Question 1

should i stop working in the health field, if i test+ for hep c?

Accepted Answer

No: If you test positive and indeed have an active infection ( check with your doctor), you may still work in healthcare if you take appropriate measures to protect yourself and the patients you serve.

Question 2

i had unprotected sex and have tested (-) for all stis i did not test for hep c  how big a risk is hep c  after one exposure? worried...

Accepted Answer

Hep C not an STI: Hepatitis C is not considered an STI or STD. It is uncertain how often or how easily healthy people actually catch Hepatitis C through sexual activities. The current opinion is that Hep C can be transmitted through sexual activities, but that transmission doesn't happen very much, so not to worry. A person should stay safe and avoid blood contact and avoid other STD's.

Question 3

been tested for hiv five times, four with home rapid tests, once at clinic, all negative. if test for hep c and b come out pos, more hiv tests needed?

Accepted Answer

If new exposures: If a person has new, risky exposures to HIV, after testing negative, then future testing can be done. The fix here is, of course, to NOT expose oneself to new, risky situations... otherwise, one will either worry all the time, or have to do periodic testing in the future. If one does not stop risky exposures, there is no other way around it.

Question 4

what are those extra numbers on hep c test.. 0.02?

Accepted Answer

: s/co ratio means signal-to-cutoff ratio. Lab will have interval reference for there test. If it is for Hep C Ab. Example is 0.0- 0.9
neg - less than 0.8, indeterminate - 0.9-0.9, positive- greater than 0.9. 
If your number is related to this ratio. then your 0.02 is consider negative.
You can call your lab for the specifics.

Question 5

my hep c test was 0.9 so is this a positive or a negative?

Accepted Answer

Reference range: The laboratory should report a reference range with the results. If it is above the reference range it would be positive. Was it an antibody test? If you have any concerns you may wish to get a nucleic acid test.

Question 6

is a hep-c rna test conclusive at 45 days post exposure?

Accepted Answer

: Yes.  the hepatitis C virus RNA (PCR) test — can detect the virus much sooner. It can identify whether a person has the infection 2–3 weeks after exposure.
God forbid, you have Hep C infection, note that is is curable with medication.

Question 7

my hep-c ab tests went from 0.1 to 0.2 in the course of 1 month. at normal intervals from 0.1-0.9

Accepted Answer

Don't worry: A change  from 0.1 to 0.2 when the normal range is .1-.9 is normal and an insignificant change.

Question 8

hep c for over 30 years and was denied harvoni because of f2 on metavir test  i need tx and am considering another country with generics. help?

Accepted Answer

Try appealing: I know some patients have written their insurance companies over and over ad nauseam to the point  that the insurance carrier will just approve it. These are new meds so generics are not available in other countries to my knowledge.

Question 9

hep c anti algorithm test was reactive, but did not show s/co ratio. nurse claims it's "high reactive" but could not give the cutoff value. all labs have a s/co value why did this not. was the nurse incorrect? she just said it was high w/o a ratio?

Accepted Answer

Does not add up: There is no Hep c anti algorithm test. If you got the actual test result, it should have the name and contact information of the laboratory that did the test and you may wish to contact the laboratory for an explanation.
For good health - Have a diet rich in fresh vegetables, fruits, whole grains, milk and milk products, nuts, beans, legumes, lentils and small amounts of lean meats. Avoid saturated fats. Drink enough water daily, so that your urine is mostly colorless. Exercise at least 150 minutes/week and increase the intensity of exercise gradually. Do not use tobacco, alcohol, weed or street drugs in any form. 
Practice safe sex, if you have sex. 
Get HPV vaccine

Question 10

will a hep c antibody test at 11 weeks after exposure give a conclusive result?

Accepted Answer

Generally: There are other ways of testing, but if you have a normal immune system and were exposed 11 weeks previously you should have developed measurable antibody titers by that time.

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Doctor answers about:

How long to test for hep c

A member asked:

Should i stop working in the health field, if i test+ for hep c?

A member asked:

I had unprotected sex and have tested (-) for all stis i did not test for hep c how big a risk is hep c after one exposure? worried...

A member asked:

Been tested for hiv five times, four with home rapid tests, once at clinic, all negative. if test for hep c and b come out pos, more hiv tests needed?

A member asked:

What are those extra numbers on hep c test.. 0.02?

A member asked:

My hep c test was 0.9 so is this a positive or a negative?

A member asked:

Is a hep-c rna test conclusive at 45 days post exposure?

A member asked:

My hep-c ab tests went from 0.1 to 0.2 in the course of 1 month. at normal intervals from 0.1-0.9

A member asked:

Hep c for over 30 years and was denied harvoni because of f2 on metavir test i need tx and am considering another country with generics. help?

A member asked:

Hep c anti algorithm test was reactive, but did not show s/co ratio. nurse claims it's "high reactive" but could not give the cutoff value. all labs have a s/co value why did this not. was the nurse incorrect? she just said it was high w/o a ratio?

A member asked:

Will a hep c antibody test at 11 weeks after exposure give a conclusive result?

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