Hi everyone, I hope you are all winning your fight and my hopes are with you.

Last month, I got tested for HEP C just as a routine test. I really have no exposures except tattoos and a issue from years ago. The EIA3 test came back indeterminate, and the RIBA did too. They just retested me again, and they both came back the same. My last tattoo was over a year ago, and my last REALLY risky exposure was over 20 years ago. In the past 20 years, I have had a little problem with drinking and some of the other stuff, but never got sick or anything. No hangovers, anything. I have been clean and sober for 8 years now. The 20 year ago risk was the one I am really worried about. My ALT is 20 and my AST is 18. My liver must be ok....why are these tests not working I wonder? I really hope that I don't have HEP C because I finally got my whole life together and this scares the crap out of me.

Hi,
you should discuss the results with your doc. As far as I know, EIA3 is antibody test - positive result means that you had a contact with the virus in the past. Usually about 20% of people infected with HCV get rid of the virus spontaneously. To check, if the virust persist in your body, you need more detailed test (PCR).

Petr