Hepatitis Forums
Hepatitis C Main Forums => On Hepatitis C Treatment => Topic started by: Inspectorgadget on June 27, 2018, 04:09:48 pm
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Diagnosed last November during a routine test panel for something unrelated. High viral load...type 1b. Male, mid 50's, no idea how I got it or how long I've had it.
Minimal scaring, no scirosis. Was put on 8 weeks of mavirett I just finished today. Results undedected at 4 weeks. I will be checked again in 3 months.
Here is my concern. I was with someone for 7 years. She tested negative. There was a couple year stretch after the separation with absolutely no intimate contact with anyone. I did get a tattoo during this time.
Flash forward to now. Met a girl. Was open about this from day one. She tested negative just prior to my treatment. Here's where it gets scary. She tested again a month ago. Test results came back positive for antibodies ( very low number). Another test confirmed no hep c.
It appears she got something from me. Not sure what to think now. It appears neither of us have hep c but both are carrying antibodies ( which I believe we always will)
Both of us are in a devoted relationship with the ultimate goal of having a conventional relationship that exclusive couples have with no need for protection. My fear is that we will somehow keep reinfecting each other. Research says no but the same research says I shouldn't have passed anything to her in the first place but obviously I did.
We both want to keep testing but believe it or not... Doctors have actually advised against it saying it's a waste of money.
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Not sure how she would have ever tested positive fromcintact with you. We have had Many long-term couples here where one is positive for hepatitis C virus and the other is not, not even for anti-bodies.
Anti-bodies are not the hepatitis C virus they are created by your own body when it attempts to fight off infection. If you no longer are infected with the hepatitis C virus you have nothing to transmit. Hepatitis C antibodies cannot transmit infection. Anti-bodies are made by your own immune system they are part of you.
When you receive your 12 week post treatment test result for your HCV RNA by PCR which is testing for the virus itself and it is not detected this means you are now cured of the virus. You will always test positive for anti-bodies to the Hepatitis c virus just as if you either had the measles or were once immunized against the measles you always test positive for measles anti-bodies.
It is possible your girlfriend may have had a false positive for some other reason. Including a lab error.
https://www.hepmag.com/article/false-test-result-25760-476718382
If you are found to be not detected at 12 weeks post treatment there is no reason for additional testing for either one of you. Your doctor is correct.
Best of luck to you both congrats on finishing treatment!
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Thank you. I also suspect a false positive but it does make you think. I guess the real question is how careful should we be the next 3 months.
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Sexual transmission of the virus is not common in the setting of long term monogamous couples. The CDC does not suggest use of barrier protection for such couples.
While there is a small risk of sexual transmission, the risk is greatest for those with multiple sexual partners, in the presence of HIV, or for those who engage in rough sexual practices.
As I mentioned, there of been many people here who have been in long-term monogamous relationships where one has the virus and the other does not. Especially as you currently test not detected for the virus on the HCV RNA test you are very likely cured at this point. Certainly the virus is at exceedingly low levels if it is present at all.
In my non medical layperson opinion for all the reasons I just listed I don’t think you need to take any special measures but it would be best for you to discuss this question with your doctor.
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Thank you. Fwiw.. no multiple partners here, no HIV, drug use... Just a couple going thru something. Reading the actual initial report is says " hep c antibodys "reactive" with a signal to cut off of 2.97.
The report that came the next day ( presumably an actual hep c test) came back " not detected) just like her first test did a couple months ago.
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Ok well if it was the HCV RNA test and it was not detected then she does not have hep c. If you feel the need to use barrier protection until you are 12 weeks post that is an option. But since you are not detected and the general risk is so low I wouldn’t worry too much about transmission. Still really weird about the antibodies
Best of luck
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My ex-wife developed antibodies.
We were both young - and I don't remember how careful we were.
(No condoms) ...
Transmission is not unheard of - but, as Lynn says - it's sounds like you're both clear - and safe.
Best wishes,
A.