AN OVERVIEW
About Hepatitis C Test
Why are the Hepatitis C Tests done?
Hepatitis C testing is used to establish if a person has been infected with the hepatitis C virus, to assess a current or previous illness, and to help patients with their treatment. Acute hepatitis C is a type of hepatitis C that develops within the first six months of infection. Acute hepatitis C can be mild early on in the infection and cause no symptoms. As a result, most persons with acute hepatitis C are unaware of their infection. The immune system fights off the HCV infection in around a quarter of individuals, and the virus is eliminated from the body.
Chronic hepatitis C develops when a patient’s body is unable to fight off the virus. Acute to chronic hepatitis C is prevalent, with 75 per cent to 85 per cent of patients progressing to chronic hepatitis C. It is critical to diagnose chronic hepatitis C as soon as possible since rapid treatment can prevent consequences such as liver disease, liver failure, and liver cancer. A person with hepatitis C has the virus in his or her blood and other bodily fluids.
What does the Hepatitis C Tests measure?
Hepatitis C testing detects viral RNA, detects antibodies to the hepatitis C virus, and/or specifies the hepatitis C strain. Hepatitis C testing can include a variety of tests:
- Antibody (anti-HCV) test for hepatitis C: Antibodies are part of the body’s response to infection. Hepatitis C antibody testing identifies whether or not a patient has been exposed to the virus at any stage in their lives. If this test is positive, you’ll need to test for hepatitis C RNA, which can reveal whether you’re currently infected.
- Hepatitis C RNA test: RNA is a type of genetic material found in the blood that can be identified by the hepatitis C virus. If a hepatitis C antibody test is positive, doctors will do a hepatitis C RNA test to hunt for and/or assess the amount of virus in the blood. HCV RNA tests are divided into two types: qualitative and quantitative. Qualitative HCV RNA tests identify the presence of HCV RNA, while quantitative HCV RNA tests assess the amount of HCV RNA. Knowing how much HCV is in your blood can help you keep track of how well you’re responding to treatment.
- Genotypes: Hepatitis C has at least six strains or genotypes, which are also referred to as genotypes. Hepatitis C treatment is based on the strain, hence genotyping testing is used to guide treatment in patients who have been diagnosed with the virus.
Risk/side effects of Hepatitis C Tests
There are little to no risks associated with taking the hepatitis C test in Chandigarh.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
FAQs
What if my hep C test is positive?
You may have an HCV infection if you test positive. However, it’s possible that you’ve had the virus before and aren’t now infected.
When should I get tested for Hep C?
Everyone between the ages of 18 and 79 should be tested for hepatitis C at least once. Many people with hepatitis C go years without experiencing any symptoms.
Can Hep C be detected in a routine blood test?
Hepatitis C tests are usually performed in labs that perform standard blood work. A blood sample will be collected and analysed as usual. The presence of HCV antibodies in test results indicates that the hepatitis C virus is present.
THINGS TO KNOW AFTER GETTING TESTED
Interpreting Hepatitis C Test Results
Interpreting Hepatitis C Tests results
When your blood shows no indications of HCV antibodies, it is considered negative (non-reactive). Most of the time, this is because you were never exposed to the virus and do not have hepatitis C. You’ve been infected with HCV if you’re positive (reactive). False positives, on the other hand, are surprisingly common. More than one-fifth of those who test positive for hepatitis C do not have the disease.
Hepatitis C Tests In Chandigarh
Starts from 3600*
Looking to book Hepatitis C Tests in Chandigarh? Read below to know about the tests included.
This is the first and, in some cases, the only blood test you will receive. It’s also known as an ELISA test because it looks for antibodies that your body produces to fight the infection. When your body detects the hepatitis C virus in your blood, it produces these proteins. They often appear 12 weeks following infection. Antibodies will either be negative or positive in your test. The findings normally take a few days to a week to arrive, while some locations provide a faster test.
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