What is considered a positive hep C result?

What is considered a positive hep C result?

► A reactive or positive antibody test means you have been infected with the hepatitis C virus at some point in time. ► Once people have been infected, they will always have antibodies in their blood. This is true if they have cleared the virus, have been cured, or still have the virus in their blood.

What is a high count for hep C?

A viral load of more than 800,000 IU/mL is considered high. This can make successful treatment more challenging. Undetectable viral load. A viral load of less than 615 IU/mL means there’s no detectable HCV, or it’s too low to detect.

Can your body clear hep C?

Yes. From 15% to 20% of people with hep C clear it from their bodies without treatment. It’s more likely to happen in women and people who have symptoms. But it usually happens between 4 and 18 months after symptoms start.

Can you clear hep C on your own?

Like the human papillomavirus (HPV), early acute hepatitis C can clear on its own without treatment; this happens about 25% of the time. However, it’s more likely that the virus will remain in your body longer than six months, at which point it’s considered to be chronic hepatitis C infection.

Can I get hep C from my partner?

Hepatitis C is transmitted primarily by exposure to blood containing the hepatitis C virus. Current research suggests that if you’re in a long-term, monogamous relationship with a partner who has hepatitis C, your risk of contracting hepatitis C is quite low — unless you also have human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

What are the stages of hep C?

The stages of hepatitis C include: the acute stage, chronic hepatitis C, cirrhosis of the liver, and end-stage hepatitis C. Hepatitis C is an infection caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV) that leads to liver inflammation. Symptoms can be mild for many years, even while liver damage is taking place.

How long does hep C stay active?

Ronald ValdiserriA recent study by researchers from the Yale Schools of Medicine and Public Health revealed that the hepatitis C virus (HCV) can remain infectious for up to 6 weeks on surfaces at room temperature—resulting in a much longer period for potential transmission than was previously appreciated.

Can you pass hep C once cured?

There is no virus to spread. The person is not contagious. Remember that after cure or after the body clears hep C on its own during the acute ( new) phase of infection, we can catch hepatitis C again. If this occurs, there is a new infection and yes this can be spread.