Reactive antibody with negative pcr

[Lmart27]

So I had a reactive antibody test two weeks ago (I don't have any risk factors), and the follow up pcr was negative.  It was the one that would have given a viral load if the virus had been detected.  I really want to know if I have ever been exposed, or if the reactive antibody result was a false positive, because I've had 3 children in recent years and I would rather not have them all tested if not necessary.  This lab does not do the riba test, but are doing the other pcr test as another check.  My questions are: 1) do I need to get the RIBA test to know for sure? And 2) what can cause false positives?  (They ran it again with the follow up tests and it was positive again.)

[sparky43]

I concur with what can-do-man said.   The chances of getting two false-positive tests are extremely remote.   The tests they run these days are very accurate.  You say you don't have any risk factors, but there are some low-risk but real factors that they don't officially talk about.  Serving in the military in the 60s through the 80s is one.  Going to the dentist or having an invasive medical procedure are others (back in the day, dentists and hospitals weren't always very careful about sterilizing their instruments).

Around 25% of people who get the initial (acute) infection with Hepatitis C have immune systems that are able to fight it off.   Their bodies produced antibodies which will always be floating around in their bloodstream, but all of the actual virus has been killed off.   It sounds like this is what happened to you.   You are fine.

[can-do-man]

Hi, There is no reason to worry about your kids as you don't have the virus. As for it being a false positive that would not seem to be the case since you re-tested. So at one time you came into contact with the virus and your immune system fought it off.

I really don't see any reason in anymore testing since you don't have a viral load.

Congrats and wishing you the best.

BTW a man cannot pass the virus to their kids through pregnancy, only the mother can and that is rare.