Can I still pass Hep C?

[afm222]

Hi all.  New here but I'm trying to get some answers.  I tested positive for Hep C antibodies over 9 years ago.  Viral load was done and came back undetected.  I've had a few other tests over the years and they all came back as undetected.  Most recently was about 1 1/2 years ago.  I'm not sure if it was the newer more sensitive test or not.  Does this mean I've cleared the virus on my own?  Does anyone know of anyone that this has happened to?  Is it still possible to pass Hep C?  The reason I'm so concerned now is that I have a 12 month baby who tested positive for the antibodies.  Her Dr. has talked to a specialist who has assured me not to worry--that maternal antibodies are often in the blood of an infant for 18 months.  Still I am freaking out.  Especially since I was told by a Dr. before (after 7 years of testing 'undetected') that I cleared the virus on my own.  True or not?

[Bill1954]

Hi there,

From your description, you have nothing to worry about. The viral load tells all; and test sensitivity shouldn’t be an issue; one would expect a viral load to be in the 100’s of thousands, if not millions without antiviral therapy at play.

You’ll probably continue to test positive for antibodies for life; these are produced by our body in response to an antigen like Hep C; they aren’t either harmful or contagious to anyone, including yourself.

You’re no more likely to pass these antibodies on to someone else than you are that case of measles you had as a child; or that bad flu you hade nine years ago. You have antibodies for all those, but you don’t have those viruses any longer either.

If you need reassurance, discuss this with your primary care doc; perhaps he’ll order another HCV RNA by PCR test to ease your mind; from your description, it should be unnecessary, though.

Bill

[afm222]

Thank you, Bill, for your response.  After the Dr. tested me 7 years after first testing positive and it was still undetected, I assumed I was one of the lucky ones and cleared on my own.  Actually I didn't just assume that, the Dr. told me that I cleared it and do not have the virus anymore.  So I didn't even worry during the pregnancy....how can the baby get it if I don't even have it anymore?  Until today when the baby's test came back positive.  Suddenly that "undetectable range" seems very important.  I know I have reasons to be very hopeful that the baby will not end up with HCV infection and the + test is simply maternal antibodies, but still..it's scary to think you may have hurt your child in any way.  
What should I make of the many posts on here that say one is truly never "cured" and that virus may lay dormant in low levels that are undetectable?  If it's undetectable in your blood is it still possible to transmit the virus?

[Bill1954]

Hi,

I understand your worries, but I think they’re just that; worries. I’m personally unaware of any documented cases of transmission via an ‘occult infected’ mother to a child; it’s relatively rare to begin with.

Most of the papers that investigate this occult/persistent HCV find residual low level viremia in compartments other than serum; such as peripheral blood mononuclear cells, hepatic parenchymal tissue, etc. I’m not sure that it’s ever been demonstrated to be infectious, or even that it’s capable of replication. Perhaps someone better versed in this will offer some thoughts?

If you continue to have concerns, you should discuss them with your doctor; they can test the baby at again at eighteen months for antibodies, or possible even sooner for the presence of active, RNA virus.

I think you’ll discover that the baby is carrying maternal antibodies; and that these will self resolve over time. Take care, and have fun with your new child,


Bill

[afm222]

Thanks again, Bill.  You seem to know what you are talking about!  It makes sense that any "residual" virus would be unlikely infective if not in serum, especially vertically. My Dr. said she would test the baby at 18 months for both antibodies and RNA HCV--I have already considered asking to do the RNA test now just so that I can know one way or the other.  I discussed it with my husband who thinks it's not necessary.  Men are always a little more level-headed when it comes to things like this, I think!  lol  

Thanks so much for setting my mind at ease.  I definitely have reason to be hopeful.  

[Cello76]

I was diagnosed in my teen years after trying to give blood and all those year didn't know anything about this and I got it from a blood transfusion when I was a baby and so my GP sent me to a specialist and all my tests showed that I had no virus, just antibodies and at the time I would have gotten it (in 76) they didn't even know about it, so no treatment would have been given, so I'm assuiming my body fought it off and well to this day no virus.