Health Department STUMPED by Hep C labs!

[nursestick]

In April 2009 I received a work related needle stick exposure from a Hep C + patient.
My baseline test In April 2009 were Hep C/HIV neg.
In June 09, Oct 09 and Jan 09 my HCV antibody and RNC Qualitative tests were negative.
The most recent test in May 10 showed neg HCV antibody but  Hep C RNC positive.
There has been absolutely  NO recent exposure.
With the exposure being 13 MONTHS AGO is it possible that the virus is now just showing up?
After the needle stick exposure in April 09 I took antivirals for 5 days, while waiting for patient's neg HIV test results.
Could taking the antivirals for 5 days cause such a delay in a Hep C infection??
Also 3 days prior  to my most recent lab test I received my first series of the Gardasil shot. Could that have caused a false positive??
My doctor, the CDC, and the Health Department are stumped!!
If anyone has information or links of possible delayed + results or possibly Gardasil causing a false positive please respond!

[nursestick]

I am totally aware that HPV and Hep C a Very different things, but at the same time wanted to through out any possible factors that may have affected the most recent lab test.

The testing has always been through Quest. Are the labcorp NGI quantasure or quest heptamax test any different than a lab request from my doctor for a Hep C RNA PCR?

[copyman]

silly me,

i was thinking of Globulin for preventing HBV.

i agree with Marcia Gardasil would not affect the HCV test.

If you are having the local health dept do these tests I think it is time you get tested at one of the labs I mention in my previous post.

[Marcia2202]

I have never heard of someone having hep c, but no antibodies. It sounds like the blood sample might have been contaminated.

Gardasil is a vaccine against Human Papilloma Virus, I don't see how that could cause a positive hep c test.

[copyman]

that is very strange. i'm thinking one of the tests are false. i dont think Gardasil is for HCV, i thought it was for HBV ? anyway i would look at getting a more sensitive test like the labcorp NGI quantasure or quest heptamax test. good luck