you can make a plan.
I just completed a drug trial and I am undetectable... I took the medications for 6 months and I am feeling well.  I think I have had hep c for 40 yrs, BUT there really is no way to tell and that is not as important as the health of your liver.  The liver is a resilient organ and regenerates itself, so many people live with this disease all their life w/o problems, BUT others do not it is best to find out where your are and then make your plans.
Good Luck