Self Testing
In the organization I work with, we are looking into providing free rapid testing for hep C antibodies to people as part of our overall approach to testing and linkage to care. I am interested in hearing your comments and opinions on whether you would have used such a service if it was offered when you were initially tested. It is not meant to replace any other more traditional method, but is one more tool we can use to reach the undiagnosed who might not otherwise seek testing. Confirmatory RNA would need to follow a positive result. There are a lot of moving parts to this, like many other things, but I am looking for your feedback on the concept. Thanks for your help!
I wish this had existed back when my husband was diagnosed. He was initially misdiagnosed with IBS when in actuality his liver was failing. It was 5 years before his condition worsened enough that additional tests were ordered. Even then the doctor didn't test him for HCV despite having elevated AST/ALT and low WBC. This type of Rapid test may have saved him years of misery.
HeyDeb, your husband’s story is very familiar to me, having experienced much the same. I had elevated liver enzymes and classic symptoms of hep c for years before I was diagnosed by chance. it is precisely why I decided to get involved in raising awareness and advocacy for people like us. If we had only known more about how the virus effected us. I am sorry your husband experienced any misery and I see it too often in the people I meet and get to know who have had hep C, and the longer the worse. It is my hope that more can be tested and get the care they need before the ravages of the virus cause such misery that some of us have felt. I am now training peers and others to do testing and help link people to care and treatment, and I will continue to do this until I can no longer, and one day my hope is that we can see an end to hep C. Blessings HeyDeb,
Daryl
