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Houston, TX
A 57-year-old male asked:

Help, m, 57 in suspense, qualitative hcv pcr result after three days, hep c antibody at 14 (cut off of 1). alt, serum albumin, protein, cbc all normal.

2 doctor answers2 doctors weighed in
Dr. Dan Fisher
Internal Medicine 29 years experience
Wait and see.: Not sure i understand the predicament. Sounds like you have had a screening antibody test for hcv which was positive and are awaiting results of a confirmatory test, the hcv pcr. Your liver seems completely normal by lab work. There is nothing to be done until results of confirmatory testing are available.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Dr. Camilla Graham
Internal Medicine - Infectious Disease 29 years experience
Result?: Your scenario reminds us that even if an hcv antibody test is positive, it is mandatory to check hcv RNA (viral load) to see if someone actually has active infection. About 25% of people will have spontaneously cleared infection soon after being exposed (and many people were exposed and cleared 20 - 30 years ago).
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Last updated Jan 31, 2015

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