After testing positive for Hepatitis C by the ELISA, why do doctors test using the western blot method?

What does it mean if you test negative?

After testing positive for Hepatitis C by the ELISA, why do doctors test using the western blot method?
they test using difderent tests to confirm the first one, if you test negative you don't have it.
Reply:The immunoblot assay (Western blot) is used to confirm a positive ELISA. It's a back up. Although the ELISA is considered to be the most sensitive test, there can be false positives. You want to be sure, don't you? And if you test negative on the blot, you don't have hep C.





Lucky you to have 2 nurses advising you.
Reply:ELISA is often nonspecific and can sometimes generate misleading results. A confirmatory Western Blot will report bands of specific molecular weights and can confirm or disconfirm your ELISA results.
Reply:ELISA has been known to give false positives, but it is much less expensive than the western blot, so they tend to do that first, if it is positive, then the expense of the western blot is justified and they do that to verify the diagnosis.


If the western blot is negative, then you do not have Hep C.

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