Hep C Discussion Forum

Hi Peaches,

Generally the rule is that the Acute phase of the infection, which occurs during the initial 6 months following exposure, is the period of time that your body, if it's able (15-20%) of the time, stops the virus on it's own. Your own immune system is successful at attacking and eliminating the virus. After 6 months the virus goes into the Chronic phase and begins it's attack on your liver and health in general. It can take decades for symptoms to present themselves. Usually the first knowledge that there's a problem is following liver profile blood tests that show elevated enzymes (AST & ALT). That is usually followed by the HCV Antibody test. If that is positive, then they perform the RNA Quantification tests. I know you're aware of that from your post. It's would be very rare indeed to find information where someone cleared the virus after it has entered into the Chronic phase of the infection. 

I'm not aware of anyone experiencing such a clearance, especially after 14 years. Without seeing the tests that were performed by UCSF, I can't say what happened or even if they performed the correct testing. One would think a facility like that would know what they were doing, but mistakes can be made. If you would care to share those test results, please feel free to do so. It's important to provide the exact terminology they use on the results. Do they specifically say HCV RNA Quantification "Undetected" or Negative? There should be something to the effect of <15 IU/ml. Depending on how long ago that test was performed could be pertinent too. Just a couple years ago, the lowest levels of quantification were much higher.

You need to have the RNA viral load quantified again and let us know what those results are. I would request a complete liver panel and CBC at the same time. Good luck.