Do I have hepatitis c?

8 years ago i was tested for hepatitis c, it came back postive, and I got my set of 3 Hep B shots and was sent on my way, not other treatmnet was ever given or offered, I have always felt fine, never been sick,

my question is would I even have it, or is it the think where I could of had it and it was just the antibody that came up positive??

this Dr has retired over 4 years ago.

In 90% of the cases, most people with Hep C have no symptoms. A few weeks after contracting the disease a person may have flu like symptoms, but that's about it. If you take care of yourself, don't drink alcohol, and stay away from hard drugs, anything that will damage your liver, you may never have to have treatment. People that have had the disease for many years still don't have sypmtoms except fatigue. It is possible that you had acute hep C. In these cases, the immune system gets rid of the virus itself in about 6 weeks. It only happens in about 15 out of 100 people that contract it. Most have the chronic type of hep C which lasts for life. The treatment of interferon and ribivarin can reduce a persons viral load to 0 and heal the liver if it has not been damaged too much. However, the treatment is not a cure like some people think. The virus never leaves the body. The disease can come back if the person goes through extreme stress or severe illness. I have met some people in our group sessions that have had a 0 viral load for 3 to 7 years and now the hep. has reappeared. There are over 5 million people in this country alone that have Hep C and don't even know it. It's called a silent disease. You should also have the vaccine for Hep A. Talk to a doctor to find out if you have the disease. You can live an otherwise long and healthy life when you have hep C and you don't have to have the treatments unless you want to.

There are about 20% of those who are exposed to the virus who go on to clear it through their own body's immune system. The only way to know this is to have a viral load test, also called a PCR. If the PCR detects any number of viral particles, then you have the active, chronic hepatitis c. If it is undetectable, then you have spontaneously cleared it and should go out an immediately thank the Creator and go buy a lottery ticket. A knowledgeable doctor (usually a gastroenterologist) should know to do the PCR test. Everyone who has been exposed will have the antibodies. 20% of people with antibodies no longer have the virus. Get tested and find out. Best wishes.

If you tested positive 8 years ago the A&B vaccinne has nothing to do with 'C'..definatly get tested again.

Hepatitis C is called the 'silent killer' because it shows little to no signs of the damage it is doing to your liver until it is a very sick liver.
HCV Adovate and 2yr SVR=sustained viral responder
I did the treatment and cleared the virus

that test shows only exposure not infection. You need another test called HCV RNA (or sometimes HCV PCR). If that is positive, then you definitely have the disease and should consider treatment. Try HCV advocate web page or americal liver foundation or www.aasld.org. Find a hepatologist in your area