Hepatitis Test
This test checks to see if you are infected with one of the three most common hepatitis viruses.
Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver. Frequently, hepatitis is caused by a viral infection. Three of the most common hepatitis viruses are hepatitis A, hepatitis B and hepatitis C. An acute viral hepatitis panel typically consists of the following:
- Hepatitis A antibody, IgM – In someone with signs and symptoms of hepatitis A, a positive test usually confirms the diagnosis of acute hepatitis A.
- Hepatitis B core antibody, IgM – When this antibody is detected it may indicate an acute hepatitis B infection. However, this antibody may also be present in people with chronic hepatitis B when they have a flare up of the disease.
- Hepatitis B surface Ag – This protein is located on the hepatitis B virus. It is the earliest indicator of an acute infection. However, it may also be present in people with chronic hepatitis B.
- Hepatitis C antibody – This test looks for antibodies the body makes when infected with the hepatitis C virus. It cannot tell the difference between an active or chronic infection. If this test is positive, additional testing will be needed.
This group of tests is used to determine if a person's symptoms are due to a current infection with a hepatitis virus.
- These tests can help identify which virus is causing a person's symptoms.
- These tests can also help determine if someone has been exposed to one of the hepatitis viruses, even before symptoms develop.
In an adult, the blood sample is taken by placing a needle in a vein in the arm.
- If all of the tests are negative, it means the levels are probably too low to detect. It can also mean the person's symptoms are due to another type of hepatitis (not viral).
- If any of the tests are positive, your healthcare provider will review the results with you. He or she may be able to tell you if you have a chronic or acute infection with one of the hepatitis viruses.
Someone can be infected with more than one of the hepatitis viruses. It is also possible for a person with a chronic infection with one hepatitis virus to develop an acute infection with a different hepatitis virus.
This care path's costs do not include the charge to draw blood from a vein (venipuncture). There will only be one charge to draw blood, even if multiple tests are being performed on the samples that are taken.
What should I ask my healthcare provider before having this test?
- If the test is positive, what is my treatment plan? What precautions should I take?
- If the test is negative, what else could be causing my symptoms? Do I have a different type of hepatitis?
- What other tests might I need?
Source UHC.com
Also known as:
Hepatitis TestLaboratory WorkHepatitis CHepatitis BHepatitisHepatitis ALiverViral Infection
Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver. Frequently, hepatitis is caused by a viral infection. Three of the most common hepatitis viruses are hepatitis A, hepatitis B and hepatitis C. An acute viral hepatitis panel typically consists of the following:
- Hepatitis A antibody, IgM – In someone with signs and symptoms of hepatitis A, a positive test usually confirms the diagnosis of acute hepatitis A.
- Hepatitis B core antibody, IgM – When this antibody is detected it may indicate an acute hepatitis B infection. However, this antibody may also be present in people with chronic hepatitis B when they have a flare up of the disease.
- Hepatitis B surface Ag – This protein is located on the hepatitis B virus. It is the earliest indicator of an acute infection. However, it may also be present in people with chronic hepatitis B.
- Hepatitis C antibody – This test looks for antibodies the body makes when infected with the hepatitis C virus. It cannot tell the difference between an active or chronic infection. If this test is positive, additional testing will be needed.
This group of tests is used to determine if a person's symptoms are due to a current infection with a hepatitis virus.
- These tests can help identify which virus is causing a person's symptoms.
- These tests can also help determine if someone has been exposed to one of the hepatitis viruses, even before symptoms develop.
In an adult, the blood sample is taken by placing a needle in a vein in the arm.
- If all of the tests are negative, it means the levels are probably too low to detect. It can also mean the person's symptoms are due to another type of hepatitis (not viral).
- If any of the tests are positive, your healthcare provider will review the results with you. He or she may be able to tell you if you have a chronic or acute infection with one of the hepatitis viruses.
Someone can be infected with more than one of the hepatitis viruses. It is also possible for a person with a chronic infection with one hepatitis virus to develop an acute infection with a different hepatitis virus.
This care path's costs do not include the charge to draw blood from a vein (venipuncture). There will only be one charge to draw blood, even if multiple tests are being performed on the samples that are taken.
What should I ask my healthcare provider before having this test?
- If the test is positive, what is my treatment plan? What precautions should I take?
- If the test is negative, what else could be causing my symptoms? Do I have a different type of hepatitis?
- What other tests might I need?
Source UHC.com
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