hcv via razor

[Ajju29]

hello dr.
many websites says that if you test positive with hcv rna pcr but if you test negative it doesn't mean you don't have hcv, the virus may still be present but unable to detect by pcr
Why and when does this happens?

[Ajju29]

thanks to all

[dontworry_behappy1]

If you want to pay the expense of a viral load test at 3 weeks then I'm sure you can do so.   The test is expense compared to the Hepatitis C antibodies
test.  You can test for viral load at 3 weeks or test for Hep C antibodies test at a later date as referenced above.

Best to you

[Ajju29]

but cdc has never mentioned that for more reliable test you should wait more
its just written 2-3 weeks

[hrsepwrguy]

How soon after exposure to HCV can anti-HCV be detected?

HCV infection can be detected by anti-HCV screening tests (enzyme immunoassay) 4–10 weeks after infection. Anti-HCV can be detected in >97% of persons by 6 months after exposure.
How soon after exposure to HCV can HCV RNA be detected by PCR?

HCV RNA appears in blood and can be detected as early as 2–3 weeks after infection

http://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/HCV/HCVfaq.htm#c5

NUCLEIC ACID DETECTION

The diagnosis of HCV infection can also be made through detection of HCV RNA using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) techniques (Figure 1). HCV RNA can be detected within one to two weeks after exposure to the virus, weeks before the onset of ALT elevations or the appearance of anti-HCV. In some patients, the detection of HCV RNA may be the only evidence of HCV infection.

http://www.aafp.org/afp/1999/0101/p79.html

[dontworry_behappy1]

It can be detected at 1-2 weeks.   But waiting longer will increase your chances of accurate test.   More like 6 weeks.  

[Ajju29]

i want to know that if i take a hcv rna pcr test at 3 weeks, can this be possible that pcr will not be able to detect virus?
kindly help me

[dontworry_behappy1]

Welcome.   Why and when does this happen?  You could be in the acute stage of Hepatitis C.  During this time your body fights off the virus and you could have a slight viral load.  You don't have hepatitis C till you have a confirmed viral load which would be chronic hepatitis C.  If you were cut by a razor used by someone with Hepatitis C you could have acute hepatitis C.  Over a period of about 6 months you could be acute.   Some people clear the virus during this time and don't have Hepatitis C but still test positive for Hepatitis C.  These same people who test positive for the Hep C  virus for the rest of their lives.  Even tho they do not have active (chronic) Hepatitis C.

I hope this is helpful

[flyinlynn]

We here are not doctors we are either hep c patients of their caregivers.