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Hep C Discussion Forum -> Post Treatment -> Will we still test Positive after SVR?
Post Info TOPIC: Will we still test Positive after SVR?
kiwi


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RE: Will we still test Positive after SVR?
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thanks for this info. been scared to even read this 'post treatment' section, till now coz im nearly finished.

ive had people say ''you can never really get rid of it'' once you have it you have it for life. this makes sense about the antibodies showing up and how we test positive, but dont have the virus... i needed something to explain it and this is great. thanks...

so heres lookin to svr eh.... wow...



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kiwi. genotype 1. started pegasus and riba on 10 nov. VL 17.6 million. (4 weeks VL 1368)  week 15 UNDETECTED... :)
Judy S


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Oh, OK!  Thank you for clarifying, Lanai.  That means that you are UND at 5 weeks post.  That makes much more sense.  You will still test Positive for the Hep C virus because you have the antibodies, as do we all.  I have not yet heard of anyone who finished tx and actually tested Negative for Hep C at any point afterwards.  Has anybody?



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Geno 1a; VL 4.7 million in Feb 2012. Started PegIntron & Ribavirin 3-9-12. Added Victrelis 4-6-12. UND since Week 8. Stopped tx Wk 23. UND 4 Wks post-tx. Relapsed 12-weeks-post.

52 y/o F, started Epclusa 11-10-19, F0/F1.  EOT 2-1-2020. UND. All liver function tests normal.
LanaiSurferGirl


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I got a Qualitative test 5 weeks post treatment that tested negative, not the riba or elisa just to confirm! :)

aloha,

Meghan



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geno 1a, mother & brother also hep c +...mom got a blood transfusion and passed it along.  Started tx with incivik 11/23/11 and brother started 2/8/2012.  Both of us und. at 4,8,12 and me at 24.  I am going 36 wks and brother is going 48 weeks.
mallani


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Hi Daook, you will see from the other posts that SVR (Sustained Virological Response) only applies to an undetected VL 24 weeks after Rx. From your previous post, your VL dropped from 14million to 64 in 22 days ( after starting Rx ? with Incivek). Then after 6 weeks, your VL is Detected but not quantifiable. Depending on which Lab. test you use, this may read as <43 Detected, or whatever sensitivity your lab. uses. Ideally, you should be Undet. at 8 weeks (on Incivek) or 12 weeks (on Victrelis). Good luck for the next one!



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Geno 1b, IL28B CT,  x3 prior relapser,  ex-cirrhotic, 75 yo, did 48 weeks with Victrelis/Peg./Riba.  VL 1.28m at start, UNDET. at 8 ,12 ,16 ,24 ,30  and 48 weeks.  EOT 15 Feb 2013 , UNDET. at EOT + 28 weeks. SVR!  Still Undet. at EOT +5 years

Malcolm
Judy S


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Daook, are you still undergoing treatment?  Are you 6 weeks post-tx or 6 weeks into tx?  We get tested for VL a few times after we finish tx.  Usually at 4 wks post, 3 months post, and 6 months post.  If all of those VL tests come back UND, then the 6-month UND one means you have attained SVR.  AKA, cure.



__________________

Geno 1a; VL 4.7 million in Feb 2012. Started PegIntron & Ribavirin 3-9-12. Added Victrelis 4-6-12. UND since Week 8. Stopped tx Wk 23. UND 4 Wks post-tx. Relapsed 12-weeks-post.

52 y/o F, started Epclusa 11-10-19, F0/F1.  EOT 2-1-2020. UND. All liver function tests normal.
cmerduran


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Daook wrote:
 I got my 6 week results back last week and the Dr. said I was detectable but VL not measureable. Is that what you mean by SVR in the above post? Thanks in advance- :)

 

 SVR: Undetectable HCV viral load test 24 weeks after completing a successful course of HCV treatment.



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Murat
28.07.12: HCV-RNA +, VL:7.1m, 1b
02.08.12: incivo-riba-pegasys started
24.07.13: HCV-RNA: WEEK 3, 12, 24, 36, 50 UND(SVR!!)
*all men have fears but the brave, put down their fears and go forward... sometimes to death, but always to victory.
Daook


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mallani wrote:

Hi Judy, The test for HCV Antibodies is called  the ELISA or RIBA test. If you have had HCV, this will test +ve for antibodies for the rest of your life. The HCV RNA test is quantitative, and measures the VL. If you achieve SVR, the Antibody test is +ve, but the VL is Undetected. You cannot infect anybody.

Mallini, I got my 6 week results back last week and the Dr. said I was detectable but VL not measureable. Is that what you mean by SVR in the above post? Thanks in advance- :)

 



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Geno 1a, second time around, stable viral load since 1973, timing is right for new therapy
cmerduran


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Booster means re-vaccination ?

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Murat
28.07.12: HCV-RNA +, VL:7.1m, 1b
02.08.12: incivo-riba-pegasys started
24.07.13: HCV-RNA: WEEK 3, 12, 24, 36, 50 UND(SVR!!)
*all men have fears but the brave, put down their fears and go forward... sometimes to death, but always to victory.
mallani


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Hi Murat, I received the HBV surface antigen vaccination in 1988. I had the 3 vaccinations and was tested 6 months later, when I was +ve for HBVsAg.( only 80% are). This protection gradually expires over time. After 20 years a booster is required. My Rx was fairly urgent and I was not prepared to wait for another course of vaccinations but I will get a full revaccination for both HBV and HAV after Rx.



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Geno 1b, IL28B CT,  x3 prior relapser,  ex-cirrhotic, 75 yo, did 48 weeks with Victrelis/Peg./Riba.  VL 1.28m at start, UNDET. at 8 ,12 ,16 ,24 ,30  and 48 weeks.  EOT 15 Feb 2013 , UNDET. at EOT + 28 weeks. SVR!  Still Undet. at EOT +5 years

Malcolm
cmerduran


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mallani wrote:

There is a difference between naturally occurring antibodies and those acquired through passive vaccination. Like Tim, I was vaccinated for HBV 20 years ago. My Anti-B test before Rx was -ve. Sometimes the vaccine doesn't work.

          Absolutely, hep b vaccination never guarantee %100 protection... It is around %95 and this percentage decreasing in years..

          Maybe you could have hep b vaccination last week... if you have heavy hep b viral infection today (blood transportation or something like that) then vaccination may wont be enough to protect your body. 



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Murat
28.07.12: HCV-RNA +, VL:7.1m, 1b
02.08.12: incivo-riba-pegasys started
24.07.13: HCV-RNA: WEEK 3, 12, 24, 36, 50 UND(SVR!!)
*all men have fears but the brave, put down their fears and go forward... sometimes to death, but always to victory.
mallani


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There is a difference between naturally occurring antibodies and those acquired through passive vaccination. Like Tim, I was vaccinated for HBV 20 years ago. My Anti-B test before Rx was -ve. Sometimes the vaccine doesn't work.



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Geno 1b, IL28B CT,  x3 prior relapser,  ex-cirrhotic, 75 yo, did 48 weeks with Victrelis/Peg./Riba.  VL 1.28m at start, UNDET. at 8 ,12 ,16 ,24 ,30  and 48 weeks.  EOT 15 Feb 2013 , UNDET. at EOT + 28 weeks. SVR!  Still Undet. at EOT +5 years

Malcolm
JoAnneh


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I know several recovering addicts
That have Hep C but zero VL even after being sober over 25 years. Their body has the natural antibody to fight it. They test positive but will never get the virus.
Even know addicts since using that do not have hep c because they have natural antibody.
20 percent of ppl exposed do not ever have VL meaning it never becomes active virus.
Too bad we were not in that percentage! Oh well can't dwell on things we can't change....and get busy
Trying to beat this disease. I am so glad to have chance of beating it.
I will say 48 weeks seems too much for me, so I will take it day by day and not get ahead of myself.
I am week 19 of 48!
Live the forum, JoAnne


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JoAnne

Genotype 1a, Triple therapy w/Invicek started May 19, 2012

DET 4 wk. UND 2,6,12,24 48 treatment. Achieved SVR 2013!
Phil G


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I had a Hep A vaccine series in 2001. The antibodies for Hep A have always been negative. They did the antibodies test at 12-weeks post (lab confusion). As expected, positive for HEP C.



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Geno 1A, VL 1.9 mm, SOT 12/2/11 - Pegintron/Ribavirin/Victrelis, UND since wk 8, EOT 6/15/12 (28 wks), SVR 11/30/12
nohcvforme


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And to be honest, if I needed blood, I'd probably rather not have any of ours- myself included.

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nohcvforme


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I did the A and B series while on treatment!

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Judy S


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When we are vaccinated, it is to develop antibodies to provide immunity.  So when antibodies are found in a blood test, perhaps they can't distinguish if it's from a vaccine or from exposure or from chronic illness. 

My dr would not allow me to begin tx until I completed all 3 TwinRix injections for Hep A and Hep B.  She said it was standard for all of her patients.  Took 6 months to complete all 3 injections (spaced apart), then I was able to begin tx.



__________________

Geno 1a; VL 4.7 million in Feb 2012. Started PegIntron & Ribavirin 3-9-12. Added Victrelis 4-6-12. UND since Week 8. Stopped tx Wk 23. UND 4 Wks post-tx. Relapsed 12-weeks-post.

52 y/o F, started Epclusa 11-10-19, F0/F1.  EOT 2-1-2020. UND. All liver function tests normal.
hrsetrdr


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Judy S wrote:

Thank you guys for your input!  I have read different things about the antibodies that we all have.  (The warriors; Anti-HCV.)  I've read that we keep the antibodies for the rest of our lives, like Mallani stated.  I have also read that some keep the antibodies for a few years, then they go away, like cmerduran stated.  I wonder, do we still have the antibodies for Chicken Pox, or the various flus that we've had?  I mean, whenever we are exposed to some virus, our bodies form antibodies to try and fight it off.  Those stay with us.  Some are able to fight off Hepatitis, and for others it becomes a chronic illness, like for us all.  The question is, How Long do the antibodies stay with us after SVR? 

If the antibodies are in our system, we will test Positive for Hep C (even though we are UND and no virus left).  If the antibodies have left our system after some years, we will test Negative for Hep C.  Does everyone agree?

Kind of like with the TB tests.  If someone's been exposed, they carry the antibodies for it and they will test Positive for TB.  Doesn't mean they have it.

 FWIW, around 1996 I had gotten the Hep B vaccination(good practice-working Maintenance in jails);   fast forward 16 years- when I was to start tx for HCV they checked me for hep A & B antibodies and ended up doing vaccinations for both A&B.      gen068.gif



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"hrsetrdr"=Tim

Treatment halted on Aug.8,2012 due to vision problem.  6 month post tx labs

Aug.2013 SVR

Be strong when you are weak, brave when you are scared, and humble when you are victorious.
- Unknown

 

 
Judy S


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It threw me when Lanai said she tested Negative for Hep C at 5 weeks post-tx.  That's why I was wondering; is it possible?

You guys know all Baby Boomers are urged to get tested for Hep C virus.  So say that Lanai just walked in to a testing sight, never mentioning that she had Hep C and was treated.  Would she actually test Negative?  That's what I was wondering about.  For if that is so, that would mean the antibodies have left her system. 



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Geno 1a; VL 4.7 million in Feb 2012. Started PegIntron & Ribavirin 3-9-12. Added Victrelis 4-6-12. UND since Week 8. Stopped tx Wk 23. UND 4 Wks post-tx. Relapsed 12-weeks-post.

52 y/o F, started Epclusa 11-10-19, F0/F1.  EOT 2-1-2020. UND. All liver function tests normal.
Judy S


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Thank you guys for your input!  I have read different things about the antibodies that we all have.  (The warriors; Anti-HCV.)  I've read that we keep the antibodies for the rest of our lives, like Mallani stated.  I have also read that some keep the antibodies for a few years, then they go away, like cmerduran stated.  I wonder, do we still have the antibodies for Chicken Pox, or the various flus that we've had?  I mean, whenever we are exposed to some virus, our bodies form antibodies to try and fight it off.  Those stay with us.  Some are able to fight off Hepatitis, and for others it becomes a chronic illness, like for us all.  The question is, How Long do the antibodies stay with us after SVR? 

If the antibodies are in our system, we will test Positive for Hep C (even though we are UND and no virus left).  If the antibodies have left our system after some years, we will test Negative for Hep C.  Does everyone agree?

Kind of like with the TB tests.  If someone's been exposed, they carry the antibodies for it and they will test Positive for TB.  Doesn't mean they have it.

So cmerduran is correct......scientifically there is no problem with donating our blood if we are SVR.  We no longer have Hep C and therefore cannot pass it along.  But we have the antibodies and so will test Positive for Hep C (ELISA test or RIBA) and when they see that, they no longer want your blood.  Makes sense.  Everything about this virus is a bit confusing.



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Geno 1a; VL 4.7 million in Feb 2012. Started PegIntron & Ribavirin 3-9-12. Added Victrelis 4-6-12. UND since Week 8. Stopped tx Wk 23. UND 4 Wks post-tx. Relapsed 12-weeks-post.

52 y/o F, started Epclusa 11-10-19, F0/F1.  EOT 2-1-2020. UND. All liver function tests normal.
DD


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Great questions with the correct answers. This is one good reason to coninue for at least 5 years getting test for Quant. Personally I would ask to be tested every six months minium even after reaching 6 mo SVR. If there is one virus it can reproduce.


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DD
cmerduran


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Judy S wrote:

can we ever donate blood after SVR?

In Turkey, when you go to donate blood if your anti-hcv is positive, you can't donate your blood, this comes ridicilous at first but they have to be sure if you are carrier or not and hcv-rna is expensive and specific test.

I can answer this question that way:

scientificaly there is no problem to donate blood, if Anti-hcv positive but hcv-rna negative

officially (hospitals, donate blood) you can't donate blood if anti-hcv positive but hcv-rna negative



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Murat
28.07.12: HCV-RNA +, VL:7.1m, 1b
02.08.12: incivo-riba-pegasys started
24.07.13: HCV-RNA: WEEK 3, 12, 24, 36, 50 UND(SVR!!)
*all men have fears but the brave, put down their fears and go forward... sometimes to death, but always to victory.
cmerduran


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Anti-HCV results can be positive sometimes upto 10 years after SVR, but this is not problem.

Anti-hcv positive means your body produces warriors against hepatitis c virus to protect your body. Only HCV-RNA (concentration of HCV at blood) tests can determine if you are HCV carrier or not...


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Murat
28.07.12: HCV-RNA +, VL:7.1m, 1b
02.08.12: incivo-riba-pegasys started
24.07.13: HCV-RNA: WEEK 3, 12, 24, 36, 50 UND(SVR!!)
*all men have fears but the brave, put down their fears and go forward... sometimes to death, but always to victory.
Judy S


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That's what I thought exactly.  Thank you for confirming, Mallani.  Funny that it's also called a RIBA test, lol.  I know we can't pass it on if we achieve SVR, for the Quantitative will always show UND.

I was wondering about Lanai, as she tested Neg at 5 weeks post-tx.  To my understanding the "Hep C test" is the test given to determine if you have Hep C or not.   That would be the ELISA test.  That confused me, so I was asking her if she actually tested Negative, or did she mean that she is UND at 5 weeks post-tx.



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Geno 1a; VL 4.7 million in Feb 2012. Started PegIntron & Ribavirin 3-9-12. Added Victrelis 4-6-12. UND since Week 8. Stopped tx Wk 23. UND 4 Wks post-tx. Relapsed 12-weeks-post.

52 y/o F, started Epclusa 11-10-19, F0/F1.  EOT 2-1-2020. UND. All liver function tests normal.
mallani


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Hi Judy, The test for HCV Antibodies is called  the ELISA or RIBA test. If you have had HCV, this will test +ve for antibodies for the rest of your life. The HCV RNA test is quantitative, and measures the VL. If you achieve SVR, the Antibody test is +ve, but the VL is Undetected. You cannot infect anybody.



__________________

Geno 1b, IL28B CT,  x3 prior relapser,  ex-cirrhotic, 75 yo, did 48 weeks with Victrelis/Peg./Riba.  VL 1.28m at start, UNDET. at 8 ,12 ,16 ,24 ,30  and 48 weeks.  EOT 15 Feb 2013 , UNDET. at EOT + 28 weeks. SVR!  Still Undet. at EOT +5 years

Malcolm
Judy S


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I know you can't pass on the antibodies.  If you have no virus left in your system, then you can't pass it on. 



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Geno 1a; VL 4.7 million in Feb 2012. Started PegIntron & Ribavirin 3-9-12. Added Victrelis 4-6-12. UND since Week 8. Stopped tx Wk 23. UND 4 Wks post-tx. Relapsed 12-weeks-post.

52 y/o F, started Epclusa 11-10-19, F0/F1.  EOT 2-1-2020. UND. All liver function tests normal.
libgirl07


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can you still give it to someone?

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Genotype 1a

1/18/13 -  VL 1.5mil triple therapy with boceprevir

2/3/14 - relapsed. 1.7ml

 

6/28/14 - started solvadi interferon and ribavirin for 12 weeks

7/28/14 - week 4 undetected dosage reduction of rib and peg

 

11/2/14 und 4 weeks post eot

 

g

 
Judy S


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Lanai, did you get the Antibody test and tested neg on that?  Or do you mean that your Quantitative test (viral load) showed UND?  I'm wondering about the test that checks for Hep C....the way we were all told that we have it. 



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Geno 1a; VL 4.7 million in Feb 2012. Started PegIntron & Ribavirin 3-9-12. Added Victrelis 4-6-12. UND since Week 8. Stopped tx Wk 23. UND 4 Wks post-tx. Relapsed 12-weeks-post.

52 y/o F, started Epclusa 11-10-19, F0/F1.  EOT 2-1-2020. UND. All liver function tests normal.
LanaiSurferGirl


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I didn't ask about donating blood but I tested negative for it a few weeks ago at 5 weeks post treatment :)



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geno 1a, mother & brother also hep c +...mom got a blood transfusion and passed it along.  Started tx with incivik 11/23/11 and brother started 2/8/2012.  Both of us und. at 4,8,12 and me at 24.  I am going 36 wks and brother is going 48 weeks.
nohcvforme


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I was told that we will still test positive, and never to donate blood (they would reject it anyway when it tested positive).

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Judy S


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After attaining SVR, I imagine we will still test Positive for Hep C due to the antibodies that stay in our system.  Is that correct?  So when looking for a new job (I'm in the health-care industry) I suppose I should mention that I went through tx, yes?  I'm so far UND post-tx but won't know if I've attained SVR until Feb 2013.  Just trying to prepare and educate myself further.  Also, can we ever donate blood after SVR?



__________________

Geno 1a; VL 4.7 million in Feb 2012. Started PegIntron & Ribavirin 3-9-12. Added Victrelis 4-6-12. UND since Week 8. Stopped tx Wk 23. UND 4 Wks post-tx. Relapsed 12-weeks-post.

52 y/o F, started Epclusa 11-10-19, F0/F1.  EOT 2-1-2020. UND. All liver function tests normal.
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