I became ill last year with Lyme disease. Before the diagnosis, I was tested for HCV. The first test was negative. About 10 months later, I was tested again, and the test was positive. Do I definitely have hepatitis?

I must sound really ignorant, but I know absolutely nothing about HCV. Would I have gotten that from the tick bite? I am currently taking various medications to recover from Lyme, but is there anything I should be doing for HCV? How is it spread?

Ten months is easily enough time to be exposed to hepatitis C and develop antibodies that will show up on a test.

It isn't likely that you were exposed by a tick or that this had anything at all to do with the exposure.

There is also a question of what test you were given for hepatitis C. Lab errors DO occur, so was an infection confirmed by an HCV RNA test? If not, this is the test you need to determine whether you have an infection or not. See your docor.

I hope this helps,

thanbey

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[This message has been edited by thanbey (edited 04-11-2003).]