Can someone help explain the hepatitis C RNA test?

Hello
My fiance has hepatitis C. I got tested for hepatitis c and it came back negative. That was the antibody test.

-To be sure since the antibody test has a window period, my fiance had me get the RNA test.

-how much more accurate is this test?
-What is the likelihood that I could have contracted hepatitis C from her and it not show on the HCV antibody test?

*note we do not share needles or do drugs, we just sleep with each other.

Simply put, you do not have hcv! (not to mention it's rather difficult to acquire sexually since there has to always be blood present and infectious blood to bloodstream has to take place).

Antibody test is used to see if you have hcv markers (been exposed)
Quantitative tests can detect the presense of active HCV viral load...if there was no viral load- even as early as two weeks after exposure, I highly doubt you have hcv infection.

The proof that hcv is not an std is in your test results. Relax and take a deep breath....

As for the acuracy of the test, neither is really better than the other since they both serve as testing for different reasons for the same disease. Usually if the antibody test is negative, a person would normally wait until about day 50 to retest and skip the RNA testing, unless you are high risk, ie, nurse, doctor, emt....drug user etc...

Unlike antibody tests, HCV RNA tests directly measure for the presence of the hepatitis C virus.

The HCV RNA test will be positive in as little as 1 to 2 weeks after exposure.

A positive HCV RNA test means a person has hepatitis C infection.

Hepatitis C is spread by exposure to HCV-infected blood. To avoid spreading hepatitis C, you should minimize these types of exposures.

Don't share any instrument that can carry blood on it, such as toothbrushes, nail clippers, razors, etc.

If you have any cuts or open wounds, treat them immediately and cover them with the appropriate type of bandage. If you get cut with any household instrument such as a knife or can opener, treat the cut and sterilize the instrument (by boiling it in water) before using it again.

for further queries follow this website:

http://www.allabouthepatitisc.com

Stephanie is correct -

You don't have it - and you shouldn't really worry about it that much. I was with my ex wife for 7 years when I had it and she never got it from me. Just be sanitary with your household items that can get blood on them mainly kitchen knives, sharp tools, shaving razors, and toothbrushes. Otherwise unless you and your fiance are into rough sex, you don't really have much to worry about.

Don't make it a big deal, all that will do is cause strife in your marriage - it caused my divorce, which was so STUPID because I did the treatment and now I don't have it anymore. Your fiance can get rid of it, so get her on the treatment as soon as possible, be supportive and eventually you won't even have to think about it.

Honestly, this really is not worth your time to obsess over. Move forward and help her get well, it will all work out if you accept the current situation and work to make it better.