A reactive or positive antibody test means you have been infected with the hepatitis C virus at some point in time. Once people have been infected, they will always have antibodies in their blood . This is true if they have cleared the virus, have been cured, or still have the virus in their blood.
Do hep C antibodies ever go away?
HCV antibodies can persist up to 20 years after resolution of clinical infection , suggesting that the virus and its antigens may persist, but at extremely low levels.
Do you still test positive for hep C after treatment?
After a successful course of treatment for hepatitis C, the hepatitis C antibody remains detectable , but the hepatitis C RNA will be undetectable. If you plan to donate blood, you will be tested for the hepatitis C antibody and will be turned away even if you do not have an active infection.
Can Hep C come back after treatment?
It's possible, but rare , for hepatitis C infection to reappear after apparently successful treatment. Relapses usually occur in the first few months after blood testing to confirm that the virus is no longer detectable. Sometimes, however, a relapse becomes evident much later.
What happens after hep C is cured?
Here's an amazing fact: Once you're cured of Hepatitis C, liver damage stops . And over time (different for everyone, but possibly five years or more), your liver can heal itself through regeneration. That's right, the thing grows back!
Is Hep C contagious after cure?
Summary: Patients with chronic hepatitis C that has been resolved through therapy or immune response may still be able to infect others with the virus . Patients with chronic hepatitis C that has been resolved through therapy or immune response may still be able to infect others with the virus.
Can you donate blood after being cured of Hep C?
No, you cannot donate blood if you ever had hepatitis C , even if you spontaneously cleared the virus or if you were successfully cured with medication.
Can Hep C be cured completely?
Years ago, hep C treatments took a long time and required injections. Today's treatments are all oral and can be completed in as few as 8–24 weeks . Additionally, many of today's treatments have high cure rates of 95% or higher.
How do you know if your Hep C is getting worse?
- Easy bleeding or bruising.
- Persistent or recurring yellowing of your skin and eyes (jaundice)
- Intense itching.
- Abdominal pain.
- Loss of appetite.
- Nausea.
- Swelling due to fluid buildup in your abdomen and legs.
- Problems with concentration and memory.
Can you drink alcohol after being cured of Hep C?
It is not recommended that you drink alcohol after hepatitis C treatment . Although you may be cured of the virus, liver damage can persist for years after treatment.
How long can a person live after being diagnosed with Hep C?
People with hepatitis C can live many years after diagnosis , but the range varies. A 2014 study showed that patients infected with hepatitis C virus died on average 15 years sooner than people who did not have the illness. With hepatitis C, the liver becomes seriously damaged due to inflammation.
Can Hep C go into remission?
The virus spreads mainly through intravenous drug use. Untreated hepatitis C can lead to serious liver problems, including cirrhosis and cancer. The good news is that the virus can go into remission with the right treatment . Doctors refer to remission as a sustained virological response (SVR).
Is Hep C treatment like chemo?
The chemotherapy that you'd get for cancer isn't used to treat hepatitis C . But Bacon says hepatitis C treatment can have side effects “that are akin to what patients experience when they receive cancer chemotherapy.” That includes temporary hair loss.
How long after hep C treatment will I feel better?
If you experience symptoms of hepatitis C (and many people don't), it may take a few weeks or months after you finish your treatment to feel better — if you notice any changes at all.
Can Hep C be transmitted through saliva?
Hepatitis C is not spread by sharing eating utensils, breastfeeding, hugging, kissing, holding hands, coughing, or sneezing. It is also not spread through food or water.
Is hep C an STD?
Which hepatitis is an STD? Hepatitis C: The Hepatitis C virus may be transmitted via sexual contact . However, studies have shown that such transmission is very rare. Hepatitis A, B, and C can be sexually transmitted.
