My husband has been recently tested positive for Hep C. The test result was 13600000...by PCR...what does this mean? Is it posible to have the virus for a long time and not have any symptoms? My husband had a blood transfusion over 30 years ago...other than that we have no idea how it was picked up. His symptoms at this stage are extreme fatigue, body aches and some skin adhesions... We are waiting for the next set of tests to consider whether to take treatment...Any suggestions on ways to approach this virus is appreciated. Thanks..

My husband has been recently tested positive for Hep C. The test result was 13600000...by PCR...what does this mean? Is it posible to have the virus for a long time and not have any symptoms? My husband had a blood transfusion over 30 years ago...other than that we have no idea how it was picked up. His symptoms at this stage are extreme fatigue, body aches and some skin adhesions... We are waiting for the next set of tests to consider whether to take treatment...Any suggestions on ways to approach this virus is appreciated. Thanks..

Hi 7,

I had the virus for--as best as i can estimate--35 or more years before it was diagnosed, and i never experienced what i knew to be symptoms. i had mild hypoglycemia, and bad mid-day collapses into tiredness, and a few things like that which i now know were probably linked to the hep c, but i had nothing i would have called an illness--no obvious or persistent symptoms, no pain, etc.
so yes, it can happen--it's common, in fact.
i don't know what skin adhesions are--i've never heard of something like this as a hep symptom, although serious itching problems, yes. the other items sound like hep for sure.
i don't know how severe his tiredness and all are, but do not conclude that because he tests positive, he must treat. many of us spend years deciding whether to treat or not. the virus is very slow moving and unless a biopsy shows serious, progressive liver fibrosis, even if one chooses treatment it does not have to be rushed. i stretched my waiting and watching for several years after diagnosis.

try to be calm about it and learn all you can. this virus, for most of us, gives time to learn and consider. the treatment is a bear, and not for everyone.

hope this helps

sean

Well..we now know my husband has genotype 1b. I understand this can be one of the harder strains to treat. Our next step is seeing a specialist.....reading replies to my thread and others helps..so thanks..Can anyone help with the suggestion of a good liver tonic.....at the moment my husband is taking vitamin c and milk thistle....regards..