Aa
constantly living in fear
I was diagnosed with undetectable Hep C 5 years ago. I am a recovering alcoholic. I've been sober 6 years. I found out I had undetectable Hep C after I got sober. I am POSITIVE I got this disease through unprotected sex with a person who had it. This "man" took advantage of me when I was drinking. His penis was bloody for some reason and I was at the end of my menstual cycle. He told me he had Hep C AFTER he took advantage of me. Should I tell a sex partner I have Hep C if it's undetectable? Am I putting someone at risk to catch Hep C? I don't want anyone to know I have this. Can this be spead through sex if no blood is involved? PLEASE, help I really need some answers.
No offense intended, but I see a few possibilities;
You may not have understood what the dr or nurse told you or they were rather imprecise in what they conveyed to you.
As it stands.... you don't seem to know your status and as a consequence, none us us quite know either.
What medical tests were done and what were the results?
You may have been given an antibody test, and you may have antibodies, but that does NOT mean you are infected or can transmit.
When the term "undetectable" is used it usually means that a PCR is done which checks for the actual presence of HCV RNA in the blood. IF that was done.... I repeat IF and IF the result was undetectable.... then it appears to me that the doctor has done you a disservice in letting you twist in the wind thinking that you are still infected or that you could transmit the virus to others.
I'd suggest instead of endlessly suffering about what *could be* go back to the doctor, get copies of your records and get a clear or more clear understanding of what work they did and what the results MEAN. You paid for the service, go get what you deserve; the results of your medical visit.
If you still have questions you can come back and post with more solid info than we currently have. Until then I would assume that you are not infected if a doctor told you that you had undetected HCV. (I'd also find out the sensitivity of the test...the PCR that they used, since this sounds more like a GP than a gasto or hepatologist)
best,
Willy
You may not have understood what the dr or nurse told you or they were rather imprecise in what they conveyed to you.
As it stands.... you don't seem to know your status and as a consequence, none us us quite know either.
What medical tests were done and what were the results?
You may have been given an antibody test, and you may have antibodies, but that does NOT mean you are infected or can transmit.
When the term "undetectable" is used it usually means that a PCR is done which checks for the actual presence of HCV RNA in the blood. IF that was done.... I repeat IF and IF the result was undetectable.... then it appears to me that the doctor has done you a disservice in letting you twist in the wind thinking that you are still infected or that you could transmit the virus to others.
I'd suggest instead of endlessly suffering about what *could be* go back to the doctor, get copies of your records and get a clear or more clear understanding of what work they did and what the results MEAN. You paid for the service, go get what you deserve; the results of your medical visit.
If you still have questions you can come back and post with more solid info than we currently have. Until then I would assume that you are not infected if a doctor told you that you had undetected HCV. (I'd also find out the sensitivity of the test...the PCR that they used, since this sounds more like a GP than a gasto or hepatologist)
best,
Willy
I believe undetectable means that I have Hep C but the amount I have is too small to have to go through treatments for it. The way I found out is because I was starting a new relationship with someone and I suggested we both be tested for HIV ( I don't have that Thank God!) We are both negative. I'm still with the same man. They also tested me for Hep C and thats how I found out. I don't know alot about Hep C. That is the reason I'm here. I am living with this and I need other people who have it also to talk to and share my feelings with. I feel so alone. I realize it's hard to get this through sex but I am sure that is how I got it because of the blood involved. The piece of **** who infected me MUST have known he put me at risk because there wouldn't have been any reason for him to tell me that he had Hep C. I am not an I.V. drug user and haven't had a blood transfusion. Thanks for all you're questions and supportive words it means alot to be able to talk about it openly.
Like others have asked ..what do you mean Undetectable HCV? You would be best to find out exactly what your status is....by getting a HCV/RNA by PCR blood test to find out if you have active infection.
Ccongrats by the way on the 6 years sober ...
Will
If it's undetectable, who told you you had it? Maybe that doctor's brain is undetectable. The doctor should never tell anyone they're undetectable until they have specific bloodwork. Go back to that doctor and demand your money back.
I would get specific paper work or blood specific results as to the Hepatitis C virus antibodies. That doctor should be stripped of his license and put in the Doctor's Hall Of Shame.. (At least in my opinion)...
Magnum
I would get specific paper work or blood specific results as to the Hepatitis C virus antibodies. That doctor should be stripped of his license and put in the Doctor's Hall Of Shame.. (At least in my opinion)...
Magnum
Hey....my 2 cents. Take it with a grain of salt. It may seem like I'm being disagreeable but in the end the intent is to make you feel better.
First off..... you may be right, maybe you got it from sex, but the statistics say that few do. I want you to understand that you may not have gotten it this way. I want you to understand that it is also very difficult for you to transmit the same way. If indeed you have been and are still undetectable, then the odds approach impossible.
I want you to understand that many people are exposed to HCV and that they are able to clear this virus on their own, such as it sounds as if you did without any form of treatment. Unless you were tested for HCV and were proven to have no antibodies prior to the event you describe, you really may not have proof that this event caused your infection. A possibility exists that it could be a different event. About 30% of us don't know how we got our HCV. When i was first diagnosed I was also relatively certain that I may have acquired mine through sex. I am far less convinced of that now.
"His penis was bloody for some reason" you ask....
and then you answer; "and I was at the end of my menstual cycle."
This is not decisive proof but it is *possible* that the blood you may have seen was your own. Maybe there is more to the story, but in a sense..... it is mute. You are no longer infected, you can no longer transmit, and it is even possible that you could be incorrect about the cause of your infection. The main point I want to convey is that you cannot transmit what you no longer have.
I'd ask that you continue to stay sober and rejoice that you no longer have to drink and that you can enter into normal sexual relations with no fear......
Scratch that; it's 2011. LOL; Be VERY CAREFUL if you are not in a monogamous relationship. Adhere to safe sex practices.
But really..... transmitting hep C is probably one thing you should not be worrying about.
best,
willy
First off..... you may be right, maybe you got it from sex, but the statistics say that few do. I want you to understand that you may not have gotten it this way. I want you to understand that it is also very difficult for you to transmit the same way. If indeed you have been and are still undetectable, then the odds approach impossible.
I want you to understand that many people are exposed to HCV and that they are able to clear this virus on their own, such as it sounds as if you did without any form of treatment. Unless you were tested for HCV and were proven to have no antibodies prior to the event you describe, you really may not have proof that this event caused your infection. A possibility exists that it could be a different event. About 30% of us don't know how we got our HCV. When i was first diagnosed I was also relatively certain that I may have acquired mine through sex. I am far less convinced of that now.
"His penis was bloody for some reason" you ask....
and then you answer; "and I was at the end of my menstual cycle."
This is not decisive proof but it is *possible* that the blood you may have seen was your own. Maybe there is more to the story, but in a sense..... it is mute. You are no longer infected, you can no longer transmit, and it is even possible that you could be incorrect about the cause of your infection. The main point I want to convey is that you cannot transmit what you no longer have.
I'd ask that you continue to stay sober and rejoice that you no longer have to drink and that you can enter into normal sexual relations with no fear......
Scratch that; it's 2011. LOL; Be VERY CAREFUL if you are not in a monogamous relationship. Adhere to safe sex practices.
But really..... transmitting hep C is probably one thing you should not be worrying about.
best,
willy
Many of us have been married to the same person for years and they do not have hep c.It is a blood to blood disease and there is only a 1% chance that you can acquire it through sex.But it does happen.Hep c is not a Std.
What do you mean Undetectable hep c?Either you have it or you dont.Have you had a viral load test to see if you do indeed have hep C???
If you do have a viral load,the best thing you can do is abstain from alcohol. Dont be afraid we are here to answer your questions if you have them-cindy
What do you mean Undetectable hep c?Either you have it or you dont.Have you had a viral load test to see if you do indeed have hep C???
If you do have a viral load,the best thing you can do is abstain from alcohol. Dont be afraid we are here to answer your questions if you have them-cindy
ooh that doesn't sound right I dont think you would be diagnosed with undetectable hep c, unless you just have the antibodies to it.
I would not worry about telling anyone, but I would use protection absolutely.
It is a blood to blood disease,
Please let me know what you mean by undetectable hep c.
You need to use all safety precautions for yourself and others.
dont be scared.....
I would not worry about telling anyone, but I would use protection absolutely.
It is a blood to blood disease,
Please let me know what you mean by undetectable hep c.
You need to use all safety precautions for yourself and others.
dont be scared.....
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