hepatitis question

[dontknow29]

I recently came back positive for hepatits c  antibodies about two weeks ago then my doctor retested me with HCV AB w/reflex to verification and that came back negative (non-reactive) and now my doctor says I dont have hepatits with the viral load coming back non reactive as well all the hepatitis panel. everything on this test came back negative. Which is correct?

[Dee1956]

Congratulations!  You don't have HCV, it is always so confusing to me why a doctor will just check the anti bodies, don't they know that only a viral load can be run?
So crazy how they freak people out, make them worry for no reason

Take Care, Dee

[flyinlynn]

How soon after exposure can the virus be detected?

http://gi.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/institute-HCVPatientBrochure_Commonly_Asked_Questions.pdf

The virus appears in blood and can be detected as
early as 2–3 weeks after infection.

[SurfsideGal]

Viral load testing is extremely accurate three weeks after exposure.

[dontknow29]

How accurate is the viral load test considering a 2-3 month window?

[SurfsideGal]

Yes, false positives can happen. Antibody positive just means you were exposed (if it is not a false positive). The viral load test means either you cleared the virus on your own which approximately 25% do, or your antibody test was a false positive. Congratulations!

[dontknow29]

*my doctor says I don't have hepatitis c with the new test. Which test is correct? Can false positives happen?