Please Help with testing information

[Worried-man]

Please could somebody tell me if a Quantitive rna test would pick up any hep c infection. A year ago I was bitten on the lip by a person who I recently found out was hep c positive I had no idea at the time we kept kissing after the bite also she had a toungue piercing that could explain blood to blood contact. I have a lot of symptoms including nightsweats arthraglia muscle aches blurred vision dry skin other skin problems and others I also on going to don't aye blood found out I had a high iron count.i know it's been a year I've had 2 antibody negative tests tho on research I think I know why they were neg. for years thru previous infections throat and a non std downstairs infection my lymph nodes all became swollen and hard and stayed this way. I read that there what produces antibodies  seems silly bit i never went back to docs because i never cared about myself. I have too many physical symptoms for the tests to be correct it doesn't add up. I'm worried sick about my daughter she has had pale stool a few times I think she has come into contact with my blood somehow. I cry every day thinking I have hurt her. I'm suicidal over this situation. I couldn't live with hurting my baby. Please tell me if this text would Definetly show if I was infected inside I feel I know I have it even after antibody tests I've cut off all contact with everybody I sit alone in the dark crying and worrying for my daughter. Please tell me what test to get if this test would be the correct one to find any level of virus. Sorry for long msg thank you.

[lporterrn]

Hi,
The symptoms you are describing are consistent with having high iron, so that really needs to be addressed. High iron is a potentially serious problem, and there are some types that are hereditary, so if you have that type, your daughter, siblings, and parents (if they are alive) need testing.

The RNA test is pretty darn conclusive.

Pale stools happen - nothing you said gives me any concern about hep C, but does concern me about the iron. Do not minimize the potential gravity of having high iron.

[Mike]

Hi Worried-man,

"Quantitative HCV RNA: The quantitative HCV RNA test is not FDA-approved for HCV diagnostic purposes. More recently, however, with the introduction of ultrasensitive HCV quantitative RNA assays (that detect as few as 5 copies/ml), the quantitative HCV RNA has achieved a similar level of diagnostic sensitivity as the qualitative assay.  In addition, the quantitative HCV RNA assay generates an actual HCV RNA level that may provide useful information as a baseline HCV RNA. Because the sensitivity of the quantitative HCV RNA assays has dramatically improved, many clinicians have utilized the quantitative HCV RNA for diagnostic purposes."

Best wishes, Mike

[Worried-man]

Sorry to bother you mike. I really appreciate your reply thanks. Could I ask you this question. I recently had I thought it was a qualatitive rna test it was done private when I checked the lab used there site said it was only quantative test I could see so it must have been that. However when I had the test done I don't think it was handled properly. It was put straight in an evelope this was a saterday. It sat in the post office till Monday when it was picked up then reached lab on Tuesday I'm from scotland it was posted to England. After all thAt time without being in a fridge was this test mishandled. Would there have been anything to find left after this even if I had virus in blood could it have died off ? I asked the lab they said it's fine but I read it's only good for 6 hours out a fridge n 3 days in a fridge. It came back negative but I'm worried it's a false result because the way sample was posted and time elapsed. Sorry to bother you I would appreciate if you could Miby tell me what you thank thanks alot

[Mike]

Hi Worried-man,

"Qualitative HCV RNA: The qualitative HCV RNA tests provide a yes or no answer to whether detectable HCV RNA is present in the sample. The qualitative HCV RNA assays are FDA approved for HCV diagnostic purposes. These tests, however, do not provide a quantitative level of HCV and are not used for baseline HCV RNA levels or for monitoring response to therapy."

I would imagine the test results are accurate and you don't have an HCV infection.

By the way, I have relatives in Mungrisdale and Glasgow.

Best wishes, Mike