False positive or spontaneous clearance?

[sunnie]

If anyone can help me understand what is going on with my test results, I would be eternally grateful. I don't have any risk factors for Hep C other than an incident in March with a vascular surgeon. He was performing sclerotherapy on my legs (injecting saline solution into varicose veins). During the procedure, the doctor accidentally pricked his finger through his glove, that started to bleed, and continued using the same needle on me, continuing to inject into my veins. This incident is why I got tested 3.5 months later. Here is my testing history:

-13.5 weeks after incident, tested weakly positive to Hep C (antibody test at 1.04, cutoff was 1.00)
- 13.5 weeks after incident, tested antibody negative to Hep C (different lab)
- 14 weeks after incident, tested PCR negative
- 18 weeks after incident, tested weakly positive to Hep C (antibody test 1.15 score-same lab as first positive score)
- 18 weeks after incident, tested PCR negative.

The gastro specialist I saw said that I do not have chronic hep c, and no virus in my system. He thinks I had an exposure to it from the past and spontaneously cleared the infection. I am so thankful that I do not have the virus, but am confused on when I couldn't been infected in the past, without ANY risk factors. I am also very scared that I may have passed this to my two young boys, or my husband.

The gastro doc does not believe my results are from false positives, although from what I read, many weakly positive antibody scores turn out to be reacting to something else, not HCV antibodies. Any input on this?

The doc didn't even consider my low scores, until I pointed them out. Then still believes it is from a past exposure, not the incident with the doctors finger prick.

Once I thought about it, I remembered that I got both of my sons cord blood banked after birth, and they test for Hep C. I would've been contacted if either were positive, and that was in 2006 and 2008. I also got tested for life insurance in '08 and all came back fine. The only potential exposure since '08 would be either from that doc and the needle prick, or something very low risk like pedicures or dentists offices.

I asked him for the RIBA test, which I will get done tomorrow. He said that was a good idea, and I wondered why he didn't think of it!

My biggest concern is if I did in fact have it and cleared it, I am concerned I may have exposed my children through cuts on my hands while bathing them while they had cuts on their legs, occasionally sharing toothbrushes, nail clippers, etc.

1.Anyone think they could be false positives with the low scores?
2.How fast can someone clear the virus? If I was exposed by the doctor and his finger prick, would I have been cleared and PCR negative by 14 weeks after?
3. When people clear the virus, are their existing antibody scores very low like mine?

Any input on this is so appreciated. I am celebrating the fact that I don't have the virus in me, but am very anxious for my family.

Thank you in advance for any input.

[byebyeC]

Hi  sunnie,

Hep c is only transmitted via blood to blood exposure. If you had no other risk factors, i.e.; iv drug use, types of sex where blood may be transferred by BOTH partners, transfusion, tattoo or some pre-universal precautions govt. inoculations, it's unlikely anything other than the needle stick would expose you.

Having said that, since if you were exposed, it's honestly not that important how it happened...

Many people's immune systems will automatically clear them of hcv. Those who don't will need to seek treatment. As I have.

You are very unlikely to pass hcv to your partner or children. It takes blood to blood exposure to them also. I've been married for 25 years. My husband and children, both born by c-section, are negative for hcv.

If you feel the necessity, follow up with a one year test. But, it appears you've been lucky enough to clear any exposure (if it happened at all). It is not the end of the world in this day and age for a person to come up positive for c though.

God bless you with peace in this.

[SZTahoe]

can some one help me to understand my blood results. I am out of state and cannot see my dr until next week. these are what I think are my viral loads? HCV RNA PCR QT 3935681    HCV RNA QT RT PCR 6.60. the nurse said these #s are quite high? I am going to a GI immediatley and hopefully can have the hep c treatment?

[byebyeC]

Hi SZTahoe,

Welcome to the forums! Here's a link that'll explain VL in detail:

http://www.m.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/c-hcv-viral-load

Simply put, scientists use the decimal system to avoid the giant strings of numbers...
Your VL is higher than some, lower than others, like mine for instance. The new meds are capable of clearing even crazy high numbers. I hope that's a comfort to you. Look down at my signature line, and you'll see how quickly I went from 7,000,000 to 1200.

Hang in there, and come back to the forums as you need it. This has been an amazing  resource to me and many others going through treatment.

Time to kick this beasties keester!

 
Marianne