what is a fourth generation anti-hcv immunoassay?
546241
It's a way of testing for and measuring Hepatitis C in the blood. The lab tests available have become better over the years, and each successive test is termed the next "generation".\n\nELISA stands for enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. You start with an antibody directed against Hep C, and bind it to a well in a plate. You can then add the patients serum, remove the excess, and wash well. If the Hep C antigen was present in the serum, it's now attached to the plate via the antibody. You next add another antibody specific for Hep C which has a covalently attached enzyme (commonly beta galactosidase). If the Hep C antigen is present, the new antibody will bind as well. After washing out unbound antibody, a chemical is added (such as X-gal) which changes color if the enzyme linked antibody is present. This color change signifies the presence of the Hep C antigen in the original serum.
458088
Interferon is a treatment for Hep C\n\nThe combination of Ribavirin and Peg-intron "a form of Interferon" has a high success rate with Hep C.  Unfortunately a person will always test positive and will always be infectious even after a successful treatment of the above.  There is no "cure". But with a successful treatment Hep C will not harm your liver.\n\n\nSCH 503034 is in the testing stages.
323120
The best way to see how infected you are is have a liver biopsy, there are specialists that deal with hep c. You control it or it can end up controlling you (your health)\n\nMAKE SURE YOU GET hep A & B shots and boosters because you sure wouldn't want one of those along with C\n\nAlcohol is the worst thing if you have C  :example for each beer you have it is like have 6 of them to your liver
343162
http://www.garynull.com/Documents/DrWald/HepatitisCPart2.htm\nhttp://www.hcvets.com/data/hcv_liver/neuropathy.htm\n\nCheck these sites out..They had way too much info to post here. Hope this helps.
467445
I don't think so. You aren't allowed to have any type of permanent blood-borne disease, so I would think that hepatitis C would DQ someone. You don't want medics afraid to do thier work on the battlefield because of fear of HIV/hepC ect, and likewise you don't want to worry about that medic having those diseases either.
51348
Following up with your physician is important.  Next steps will also depend upon the outcome of your therapy.  Typically, physicians will look at your HCV RNA 6 months after completing therapy to determine if you have cleared the virus (achieved an SVR or sustained virologic response).\n\nIf you have an SVR - congratulations!  \n\nIf you do not, then you will have to talk with you doctor about retreatment or waiting for a clinical trial for non-responders.\n\nHaving HCV Genotype 1 or 4 makes the virus more difficult to eradicate (and therefore ususally require longer therapy)\n\nHCV genotype 2 or 3 is usually easier to treat and easier to clear (usually only 6 months of PegIFN and Ribavirin is required.  Although, sometimes with HCV Genotype 3a there can be fat deposits in the liver making it more difficult to treat).\n\nBest of luck on clearning the virus and achieving an SVR!
256727
Here is a little information on it. Take it very seriously. \n\nHepatitis C, formerly called non-A, non-B hepatitis, is also transmitted by contaminated blood transfusions and by sharing of needles among drug abusers, although in many cases no source can be identified. It is the most common form of chronic liver disease in the United States. Many of those infected have no symptoms but become carriers, and the virus may eventually cause liver damage. Blood banks routinely screen for hepatitis C. Alpha-interferon is used also to treat hepatitis C, in combination with the drug ribavirin.
1021122
The C is for the overal consentration of the protein.  Like BAC(blood alcohol content)  it is looking for how much of something is in another.\n\nIt is not a new test, but it is a test in the news. CRP, also known as C-Reactive Protein, is a test which measures the concentration in blood serum of a special type of protein produced in the liver that is present during episodes of acute inflammation or infection. In the body, CRP plays the important role of interacting with the complement system, an immunologic defense mechanism.\n\nIt's value is as a general indicator, not specific.\n\nIt must be noted that even in known cases of inflammatory disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, a low CRP level is possible, and is not indicative of no inflammation.\n\nNormally there is no CRP in blood serum. From Lab Tests Online, "a high or increasing amount of CRP in your blood suggests that you have an acute infection or inflammation. Although a result above 1 mg/dL is usually considered high for CRP, most infections and inflammations result in CRP levels above 10 mg/dL".\n\nA positive CRP may be an indicator of several conditions, including:\n\nrheumatoid arthritis \nrheumatic fever \ncancer \ntuberculosis \npneumonia \nheart attack \nlupus\n\nA positive CRP also can be detected during the last half of pregnancy or with the use of oral contraception.\n\nSedimentation Rate\n\nAnother blood test often ordered in conjunction with CRP is known as ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate or sedrate). Both CRP and ESR give similar information about non-specific inflammation. CRP appears and disappears more quickly than changes in ESR. Therefore, your CRP level may drop to normal following successful treatment, whereas ESR may remain elevated for a longer period.\n\nMost recently, CRP has made headlines as it relates to heart disease. New studies indicate CRP may be elevated in heart attacks. It is yet to be determined if CRP serves as a marker of heart disease or whether it plays a part in causing atherosclerotic disease (hardening of the arteries).\n\nThere is also a high sensitivity CRP test (hs-CRP) in addition to the regular CRP test. The hs-CRP measures very low amounts of CRP in the blood and is typically used to assess risk for heart problems.\n\nAs a blood test, CRP is not specific. A high result serves as a general indication of acute inflammation. In cases of inflammatory rheumatic diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, doctors can utilize the CRP test to assess the effectiveness of a specific arthritis treatment and monitor periods of disease flareup.
757291
Liver functions & liver enzymes can be in the normal range even when you have Hep C. 40% of people with HCV have enzymes in the normal range. If I were you, I would redo the hepatitis screening test. It should be either "reactive" or "non-reactive"; if it is non-reactive, then you have not been exposed. If it is reactive, then you will need another test to determine if you have chronic, active hep c. That test is the HCV PCR RNA. If that one comes back detecting any number , then that means you have Hep C. Best wishes to you.
995954
According to this fact sheet it will be 12-18 months before you can tell whether the child is infected because of the mother's antibodies. Mother to child transmission of HCV is very low as long as the mother is not also HIV+.\n\nYou will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to open this PDF file.\n\nhttp://www.hcvadvocate.org/hepatitis/factsheets_pdf/Mother%20to%20Child.pdf\n\nhttp://www.perinatology.com/exposures/Infection/HepatitisC.htm
283841
I am not familiar with the area, but a local county health unit would probably be your best bet.  Your family MD may also have the ability to do the test.  \n\nA very small amount of the solution is injected into your arm and you will have to return 2-3 days later to have the results "read"(how your injection site reacts to the solution).
681280
I'm not 100% sure, but I think it only checks enzymes...a different blood test is performed to diagnose hepatitis.
1045396
Is your titre for Hep B antibody or antigen?\n\nThe immunisation programme for Hep B consists of a course of three doses of vaccine, the first dose is followed four weeks later by the second; the third dose is given five months later. \n\nA blood test should be taken approximately three months after the third injection to estimate the antibody titre (the response to the vaccine). If the titre is not high enough a booster dose will be needed, followed by a second blood test after a three month interval. A percentage of the population will not produce immunity, they are classed as ‘vaccine non-responders’.\n\nThe titre is the concentration of the Hepatitis B surface antibody. If your Hep B antibody test is negative then you must have a Hepatitis B antigen titer(Ag HBs).\n\nA Hep B surface antibody of >10 should be sufficient to provide immunity (ie. you are protected).
1121951
http://www.accessexcellence.org/AE/AEPC/WWC/1993/serial.html\n\n\nhttp://www.bio.umass.edu/micro/immunology/elisa/serial.htm
188085
If you have not put yourself at risk for HIV since August 2005 when you received your last Elisa test, then you are negative.\n\nIf you have not put yourself at risk for Hepatitis since March of 2005 - then you are also negative.\n\nIf you have put yourself at risk for any of these infections since then, you should consider another test.  \n\nBlood, semen, vaginal fluids and breastmilk transmit HIV\nBlood, semen and vaginal fluids can transmit Hepatitis B\nBlood transmits Hepatitis C.
855672
Definitive diagnosis of Hepatitis is through blood examination. Not all who gets yellowish or jaundice is Hepatitis B, it can be Hepatitis A or C. There is even Hepatitis E. \n   The antibody & the antigen, as well as the titer should be taken.  Be sure to go to a reliable laboratory. I had seen 2 cases of Hepatitis B, with 2 results, one positive & the other negative in 2 patients.  I asked for a 3rd opinion i the most reliable hospital. Take note the 2 are well known hospitals.
811059
It could be a combo test to detect antibodies to HIV1+2. The other option is a follow up confirmation test to rule out any kind of cross reaction in the first test. None HIV screening test is 100%.\n\nTo the blood stain gloves on the technicians : I can not believe that the gloves were blood stained before he stuck you. If so please inform his boss asap. and make a report. \nHopefully the blood was from you.