Positive for Hep C antibodies--what can I expect?

[jdb1965]

Hello to all, I'm new to this forum--I'm a 47 year old male, just got my blood test results back from a life insurance assessment and they tell me I've tested positive for exposure to Hep C.  My AST is 47, ALT 52 and GGTP is off the charts at 320.  After what I have read and heard, these numbers seem consistent with active Hep C presence.
I've never had any of the symptoms, and feel fine, but I know it can lie dormant for many years.
The only time I think I could have been possibly exposed would have been in hospital in India about 4 years ago.

How likely is a false positive for antibodies, and how likely is it for one's own body to fight it off?  Also if I need treatment, what can I expect?  Are the treatments effective?
I am reasonably fit and have plenty of energy, but this is a bit scary as I am newly married with a 16 month old little girl.  I've told my wife about the test results and she is worried, but supportive.  
I figure it's best to ask people who have been where I am for insight.  I'm a little scared by this.
Thanks for being here!

[psyrn]

Hi I feel your pain, I recently had a similar experience. the fist thing you should know is that there are drugs out there that CURE hep C in 12 to 24 weeks. The drugs are expensive but in my case they were covered by insurance. If that is not the case there is a drug called Harvoni that has a generic version available in India for around $1000 for the whole treatment. In the US the same brand name treatment costs $100,000! The reason being that India does not recognize the drug company's (Gilead) patent.
In answer to your other questions, it sounds like you are a "low risk factor" patient. In your case you have a big chance you either have fought off the virus on your own or the test was a false positive. The chance that you fought it off on your own is 30%. Find out what your antibody level was, if it was really low (like mine was) you have a 95% chance that you do not have the infection. Look on the CDC website for more on this.

The next test they should order for you is the RNA test to see if you have the virus. If it comes back negative you can order a "RIBA" test to see if it was a false positive or if you fought off the infection.
Good luck!!!!

[Anony2012]

Where would I found out what's the most effective treatment for chronic hep c genotype 1? And does chronic just mean that you've had it for a long time? My friend has hep c so I am research mode trying to understand it better and trying to help him find a way to get a cure.

[pooh55811]

It is normal to be worried, concerned, anxious. We all were. I know I barely slept at all for 2.5 weeks (after I was diagnosed with chronic Hep C). I had trouble finding accurate and current information so it seemed everything I was reading was doom and gloom. After I received more current information, I was in a lot better shape emotionally.

Here's hoping you had a false positive or your body fought the Hep C off. However, if not, keep in mind that Hep C is generally a rather slow moving disease. Most of us on the forum have had Hep C for decades. Many of us did not know we had it until recently.

Again, keep in mind that Hep C is treatable and it is curable. Many of us on the forum have treated, are in treatment, or are about to start treatment.   Many of us have been cured through the treatment regimens and others of us are waiting to find out if we are cured.

Again, best of luck.

[jdb1965]

Thanks for the concise information--it really does help set my mind at ease, a little.  
I'm headed for more tests, I'll hope for no virus count or a false positive, but if it is chronic I sure will have more questions.
Wishing the best to all here in their own struggles.

--Josh