Can you have Hep C antibodies and not have hep C?

Some people have antibodies associated with the virus in their blood but do not have an active hepatitis C infection. These antibodies can lead to false-positive results on blood tests for an active infection. A person can have hepatitis C for a number of years, or sometimes decades, without experiencing any symptoms.

Do you still test positive for hep C after treatment?

After a successful course of treatment for hepatitis C, the hepatitis C antibody remains detectable, but the hepatitis C RNA will be undetectable. If you plan to donate blood, you will be tested for the hepatitis C antibody and will be turned away even if you do not have an active infection.

What does reactive mean for Hep A?

If your test is positive or reactive, it may mean: You have an active HAV infection. You have had an HAV infection in the last 6 months.

Can Hep C be cured permanently?

However, new treatments for hepatitis C over the past few years mean that the virus today is much more manageable than it was in the past. In most cases, hepatitis C is curable , so it’s important to seek treatment early if you may have the virus.

Can Hep C be naturally cleared?

Despite claims on the Internet, no natural remedy has been proven to cure hepatitis C. There may be remedies that improve symptoms associated with hep C, but none has permanently eradicated the virus.

How do you contract Hep C?

Contracting Hepatitis C. The most common means of contracting hepatitis C is through infected blood and blood products. People can come in contact with infected blood by working in a laboratory or a dialysis unit, by using infected needles for tattoos or body piercings, or through sharing drug needles.

Can Hep C be transmitted sexually?

In rare cases, hepatitis C can be transmitted through sexual activity, but the risk is considered low, especially for monogamous couples. Sexual transmission requires contact with blood during sex, such as during rough sex or if one person has an open sore or wound.