Hepatitis Forums
Hepatitis C Prevention, Transmission and Testing => Am I Infected? => Topic started by: ConfusedFL on August 22, 2017, 07:48:45 pm
-
I'll try to make this as short and sweet as possible. Basically, my story begins around 2008. I was dating a guy, both of us were IV drug users. He turned up completely jaundiced and swollen one day, and off to the hospital we went. I was 18 at the time, quite young and naive in the way of life and addiction. He was diagnosed with Hepatitis C. Shortly after that, we went our separate ways. I got tested, and found I did in fact have antibodies. Went to see a GI, who told me I do not have the virus, but to be cautious with the way I live my life from then on. I took that advice with a grain of salt and pushed the diagnosis out of my already clouded head.
Fast forward to 2012, I was pregnant with my little one. Tested positive for Hepatitis C. After further testing, was told again, by a different doctor, I did not have Hepatitis C. I got clean during pregnancy. My son was tested at 21 months old, antibody and virus free.
In 2014, I decided to start taking care of my health again and got re-tested for everything. Of course, positive for antibodies.
Here's my confusion:
On January 8, 2015, my "HCV RNA" was 168.
On January 30, 2015, it was "undetectable"
The doctor didn't seem concerned; he told me to just get my levels checked in six months or so, don't drink a whole lot, but live my life as normal.
I never got around to getting my blood tested again, as I went through some rough family stuff. So now, here I am in 2017, worrying about this again.
I know this isn't the best information; but based on past answers, should I be worried?
-
ConfusedFL, it sounds like you understand that the hepatitis C (HCV) antibody test, which indicates whether you were exposed to HCV (causing your immune system to make antibodies to HCV), will remain positive. HCV RNA tests, on the other hand, measure any active hepatitis C virus in your blood. Taking the antibody test again won't be useful, but your doctor is likely to order the HCV RNA test again, just to see if you are still undetected. If you stayed clean between the January 30, 2015 "undetectable" and now, the odds are extremely small that some active HCV hid out on 01/20/15 only to start reproducing again, but only the HCV RNA test can confirm that. If this test comes back undetected and you have permanently outgrown being a drug user, you should be fine going forward.
Best of luck to you,
Gnatty
-
As gnatty has said no point in having hep c antibody testing done as you have previously been exposed to hep c and will likely test positive for hep c antibodies for the rest of your life.
In your situation I would also agree you should get that test for the hep c virus rechecked. If you are still not detected you can count yourself amoung the fortunate 25% of people who are able to beat the virus on their own without treatment.
But if I were to make a bet I am betting you will test as not detected and don't have hep c
Good luck!