Final answer:
The initial claim that a Hepatitis C EIA test can detect the virus 2 weeks after infection is false since it usually takes longer for antibodies to become detectable. Confirmatory testing for viral RNA is necessary to accurately diagnose HCV.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Hepatitis C virus (HCV) diagnostic enzyme immunoassay (EIA) test is an antibody-based assay, which may detect HCV in a patient's bloodstream. However, the claim that this test can detect HCV as early as 2 weeks after infection is false. After initial HCV infection, it typically takes an average of 45 days for the immune system to produce detectable levels of antibodies. As a result, testing too soon can yield false negative results.
Patients who test positive must have a confirmatory test, such as a test for HCV viral RNA which is more accurate. This secondary test is necessary due to the high possibility of false-positive results from the initial antibody-based EIA test, often because of cross-reactivity with antibodies produced from previous infections with other pathogens.