catching hep c

[Linda5758]

Forty years ago a bunch of us kids did drugs, we all used the same needles, we all got hepc, except one person who swears she does not have it, is she lying? or is this possible, no antibodies, nothing.

[kittyluvr420]

I'm shot drugs in the 70's but I always had a box of new syringes. The only smart thing I did back then. I got it in 2000 from snorting drugs with a friend that told me she tested positive for hep c, she was yellow, I thought it was from self tanning lotion. I know this is when I contracted it because my hair started falling out, my belly bloated up, my scalp suddenly was covered with psoriasis, broken blood vessels started appearing all over my face & chest, plus I started having a lot of intestinal problems.

[orphanedhawk]

Idyllic makes a good point. Just because you all used drugs and shared needles doesn't necessarily mean that was when you and the others contracted the virus.

[Advocate1955]

Yes, it' possible.  She was lucky.
Advocate1955

[Idyllic]

My background is similar to yours and I know people I used with back in the day who do not present with the HCV Antibody. I don't understand it either. In fact, I too initially questioned whether other people were telling the truth. On the other hand, the more I learn there is an increase in likelihood that I could have contracted the virus in an entirely different manner. Sometimes we can never be 100% certain even though at the time it seems as if we have to be.

[flcyclist]

As you see from the information below, it is possible that if 4 people were simultaneously exposed at the same time, the odds are that one will spontaneously clear the virus.  I guess she was the lucky one.  However, she should show positive for the HCV antibody test even though she cleared the virus.  

"Somewhere between 15% and 30% of people clear the virus spontaneously during the acute phase. This happens when the immune system is able to eliminate all the viral particles in circulation and destroy all the infected cells. Evidence of the infection in the form of antibodies to hepatitis C will remain in the body for several years or possibly forever. Unlike some other viruses these antibodies do not provide protection against further HCV infection."

http://www.hepctrust.org.uk/Hepatitis_C_Info/Stages+of+Hepatitis+C/The+acute+phase

[Dannyboi7]

  Anything can be possible on the "what if" scale of life.If its that important for you know then the only way you to find out is if the person would show you her test results.