Question: I had a relationship with a female that after the fact I found out was very premiscous. This had me upset about stds. Got screened all neg. one morning when together I used her toothbrush by accident thinking it was mine. Now I'm stressed about hep c. I do not know her status. At 6 weeks after our last sexual encounter and 8-9 weeks after toothbrush incident I started having a slight discomfort in my right abdomin. It ranges in location from under the bottom of the rib cage to a couple time higher up on right side towards chest. It even ached towards bottom of abdomin few times between bottom ribs and hip. This discomfort comes and goes through out the day. Im not positive but sometimes it seems it's present more in seated position. A week after it started, 7 weeks post sex and 9-10 after toothbrush, had antibody test for hcv negative. I since had a cat scan done which which was normal. At 9 weeks post,and 11-12 weeks after toothbrush I had another test done which was negative. As for my health history I am in good health. Had my Gaul bladder taken out last year and use cholesterol meds. I also have been vaccinated for hep a and b. my questions are as follows: 1-could this be hep c? 2-most places say 6 months for conclusive tests which includes people with compromised immune systems, what would you consider conclusive? 3-would the pain of hep c come and go or would it be very constant until resolving it self? 4-could bring under extreme stress and getting anxiety over this cause it? 5-what could it be if not hep c? 6-when have you noticed that most people show + when contracting? 7-have you ever seen anyone turn + when neg at my testing timeframe? And what the latest you seen someone seroconvert? Thanks for your prompt reply to all my questions doctor.

Thanks for your reply doctor. The pain I have Is kinda dull and achy. It seems to disappear for like 10 mins and comes back for a little. Disappears for like 20-40 mins and comes back. It also seems to come and stay more often when sitting. I work in a car 6-7 hours a day and thats when it seems to be at its worst. When I wake up some mornings it seems to be gone and then once I get up and move around it will start to come. Also doctor sometimes I won't be feeling it and bend over to pick something up off the floor and feel it.

1-Also when would you say most people show + with antibody test?
2-would the pain be in same spot with hep c or can it move around like I have where sometimes its low ribs sometimes up high towards underarm sometimes high and towards center of middle abdomin?
3-what are your thoughts on the addditonal info I just shared?

Thanks doctor.

Ok doctor thanks for the reply. One last question. I read that most would turn + on antibody tests if symptoms were present do you find this to be true? Both tests I had around 9 to 10 and 11 to 12 weeks the pain I felt was already present. The first test I had the discomfort on and off for about a week. Your thoughts?