Please Note: Due to volume considerations, not all questions can be answered. Questions most likely to be answered will be those of general interest to a broad group of visitors to this forum. Questions pertaining to a specific case; requests for diagnosis, medical advice, or second opinion; or requests for opinions about untested alternative therapies will generally not be answered.
|
|
 |  |
 |
 |
Testing at 1 year - necessary?
Jan 3, 2002
Dr. Pavia,
I have read some experts believe in order to be 100 sure one is not infected they must test at 1 year post exposure. I tested negative at 6 months and my 12 month date is fast approaching. What is your recommendation? Test again for re-assurance or is it unnecessary?
|
 |
|
 |
|
Response from Dr. Pavia
Actually being infected after a negative test at 3 months and 6 months is vanishingly, vanishingly rare. It has been documented in the setting of a very high risk exposure to blood where the patient also contracted hepatis C. There may be a second similar case in a health care worker.
Bottom line, testing at 12 months is not necessary except in very unusual circumstances, like transfusion or injection with a significant amount of HIV and hep C positive blood. You could need the test for your psychological health, but it is not really necessary.
Good luck
ATP
|
|
|
 Please remember that this forum is designed for educational purposes only, and experts are not engaged through this
forum in rendering legal or medical advice or professional services. Experts appearing on this page are independent and are solely responsible
for editing and fact-checking their material. Neither The Body nor any sponsor is the publisher or speaker of posted visitors' questions or the experts' material.
Questions and messages posted to this forum are not statements of advice, opinion, or information of The Body, Body Health Resources Corporation or any sponsor of this
forum. While neither The Body nor Body Health Resources Corporation regularly reviews posted content, we reserve the right to delete, move, or
edit postings if we deem it appropriate under the circumstances. Visitors submitting questions remain solely responsible for the content of their
messages.
Information provided by experts is general only and should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or a disease, or relied upon as
legal or other professional advice. This information is not a substitute for professional advice or care. If you have or suspect you may have a
health or legal problem, you should consult your own health care provider or your attorney.
Copyright notice.
|
|
|
|
