False positive for Hep C?

I got lab results today. Everything is fine (CBC, comprehensive metabolic panel, etc) except one thing. My test for Hep C came back reactive. It's at 1.32 (anything under 1.00 is non reactive). My doctor said it's unlikely I have it because the number is low and she has had patients who had much higher numbers ultimaley come back negative. She is going to send me to do another test but that will take 4-6 weeks to get the results. I have never injected drugs, and I always practice safe (or safer) sex. My liver and kidney functioning came back excellent. Should I just assume I don't have it? I don't want to be thinking about this for 4-6 weeks.....False positive for Hep C?
You need the confirmatory test for Hep C, the RIBA. It is expensive, though. I don't know why they said it would be six weeks. They should be able to get it in a couple of days.False positive for Hep C?
well it is just false positive wait for the second test. Hepatitis C is generally acquired by blood to blood transmission. Mainly like injections, blood transfusion and the like.
Hep B %26amp; C there are a lot of false positives for! Which sucks because you're freaking out waiting for the second result lol. You are probably okay I wouldn't stress just yet.
you don't get hcv from sex unless there is blood to blood cross contamination (one reason why hcv is not a true std and why so many who are married or in long term relationships only have one partner infected)....and a person doesn't always mean they have ever injected drugs to get hcv infection, the point is simple: hcv is acquired through blood to bloodstream and hcv infected blood can find ways to get into a persons blood stream. There are literally thousands of ways blood can find it's way....some examples: going to the barbers and being nicked by the blad they shave the neck with- getting nails done at a salon, tattoos, accidentally using the wrong razor or toothbrush- anything abrasive that could have blood on it (wet or in some cases, dry- up to four days!)





Secondly, your liver functions can remain normal and you can still have hcv infection.....usually alt and ast levels are found to be in normal limits in many who have hcv infection. the reason is not clear as to why, but one reason is that you could simply could of been too recently exposed.





last, the reason you are waiting for 4-6 weeks more for more testing is because many have false positives as results due the hcv hasn't had enough time to develop enough viron activity to give a clear picture- it can take up to 6 months for someone to truely test positive.





try not to worry too much- i know it's easier said than done, but in all reality, it's good that your being tested- because if it is positive the upside is that treatment works best if the virus is found early...and the virus hasn't been there for decades and decades like so many who went misdiagnosed and undiagnosed.





Best of luck to you! :O)