Hep C Diagnosis --- Now What???!!!

triathlon99 · Jul 11, 2008

generally if during history you have indicated any type of exposure, it would not be uncommon for your doctor to check for Hep C. There are MANY cases of Hep C where no "known" exposure occurred. The importance of early detection is for early treatment if needed

Penguin67 · Jul 11, 2008

It is possible to test positive for Hep C, and upon further discriminatory tests, it can be found that Lipitor was causing liver problems. Stop the Lipitor, and the liver goes back to its old ways, and tests become normal.

This happened to my mom, who was 6 months post-cardiac surgery. Of course, when we got the first labs back, we figured she was unlucky and got it during one of her many post-op transfusions. She did not have any other risk factors. Fortunately, they did send out labs to Mayo clinic, because her case was so unusual. I can't recall the albs, many antigen specific labs for hepatitis? Anyway, after two weeks of waiting, we were relieved with the results.

I'm hoping for the best for you and sending good thoughts your way.

CNA_MISSY · Jul 11, 2008

Good morning and thank you for all of the replies and support. One of the labs drawn was for Hep C. That was confirmed this morning when I received THE dreaded call from a nurse with Employee Health and she said that all of my labs were not back yet so I CANNOT start my job orientation on Monday as planned.

At this time, I am in a "deferred" status until my confirmatory tests come back which they expect will be Monday or Tuesday. At no time, did she ever come right out and say my Hep C test came back positive. I actually had to ask her point blank what test came back positive and then she acted like she hated to say what it was (even though I knew anyway from peeking). She then said it may be a false positive and I should just "sit tight" until Monday or Tuesday when the confirmatory tests (one that starts with R and the other that starts with P -- I think) comes back early next week.

So, there you have it, I did not read it wrong, it was what I thought it was. I will wait on the confirmatory tests like she said (like I have a choice) but I hope they are false positive but if they are not, then that means that I possibly received tainted blood back in 1979 when I had a blood transfusion during the biirth of my daughter, if I am in fact HPC+.

Right now, I'm just floored so I have to do research to see what exactly this means for the rest of my life. I haven't exhibited any outward signs whatsoever of having HCV and my kid is 29 so I am not going to put myself through that emotional drama unnecessarily. Nope, won't do it! I will see my doctor at the end of the month when she returns from vacation and will follow up then.

As far as my dream job, the nurse said that I can possibly still get hired "provided my manager can confirm that there is NO possibility that I could possibly stick myself and then stick the patient". WTH does that mean...like if I stuck myself, would I actually stick the patient too? I think the likelihood of the patient tainting me IS greater than me tainting the patient, isn't it. At any rate, I was scheduled to work in the ER where things are hectic and chaotic so I don't anticipate that I will be getting my dream job after all, but we will see. I cannot see my manager confirming that.

Thanks for the support...will let you all know as soon as I know.

CNA_MISSY · Jul 11, 2008

DLTRAHAN26 ----

Thanks, but I don't think I will be fighting them to get it in...that would be career suicide. If I fight to get in, I would probably have to fight to stay in and I don't want that.

What do you mean when you say "do you have active hep c that will require interferon and all kinds of exhaustin drugs. or are you just making antibodies without active symptoms". I am not sure what that means. Can you give me more details. Thanks.

sundowners2 · Jul 11, 2008

Even if the HCV result was positive AND it was not a false positive, about 1/3 of those who acquire HCV are able to clear the virus from their systems without medical tx.

It sounds like you have the right attitude. Keep your head up, and I'll say a prayer for ya =)

Dorito, ASN, RN · Jul 11, 2008

I gave blood about a year ago and hadn't given blood for many years. I got a letter from the blood center that I had a positive Hepatitis test come back. The letter explained that this could well be a false positive but I should have some specific labs drawn in 6 months. I was freaked out too. I had the blood tests done and all came back negative. Now I give blood every time they have a blood drive where I work. It well could be a false positive. Keep us informed of the outcome and good luck.

RaspberryTX, RN · Jul 11, 2008

It would be interesting to see what the specificity is of the test they used.

embarrasingfield · Jul 11, 2008

I wish I had a good answer for you, but I wanted to say I'm sorry this has happened and I wish you luck with all of it.

Its sad that Nursing is one of those areas where we take such good care of others, and receive very little of it in return. Putting yourself at risk as a Nurse is part of the nature of the Beast. It doesn't matter how safe your practice is, things can and do happen, all the time.

My one and only needle stick in nineteen years, was a family member who actually came toward me and stuck herself on a needle I was holding away from everyone, up in the air so everyone could see it (there wasn't a sharps container in the room.

None of us are exempt from these risks. Hope you can keep that job.:nuke:

MIcrunchyRN · Jul 11, 2008

Is it possible you contracted it thru a sexual experience.. its uncommon to contract it that way but plausible. I would ask spouse/children to also be tested if it turns out to be a true positive as well to be safe.

Try not to freak, they cannot not hire you because of it. They just need to verify results, make sure it wasnt a false positive and have a chat with you reguarding patient care with this. If they don't hire you then FIGHT it. Even if you fight it and quit.. fight it.

I am surprised they chose to do this on your employment physical though. Usually they just check your hep B immunity if you don't have it recorded anywhere.

CNA_MISSY · Jul 11, 2008

My husband is in the military and his job requires a yearly physical inc Hep tests. He checked the results from his last physical in May of 2008 and it is negative. It is VERY unlikely I got it from sex. I have never stuck myself in any of my former CNA positions so the only exposure I can think of is the blood transfusion (provided this is not a false positive). I will definitely keep you all posted..it's gonna be a long weekend. Right now, I am on the deck, grilling me a steak and drinking a beer. If the stress kills me before the confirmatory results come back, just know I went happy:).

(((Thanks)))

MassED, BSN, RN · Jul 11, 2008

Last week, I was offered my dream job. I accepted and went through the whole process of having the physical done, including the TB test. I went back today and had the test read. When the nurse left the room, she left my chart open and obviously, I took a peek. I almost screamed when I saw that the lab results said I was Hep C positive. I have never used drugs so the only way I could have gotten it is back in 1979 when I had a blood transfusion after I started bleeding profusely during an emergency c-section situation with my first child.
When the nurse came back, I obviously had to act all cool and stuff when I was not but I managed to pull myself together. I asked her when I would get my clearance to attend orientation on Monday and she said, we don't have all of your labs back yet but someone will call you with the results.
OMG....I am so freaked because I am scared that I will not be able to work at this hospital in this position which I have dreamed about for the past year. I am also a nursing student and two more classes, will apply for my clinicals.
First, is it common for a hospital to turn away Hep C positive employees?
Second, do I need to seek a profession in something else as I will not be allowed to work in nursing because of this diagnosis.
Neither of the two hospitals I worked in previously tested me and I have never had a reason to be tested so this is all coming to light now. I don't know if this is making sense as I am a nervous wreck.
Thanks.
Missy:banghead:

First off, I'm sorry. I would call your doctor and let him or her know of your situation and what to do next.

MassED, BSN, RN · Jul 11, 2008

I had a needlestick and on follow up at the hospital, was told I was hep C+; sick with worry I had a PCR done at my docs....negative. False positives do occur.

whoah, that would be freaky - but thankfully false positives do occur. OP said she called her previous doc and didn't have anything in her previous years records of elevated liver enyzmes. I would definitely go to PCP and investigate and redrawn. If Occupational health does call you with these results that are positive, then take that info to your PCP - if info is contradictory, then you can present that back to Occupational Health. Good luck.