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Hep C Discussion Forum -> General Discussion -> high viral load
Post Info TOPIC: high viral load
Moocow


Guru

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RE: high viral load
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Hi Sunny and welcome to the forum-

It's not that uncommon for anyone in the medical arena to get infected from needlesticks. Many doctors, nurses and even lab techs have been infected via accidental needle sticks. EMT's and Paramedics included.

HCV is a blood borne pathogen and this could have been much, much worse if you think about it. I hope the hospital and law enforcement are doing something to charge that patient with some type of endangerment.  If that patient knew he was infected, that's definitely a deliberate form of bodily injury/endangerment.

Viral loads fluctuate- 13M isn't that high, in my opinion. Maybe high to your PCP because of the early, acute stage perhaps? Those of us that have chronic (or had) HCV had much higher viral loads when we started treatment.

And don't worry too much about VL- just let the specialist decide what and when you should start treatment. Unfortunately, being a 1a means 48 weeks of treatment- but you are young and will probably respond very well.

We'll all be here for you if you need questions answered that your doctor isn't answering, which you will probably get all your questions answered when you see the specialist. I'm sure you'll get good care.

And you can always hold out for a while to start treatment- I don't know if you can go ahead and at least take your nursing boards, then start treatment. At least get that off your plate after you graduate.

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ty


Guru

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Posts: 590
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Hi Sunny77,  I just wanted to welcome you to the forum.  I'm pretty new here so I don't really know the technical stuff, but there are plenty of people from all over the world who do.  I'm sure they'll be able to fill you in.  Welcome again and take care, tysmile

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Genotype 2 - 24 week Tx - Start 10-8-2010 - 4 week PCR test UND, 12 week PCR test UND, 24 week PCR UND,  SVR Oct. 11 
sunny77


Member

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Posts: 34
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I just found out yesterday that I contracted Hep C 1a from a needlestick (actually a needle assault!) 7 weeks ago. My viral load as of last week (my first follow up blod draw) was 13 and a half million. I have my first GI visit scheduled next week, so I'll get more info then I'm sure. But my PCP said that she's never seen a viral load that high.

So, knowing that I got infected just 7 weeks ago, does a high viral load mean anything???

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