Module 11: Integrated Testing for HIV and HCV
Module 11: Integrated Testing for HIV and HCV, Screen 11 of 15
What Does a “Reactive” HCV Antibody Result Mean?
When a person tests positive for hepatitis C antibodies, we say that their test is “reactive.” This is because testing HCV-antibody positive has a different meaning from testing HIV-antibody positive.
With HIV, once someone has a confirmed positive for HIV antibodies, we know that person has HIV.
With hepatitis C, about 20 percent of people (10 out of 50) clear the disease on their own. That means they’re no longer infected, but they still have the antibodies. This is like the measles: If you were infected once, you continue to have the antibodies even after the disease is gone. It’s the same principle for hepatitis C, except that with hepatitis C, only 20 percent of the people who get hepatitis C clear the infection on their own.
So we say that someone whose test shows detectable HCV antibodies had a “reactive” test. This means that even though the test reacted to the antibodies, the person may not still be living with chronic HCV. The next step for people who test HCV-reactive is more testing.
What Does a “Reactive” HCV Antibody Result Mean?
When a person tests positive for hepatitis C antibodies, we say that their test is “reactive.” This is because testing HCV-antibody positive has a different meaning from testing HIV-antibody positive.
With HIV, once someone has a confirmed positive for HIV antibodies, we know that person has HIV.
With hepatitis C, about 20 percent of people (10 out of 50) clear the disease on their own. That means they’re no longer infected, but they still have the antibodies. This is like the measles: If you were infected once, you continue to have the antibodies even after the disease is gone. It’s the same principle for hepatitis C, except that with hepatitis C, only 20 percent of the people who get hepatitis C clear the infection on their own.
So we say that someone whose test shows detectable HCV antibodies had a “reactive” test. This means that even though the test reacted to the antibodies, the person may not still be living with chronic HCV. The next step for people who test HCV-reactive is more testing.