REASON FOR TESTING OF HEPATITIS C
Hepatitis C test is ordered as screening
in following conditions:
- Are children born to HCV-positive women
- Have been exposed to someone with hepatitis C
- Have evidence of chronic liver disease
- Are health care, emergency medicine, or public safety
workers who had needle sticks, sharps, or mucosal exposure to
HCV-positive blood
- Have evidence of chronic liver disease
- Were ever on long-term dialysis
- Have HIV
- Have ever injected illegal drugs
WHAT IS BEING TESTED IN HEPATITIS C
HCV
Antibody-provide information regarding the antibody to the
virus and confirms about the presence of infection.
HCV RNA-It
is a kind of qualitative test that detect presence of RNA in the
blood hence confirms recent infection.
HCV VIRAL LOAD
(QUANTITATIVE PCR)-it detect the number viral RNA copies in
blood hence helpful to monitor therapy response of the patient.
HCV
GENOTYPING-ordered before the start of therapy so that its
success can be assessed.
INTERPRETATION OF HEPATITIS C TEST RESULT
HCV
Antibody-It is reported as Positive or Negative which confers
the presence of infection only.
HCV RNA-positive
result signifies recent infection.
HCV VIRAL LOAD
(QUANTITATIVE PCR)-High or increasing titre signifies that the
treatment is not successful hence change in therapy is required.
HCV
GENOTYPING-it identify the kind of virus genotype person is
infected with and hence guides in the treatment of the patient
regarding efficacy of therapy associated with particular genotype.
HEPATITIS C TEST REFERENCE RANGE
NOT APPLICABLE
