Hi Doctor,

I have been to your clinic a few times.
I have tested for following
hepC , hep B and HIV at 12 weeks and I was told this is conclusive.

I am having fever, night seats, pain in abdomen which goes away with ant-inflamatory for last 12 days.

Is third generation elisa at 12 weeks for hep C conclusive.

Also percerntage wise how many would be +ve by 12 weeks for Hepc elisa 3rd generation anti body test.
I also had LGT done at other clinic which was normal


I am reading at CDC that it only 80% develop ant-bodies at 4 months

[Dr Jose]

Hello,
Thank you very much for your post.
A negative Hep C antibody test can be considered conclusive at 12 weeks in most cases, up to 93% of people who have been infected would have a positive result at 12 weeks. Patients on haemodyalisis or immunocompromised might seroconvert later. I do not believe this to be the case in your situation, especially bearing in mind that your liver function tests were all normal. Your symptoms are non-specific and can be symptoms of hundreds of other conditions, much more common than Hepatitis C.
I do not think that you need to worry about Hep C. However if you are still in doubt, you can always have a PCR RNA test for Hep C. This should be negative and in that case you would not have any doubts at all whatsoever. Having said all of this, I do not think that you need it.
Best wishes,
José

Hi Doctor,

Thanks for your reponse, My sypmtoms of abdominal pain, weigth loss, no apetite and diarrehea persist,
I got PCR test done at doctors laborartory which probably carries test for you as well,

Can there be a case where PCR is is negative and still person be Hep c carrier as I came across articles saying PCR RNA might go in cyclic curve for HCV and single PCR test is unrelaible.

My PCr was done at 4months.

Also I fo just go for Hep c pcr can what cost I am looking at your place.

Thanks for your reply once again.

[Dr Sean]

Hello,

You have had, as far as I can see, two Hepatitis C tests - one third generation antibody test and one Hep C PCR test.

Both of these were negative and you do NOT need to test again. They have shown quite conclusively and quite independently of each other that you are Hep C negative.

best wishes, Sean

Thanks Doctor,

One last question is there any chance that HCV pcr at 18 weeks becomes non detectable as its amount goes in curve.

Thanks and Regards

[Dr Sean]

No, this does not happen.