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Hep C Discussion Forum -> General Discussion -> Questions after being cleared
Post Info TOPIC: Questions after being cleared
Cinnamon Girl


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RE: Questions after being cleared
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Hi triple6dc2, welcome to the forum.  First of all, in reply to Bill`s suggestion, once anyone has been infected with Hep C they will always carry the antibodies, whether the virus has been cleared or not. 

Now, from what you`ve told us about receiving the news by letter it sounds pretty definite that you have cleared the virus and the time scale would fit too.  If you were diagnosed about a year ago it seems quite possible that you had only recently been infected at that point and then at some time during the following 6 months, still during the acute stage, your immune system spontaneously fought off the virus.  So when you had your recent tests it showed the virus was undetected.  If you want to have it confirmed then you could ask for another test, just for peace of mind, but I tend to agree with you that they wouldn`t have given you this news in a letter unless they were absolutely sure.

In answer to your questions, the general advice is to continue to take sensible precautions even after the Hep C is cleared.  It is possible to relapse, even though the risk is very small, which is why you can never donate blood again.  And of course you could still become reinfected if you come into blood contact with the virus again.  Clearing the virus doesn`t give make you immune to further infection so you should avoid risky behaviour which involves blood to blood contact.  It`s also advisable to avoid alcohol if possible, or at least keep it to a minimum, although it`s unlikely that the virus has caused much if any damage in the time you were infected.

Hope that helps answer your questions. 

 



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Jill 

(71 yo, lives in UK)

Was Gen 3a, 

24wks Peg Ifn/Riba, Sep 2010 - Mch 2011

UND @ Wk.4, UND @ EOT, 

SVR Nov 2011 --> Still UND @ EOT + 4 yrs.

 

 
Bills


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I would insist on re-test to be sure and get you results    if its a problem to do that ?

Another way to see if you have any exposure to HVC is to donate blood. 

If you have  the antibodies it shows up then you'll know to get really checked out 

They will Not use infected blood and have to let you know in US anyway  



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Bills

Harvoni started 12-12-14 for 24 wks PrevTX Geno 1 stage 3 cirrhosis - non resp Int/ ribv. Started Trial  in Aug 2011 -July 2012 into Incivek relapsed  Feb 2013 Had 72 weeks on interferon & Riba.

Tig


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Having dealt with these people for decades, I've learned to question and confirm everything they tell me. Never assume anything! You could have a nurse that saw your LFT's return to normal levels and assume that meant you were clear of the virus. If you can obtain the types of tests you had done and their results we'd be able to confirm your diagnosis. You have the right to copies of all your lab work and I recommend you obtain them and keep them on file for future reference. Good luck!



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Tig

68yo GT1A - 5 Mil - A2/F3 - (1996) Intron A - Non Responder, (2013) Peg/Riba/Vic SOT:05/23/13 EOT:12/04/13 SVR 9+ years!

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triple6dc2


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I don't think I should of even mentioned the enzyme levels, I think the only reason I did is because when I first started going after diagnosis, the said my enzyme levels were way too high at first. Then they had me coming in every week or two to keep checking them. They also performed an ultrasound of my liver, I think to check for swelling. They were going to do a biopsy after that but they said it wasn't going to be necessary. I'm sorry I can't give enough info, I really don't know much about this at all. I never liked looking into it because I was determined this was going to be the death of me.



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triple6dc2


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I'm really not sure what exactly they tested when I went in, all they did was take a few blood samples like they usually do when I would visit. I'm assuming the viral load was checked as well, I wouldn't see them telling me I was cleared of the virus if they weren't 100% sure.

 



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Tig


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SuziQ brings up a very good point. I assumed when you said you were told that you had cleared the virus that you had the appropriate tests done to determine that. Can you describe the types of tests you had completed and the results? That will really help us determine what information you received. Any info you have is helpful when sharing ideas!



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Tig

68yo GT1A - 5 Mil - A2/F3 - (1996) Intron A - Non Responder, (2013) Peg/Riba/Vic SOT:05/23/13 EOT:12/04/13 SVR 9+ years!

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suziq


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Enzyme levels do not tell the whole story.  Are you sure that your viral load was checked ??  Certainly I hope it was and that you are clear, but my doctor did not check viral load until I requested it.  Your viral load has to be undetectable if you have cleared the virus. 

Let us know--We are rooting for you that you are clear.

SuziQ



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Geno 1A  Age 82 Treatment naive Cirrhotic Told I had liver disease in 1966. Diagnosed as Hep C 1999.Started Merck clinical trial with Riba on 9/9/2013 Week 1 and 2 <25  Weeks 4, 8, 12,16,18 UND.  EOT Jan 14,2014  EOT +12 UND   JULY 1 2014 EOT+24= SVR
Tig


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 Welcome to the forum! I have to admit that you're the first person I've met that cleared the virus after the acute phase. Congratulations are in order on many levels! I'm glad to hear you've beaten your addiction as well. I hope you stick with it and seek assistance if needed. As far as your current alcohol and cannabis use, that's a personal decision and neither as far as I know will have made a bit of difference or had any bearing on your ability to clear the virus. Certainly the use of alcohol in any amount will not be of benefit to anyone with liver disease. I'd be very cautious about its use at all, considering the gift you just received! Here's an article that may help you understand what has happened and the rates it does or doesn't occur. Best of luck to you and lucky you are!

http://depts.washington.edu/hepstudy/hepC/clindx/acute/discussion.html



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Tig

68yo GT1A - 5 Mil - A2/F3 - (1996) Intron A - Non Responder, (2013) Peg/Riba/Vic SOT:05/23/13 EOT:12/04/13 SVR 9+ years!

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triple6dc2


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Hi, I'm new to this forum, but I have questions regarding Hep C. First off, I'm a male, 24 years old. Last year I began using heroin and prescription pain medication. i then started to IV the drugs, which led to me being diagnosed with Hep C (about a year ago from this past October). I regularly visited my doctor to make sure enzyme levels were correct and to make sure I didn't need any treatment right away.

October 2013, I had a check up visit. I had not been in about 6 months, but it was pretty routine stuff they did, just taking blood sample and making sure I was feeling okay. About two weeks after the visit, I received a letter saying I have been cleared of the virus and am no longer infected. This was the best news I could get, it still excites me to know I no longer have the virus. I'm not sure what the chances are of that, but I'm guess its pretty rare. I really didn't do anything out of the ordinary except I kept my drinking to an absolute minimum, and I am a VERY heavy cannabis user.

So my questions are, can the virus come back on its own since I have had it? I am no longer using heroin or other opiates, so I do not do any type of IV'ing. I do drink socially, so thats usually just the weekends. Can I just go back to living life how I did before I was diagnosed? I'm just curious if I need to take any precautions after being cleared. Any help is appreciated, thank you

 

 

 

 

 



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