HCV Antibody - Immunochromatography

Also known as Anti-HCV, Anti HCV Antibody, Hepatitis C Virus Antibody

You need to provide

Blood

This test is for

Male, Female

Test Preparation

No special preparation is required.

Understanding HCV Antibody - Immunochromatography

What is HCV Antibody - Immunochromatography?

An HCV Antibody - Immunochromatography test is a serological test that identifies hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. It detects antibodies that the body makes in response to HCV. HCV commonly infects the liver and if not recognized or treated timely, results in liver damage.

Hepatitis C is a viral infection caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV) that affects your liver. The common symptoms of a recent HCV infection include fever, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, decreased appetite, abdominal pain, dark urine, light-colored stools, joint pain, and jaundice (yellowing of skin and the whites of the eyes). This infection spreads when you come in contact with the blood, open wounds, or body fluids of an infected person. It can also spread through sexual contact; by sharing needles, syringes, or any drug-injection equipment; due to the transfusion with infected blood; or from a mother to the child during birth.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends an HCV Antibody - Immunochromatography test for people who are at an increased risk of this infection, have come in contact with an already infected person, or show any of the symptoms of an HCV infection. However, following initial infection, about 80% of the infected individuals do not even exhibit any symptoms. An HCV test helps identify people infected with the HCV virus and allows the clinician to start appropriate treatment. Early diagnosis can prevent health problems resulting from the infection and further virus transmission. The test also helps distinguish HCV infection from other forms of hepatitis.

Usually, no special preparation is needed for this test. You may eat and drink as per your daily routine. Talk to your doctor about your specific test results. Narrate your complete medical history to help them correlate your clinical and laboratory findings. The test results will help the doctor determine your medical condition and formulate your overall treatment plan.

What is HCV Antibody - Immunochromatography used for?

An HCV Antibody - Immunochromatography test is done:

To screen for hepatitis C infection if you have been exposed to HCV or show symptoms associated with liver disease.
To screen for hepatitis C infection if you have risk factors for developing an HCV infection.

What does HCV Antibody - Immunochromatography measure?

An HCV Antibody - Immunochromatography test determines if you have been infected by HCV and helps your doctor to guide your treatment. HCV causes liver inflammation and is classified into acute hepatitis infection and chronic hepatitis infection.

Acute hepatitis C: This occurs in the first six months after exposure to the hepatitis C virus. In the early stage of the infection, acute hepatitis C is mild and may cause no symptoms. For this reason, most people do not know they have this infection.
Chronic hepatitis C: If your body is unable to fight off the virus, you can develop a chronic hepatitis C infection. Progression from acute to chronic hepatitis C is common, occurring in about 75-85% of patients. Detecting chronic hepatitis C at the early stage is important to prevent future complications, such as liver failure, and initiate effective treatment.

Interpreting HCV Antibody - Immunochromatography results

Interpretations

HCV antibody test can be reported as "positive" or "negative." In general, if the HCV antibody test is positive, it means that the individual tested is infected or has likely been infected at some time with hepatitis C. If the HCV RNA test is positive, then the person has a current infection. However, if no HCV viral RNA is detected, then the person either does not have an active infection or the virus present is very low in numbers.

HCV Antibody	HCV RNA test	Interpretation
Negative		No infection or too early after exposure for the test to be accurate; if suspicion remains high, retest at a later time may be required.
Positive or Indeterminate	Negative	Past infection or no infection (false positive screen); additional tests may be required
Positive or Weak or Indeterminate	Positive	Current infection

Answers to Patient Concerns & Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about HCV Antibody - Immunochromatography

Frequently Asked Questions about HCV Antibody - Immunochromatography

Q. What are the early symptoms of a hepatitis C infection?

Most people do not show any symptoms during the initial stages of hepatitis C infection. However, few people may experience symptoms like fever, fatigue, body pain, loss of appetite, stomach pain, dark-colored urine, light-colored stools, and the yellowing of the white portion of the eyes and skin.

Q. Is there a vaccine for hepatitis C?

Currently, there is no effective vaccine to prevent hepatitis C infection.

Q. Can hepatitis C be spread through food or water?

No, hepatitis C virus does not spread through food or water, by sharing eating utensils, breastfeeding, hugging, kissing, handholding, coughing, or sneezing.

Q. How is hepatitis C infection transmitted?

Hepatitis C infection can be transmitted through contact with infected blood and body fluids. This can happen during unprotected sexual contact with an infected partner; from an infected mother to her unborn baby during birth; due to transfusion with infected blood; while sharing needles, syringes, or drug preparation equipment; by sharing items such as toothbrushes or razors; due to direct contact with blood or open wounds of an infected person; and during body piercing and tattooing.

Q. What are the additional tests required if the hepatitis C virus total antibody test result is positive?

If the result of an HCV test is positive, your doctor may recommend a hepatitis C RNA test. This is a blood test that looks for genetic evidence of the virus. Another test, called viral genotyping, helps find out what kind of HCV infection you have and what type of treatment may be needed. In some cases, you may also need a liver biopsy to look for liver damage associated with HCV.

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