Hep C Antibodies - Hepatitis Message Board

Marg001 · 01-29-2005, 12:04 AM

Hi there, I'm new to the board and just wanted to ask a few questions. I have finally found the love of my life, he told me right off that he has Hep C.
We have only been with each other sexually, what I am wondering is what my chances are contracting it? He was with somebody else before me that has advanced Hep C in which she is now getting interferon treatments. I am at a lost because it seems like he doesn't really want to talk about it. We have been together for 3 and a half years now should I be getting tested?
Thank I would really appreciate any feedback on this.
Take good care!!!!
P.S. I just realized that I said he has the Antibodies, so maybe somebody could tell me what that means compared to full blown Hep C.

blurayne · 01-29-2005, 11:26 AM

Yes you should get tested! I just got tested and found out I tested positive for the antibody for hepc. My ex who I was with for 6 years has hep c (didn't tell me until 3 yrs into it) and he had to go for the treatments which he could not handle and stopped. I have been feeling fatigue lately and got tested, I turned up positive for the antibody which means I have been exposed to it but it may not turn into anything. Kind of like I could be a carrier, but never get the virus itself. I think you should get tested because the treatment can be brutal. but If you can catch it right away, you may be able to save yourself alot of pain and misery. Maybe it could be taken care of quicker and with less medication than if you say wait 5 years and end up like the ex girlfriend and it's so much worse it takes more to take care of. Not to mention, if you don't have it, don't you want to protect yourself??? yes, there is a chance you don't so go and get tested asap. this way you know what to do. I get my results monday or tuesday to see if I just have the antibody or the virus. scarry, and then my husband needs to be tested because the same as you, I don't want to expose him to it if he doesn't have it and I do. If we have to use protection during the rest of out marriage, so be it. It's better than exposing him to this. I love him way too much to risk his well being. You need to feel that way about You, even if your boyfriend doesn't! good luck, lisa

jessy28 · 01-29-2005, 01:46 PM

You could have the antibodies with out having the virus. Which basically means that you have been exposed to the virus and your body fought it off and created the antibodies. Chances of contracting it sexually are very low but yet still there. I have hep c and so does my husband. Although we did not get it sexually. I would get tested and ask a doctor what they think about it being sexually transmitted.

thanbey · 01-29-2005, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blurayne

..........I have been feeling fatigue lately and got tested, I turned up positive for the antibody which means I have been exposed to it but it may not turn into anything. Kind of like I could be a carrier, but never get the virus itself........ good luck, lisa

New information has shown that those with antibodies only must be as careful as those who do test positive by PCR or TMA.

Here's the bad news: You may have virus below the level of detection of the test you took. If you took a PCR test that is not as sensitive as the newer ones, then you have a chance of testing positive by the newer, more sensitive PCT or TMA tests. Even the newer, more sentitive TMA tests are not 100% sensitive (though they are getting closer!)

This means that you need to do the following in order to protect against any virus that is present from erupting into a chronic infection and protect your liver from being vulnerable to any fluctuations in viral load at a low level:

1. Avoid alcohol totally.

2. Eat well.

3. Exercise regularly

4. Maintain a normal weight to avoid extra fat in the liver.

5. Get vaccinated for hepA and hepB.

6. Continue to monitor your liver enzymes regularly and to get retested by PCR when newer testing becomes available to make sure your results are accurate.

Here's the good news:

If you do this, your chances of ever having problems related to hepatitis C are minimal.

I hope this helps,

thanbey