Think I have Hep C. What to do next?

[YoungT]

Hey guys. I needed your advice on something.

So a few weeks ago, I took a blood test and it found that I had the Hep C Virus Antibody w/ a signal to cut-off ratio of 1.31 which predicted that I had the HCV. I consulted with my physician and he said I probably did have it, but that my liver was perfectly fine and that I shouldn't worry about it right now. I, on the other hand, wanted to find out if I had it asap so I took the RIBA reflex last week and it came out reactive. I'm assuming that that's it and that I do have it now.

In 2006, I had a blood test and my cut-off ratio back then was @ 0.52 which meant I didn't have the antibodies. Since then, I've only had unprotected sex one time, no blood transfusions or drugs, tatoos, and I've been pretty careful with sharing hygiene items. I'll admit that small piece of me still believes that I don't have it because I don't know how I got it

Anyways....my question is what should I do now? My doctor says I should just follow up on it in another 6 months and see how it bad gets. He says whether I have or not I have the virus, it isn't active yet. Could somebody offer some suggestions? Thanks for reading.

[meki]

OK...

First... you could have been exposed to HCV... Remember... A small group of people NATURALLY CLEAR HCV.

They keep the antibodies - but they assume no viral load.

ACTIVE HCV --- when your body cannot fight HCV and you begin to have a viral load.

It is possible that you are one of the ones who cleared an acute infection - and you may never have to worry about it.

However - if you have tested positive for the HCV antibodies - it is IMPERATIVE that you get a Test to determine whether you have any viral load.

PCR test

If you have a viral load - then it is probably in your best interest to start deciding if you are interested in treating. Some people may maintain a viral load and have NO damage to their livers.

Next - get a biopsy of your liver (or fibroscan - etc.)  and determine if you have damage.

Then talk to a Doctor who specializes in livers --- liver diseases, etc.

At the very minimum Find a doctor who knows how to treat HCV.

Good Luck.

Meki

[spcecst2]

Maybe you could get your doctor to share his/her definition of "not active yet" or "active"??????????????

[Jakied]

If the riba test is reactive, you definitely have the antibody to Hcv.  What is not know is whether you have the hep c Virus.  The screening test and riba test look for antibody only.

Ask your doctor for a pcr, qualitative, test.  this will test your blood for the virus itself, not antibody.  the qualitative test is more sensitive than the quantitative.

you may be one the lucky few who clear the virus without treatment.

Good luck.

[fretboard]

If I were you I would listen to the doctor, if after 6 months or so it becomes active and you want to get treated, see a heptologist.  There are quite a few people on this forum who don't know how they got this virus, you are not alone on that issue.  Hopefully you can get some comfort reading some of these posts, not everyone on here has had a happy ending so I suggest that you read, knowledge is power.  God Bless  

[drew1985]

Have you got a HCV RNA test? You need to get one to directly measure for the presence of the virus. Your doctor should have told you this...