Hep C Discussion Forum

No, the platelet level doesn't tell you anything about how you were infected or when. They are a component of your blood that affects blood clotting. Often people with advanced fibrosis, (Cirrhosis) will test with low platelet levels. I'll include a link to some information below. 

There are some cases when you will never know when or how you have been infected. If there is a reason in your past, like an infection passed on from your Mother, a blood transfusion before they tested for it, an unintended contact with infected blood, through IV drug use or through accidental exposure, can all be explanations. If any of these things happened, you can perhaps get close. Usually once exposure has been made, if your own immune system doesn't stop the virus during the 6 month period following that (known as the Acute Phase) the virus then enters into the long term Chronic Phase that requires you to undergo treatment.

https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003647.htm

Hi Mariya,

There are several factors involved in that. The things that come to mind are, genotype, lifestyle (alcohol, drug use) and years infected. HCV typically progresses slowly, so when or if you ever progress to F4 depends on several individual factors. Luck of the draw comes into play as well. I know some people that have gone 40 years with minimal fibrosis, but others that have progressed to ESLD (End Stage Liver Disease) in half that time. The only way to monitor it is a baseline determination and then scheduled testing as determined by your liver specialist. During the time between F1 and F4, you have to treat yourself the best way possible, through good lifestyle choices and by following proper medical advice.