Hepatitis Forums
Hepatitis C Prevention, Transmission and Testing => Am I Infected? => Topic started by: MommaT on April 10, 2019, 03:15:19 pm
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I cleared Hep C 2016
Now Lab Hep c Virus Ab Reference 0.0-.9
negative <0.8
Positive <0.9
I am >11.
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If you were previously infected with hep c you will always for the rest of your life test positive for hep c antibodies. Antibodies are not a virus they are made by your body when it comes into contact with an invading virus. For example if you were vaccinated against the measles or if we’re ever infected with measles you now have measles antibodies for life.
The only way to know if you have a new hepatitis C infection is to have HCV RNA by PCR test performed to see if you are positive for the hepatitis C virus itself and have a viral load.
There is no reason for any of us who previously were infected with hepatitis C to have the hepatitis C antibody test. The results are known we will always test positive for hepatitis c antibodies.
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Also saw Changes in Hepatitis Panel
Hep A was positive -Now says --Negative
Hep B I got Immunized Shots --says Negative?
I am really scared !
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Ok I do know you DO NOT have hep c based only on an antibody test. We know that we will always test positive for hep c antibodies for the rest of our lives because we were previously infected with hep C. Do not have a hepatitis c antibody test the result is meaningless it will always be positive. If you want to know if you have somehow become reinfected with hep c you will have to have the viral load the HCV RNA by PCR test. Unless you have had a blood to blood contact you are at little to no risk of becoming reinfected with a totally new hep c infection.
As far as hep A have you previously had hepatitis A or been immunized against hep A? Was this an antibody test or the test for the virus. Hep A is transmitted by oral fecal like unclean water or contaminated food.
Hep B testing is a little more complicated and you should discuss this with your doctor. Hep B is blood borne and can be sexually transmitted have you had a blood to blood contact or had sexual relations involving someone with hep b? From my understanding there are several tests to diagnose hep b infection.
http://www.hepb.org/prevention-and-diagnosis/diagnosis/understanding-your-test-results/
Why are you having these tests done? Did you experience a risk and your doctor ordered these tests? Do you have acute hepatitis symptoms like jaundice? Do you have elevated liver enzymes?
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Can you write out the full hep panel results so I can help sort out their meaning. You definitely don't have hep C based on what you provided, but let's be sure bout the entire hep panel. What does your doc say?