Hi again, Althea, I`m glad you went and had the blood tests, well done.  Do let us know the results, and best of luck! 

Hi Althea,

I'm happy to hear you've gone in to have the tests run. This will put your mind at ease and finally provide you with the answers you need. Good luck and if by chance you do come back positive for HCV, the treatments have never been better or more successful. Let us know what you hear!

Tig

Hi and welcome, over a decade ago when I was a RN, I kept getting sick and would end up having to leave work and go to emergency dept. I asked my ex dr to run liver profile, which she said was slightly elevated and not to worry. She then sent me to every specialist who tried to put me on every Rx known to man. I had 21 different Rx; that I was supposed to be taking .I kept getting sicker. Well, she left, I told new dr; who blew a fit and said anytime its off needs to be redone again in about a month and if still elevated test for Hep C , which he did. And I had Hep C. By time all this was done I couldnt walk across a store with out nearly passing out. The massive amts of  Rx that I was prescribed were all highly toxic to liver. I ended up on disability ,and am now with a great GI/Hepatologist ;waiting for non interferon Rx any day. Good luck and get tested ASAP.   Michaele    PS: must have gotten Hep C in early 1970s 

Hi Althea and welcome to the forum, I`m glad you found us.

First of all, it`s certainly not a stupid question and you`re doing the sensible thing by asking people who`ve been there.  Basically the answer to your first question is yes...it is quite possible to be infected for decades and be totally unaware of it and actually that`s not uncommon.  Many of us here (myself included) only found out we were infected with the virus while having routine medicals or blood tests after already having Hep C for many years.

In light of the fact that you did dabble with drugs (as did so many of us back in the day) I think it would definitely be worth you having a simple blood test to determine whether of not you have been exposed to the virus and if so whether you have an active infection.  I`m surprised your doctor implied that Hep C is an STD though as it`s very rarely passed on via sexual contact.  Hep C is a blood borne virus and so there has to be direct `blood to blood` contact for someone to be infected, and it can`t be transmitted through `normal` sexual practices.

Try not to worry too much, just have the test done for your own peace of mind, and the chances are that you don`t have it.  And if it does turn out that you test positive for the virus then please rest assured that Hep C is easily treatable nowadays with new drugs which have recently become available.

Wishing you all the best, and I hope that helps! 

Hi

I have not been diagnosed with Hep C, in fact, I haven't been tested yet.

I'm just really curious if someone could have Hep C for decades and not know it?

Dr says I need to be tested, even though I'm 58 and the last possible exposure would be over 35 yrs ago (did dabble a little in drugs as did many of my generation)

I have some "off" liver values and have had those for 2 yrs or so now, but the dr said she thinks those are from fatty liver disease (I'm overwt)

I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around this whole thing, you know?
Are ppl really being diagnosed decades after they were exposed?

I hear Hep C is not sexually transmitted but then I was asked if I'd ever had any "Other" STDs....?!?!?!

yep I"m confused. I figured the ppl who would know best are those who have been diagnosed, so that's why I'm here bugging you with my stupid questions

thanks in advance