If you were exposed to Hep C but have not been tested, how long can it take for you to start having some of the syptoms if any. Also does anyone know if by law they must test you if you request it in a state facility?

You may not have any symptoms for over 20 years. I had no symptoms, I happened upon the diagnosis through a higher cholesterol screen test. My doctor who I was new to, asked my drug history and because I had been an intravenous drug user he tested for HCV without telling me and found it, I was lucky, I had no symptoms and after treatment over two years ago, I am free of the Hep C virus, it will be three years this summer. My sister died in TDCJ with it and no treatment. She had symptoms. Everey one is different, there is no black and white about this virus. Except it can kill you. It might not, I wouldn't want to risk not doing the treatment if I had it, I do this all over again, treatment that is.

bella,

How long it takes (from my knowledge) for symptoms to come out will depend on the type of Hep...

I believe that for HepC that it could be as long as several months... There is a thread here somewhere I think that talks to that... I will see if I can find it and direct you to it.

Alternatively Menolly may show up here before I find it and answer the question for you.

I also know that with HepC the symptoms can be mild and you could confuse them with other things - lethargic, no energy, mild weight loss...

I know in Missouri that they do not automatically test but WILL test if requested. I don't know about other states.

Bella,

Goose Bumps is right here... You may not have symptoms...

I think that I was confusing symptoms with how long it can take to test positive... that is or could be several months.

Below is a thread that Ken posted and there is some information there...


http://www.prisontalk.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=9177

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS 80% of persons have no signs or symptoms.
jaundice
fatigue
dark urine
abdominal pain
loss of appetite
nausea

Teb's right.

Wayne had no symptoms until the past few months. He believes he knows when he was exposed - some 20 years ago.

I believe I read in some of the literature about Hep C that you need to wait 6 months after exposure before being tested. It takes that long for the virus to show up if you've contracted it. As everyone has stated already, you can have it for many years without having any symptoms at all.

My husband tested positive for it a few months ago, and the doctors think he has had it for close to 30 years with no symptoms. I went ahead and got tested for it. My doctor said it's a good idea for anyone who has been exposed to get tested.

I'm not sure, but I THINK prisons are required to test inmates for Hep C, HIV, etc., if they request it. Someone else may know for sure.

Bookgirl,

In Missouri it is not done routinely but is done if asked for.

You have to be careful however because the test for HepA, B, and C are different and one will not give results for the other.