Hi I am new to the group

[Guest guest]

Hi everyone, I just found out my husband tested positive for hep C. He had a test done called HCT (qualitative). Is this an accurate test? Can it have false positives? I haven't been tested yet, we just found out this morning. He was tested at the VA (he just returned from Iraq) and this is where we think he acquired it. He swears he wasn't sexually active while there (and if I know him, he is telling me the truth) and that he never used injectionable drugs (which I know he is telling the truth) He also said that the military practices of safety were very bad, due to poor supplies. They would work on equipment that had blood on it and they didn't provide gloves or any protective measures. This makes me so angry. He even had hand surgery while there. He didn't realize that the virus stays alive in dried blood for so long too. I am still in shock faze, angry, upset. This is the last thing he needs, since he has gotten back, he has so many other problems too (health) from Iraq.

I know I am not supposed to talk politics, but I hear so many vets are coming back and testing positive for Hep C. So my question again is this test he had definitive, accurate? Should he have the RIBA test? It says on his form RIBA test follow up not needed, but we could do this through our private insurance. He has also just been diagnosed with a potential bone problem, possibly we think Rheumatoid Arthritis, could this give a false positive, being that it is a viral condition?I guess I am hoping this all isn't true.

Any help, would be appreciated.Debbie