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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Is It Possible To Have A False Positive On Hep C Screeening Test?

Hello I had a screening test for Hep C a week ago. The test came out positivefor Hep C. My Bilirubin level was alittle high at 1.30 and my ALT was low at 14.0. I have been reffered to another doctor for more testing to confirm that I have hep C, but all of this waiting is driving me crazy. Is it possible to have a false positive on a Hep C screening test? If so what is the likelyhood that I am one?
Mon, 15 Sep 2014
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Pathologist and Microbiologist,  's  Response
Hi!
welcome to HCM!
Yes,it is possible to have a false positive on a Hep C screening test.The initial test is an ELISA, screen. Sometimes antibodies that the immune system has produced for other infections are “cross-reactive”and the ELISA incorrectly comes up positive. Hepatitis C RNA test, is conducted to either confirm or deny the actual presence of an infection.A RNA test accurately diagnoses an infection because it detects evidence of the actual virus in the bloodstream.So you can get it done.Take care!
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Is It Possible To Have A False Positive On Hep C Screeening Test?

Hi! welcome to HCM! Yes,it is possible to have a false positive on a Hep C screening test.The initial test is an ELISA, screen. Sometimes antibodies that the immune system has produced for other infections are “cross-reactive”and the ELISA incorrectly comes up positive. Hepatitis C RNA test, is conducted to either confirm or deny the actual presence of an infection.A RNA test accurately diagnoses an infection because it detects evidence of the actual virus in the bloodstream.So you can get it done.Take care!