Hepatitis C Antibodies (HCV), CLIA/ELISA
Hepatitis C Antibodies (HCV), CLIA/ELISA
Hepatitis C is a viral infection caused by the HCV virus. Chronic infection is characterized by inflammation and damage to the liver. When one is infected with a virus, their bodies produce antibodies (proteins that help fight off the virus).
The hepatitis C antibody test by Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) or Chemiluminescent Microparticle Immune Assay (CLIA) is used for detecting these antibodies in the blood sample. Thus, getting Hepatitis C Antibody (HCV), CLIA/ELISA test is recommended to screen for, detect, and help diagnose acute and chronic HCV infections
Symptoms of HCV infection:
In the early stages, an HCV infection shows no symptoms. However, chronic infection may lead to liver disease. Symptoms of liver disease include:
Nausea
Diarrhoea
Decreased appetite
Fatigue
Yellowing of skin
Fever
Stomach pain
Frequent bruising
Dark urine
Light coloured stool
Who should get tested?
This test is recommended for individuals who have/are:
Above 18 years
Ever injected any illegal drugs
Had a blood transfusion or organ transplantation
Sexual partner who is HCV positive
HIV disease
Healthcare professional who got exposed to infected blood
Children of HCV infected mother
Test preparation
No special preparations are required to take hepatitis C antibody test.
Please talk to your healthcare professional if you are taking any medications before taking the test
Interpretation of the Test Results
The test results of the hepatitis C antibody test are given as either positive or negative.
Positive test results – The positive test results indicate the presence of hepatitis C-specific antibodies and could mean one of the following two things:
1.     You are likely to have a hepatitis C infection, or
2.   You have had hepatitis C infection in the past and have developed immunity against it.
Negative test results – The negative test results indicate there were no antibodies specific to hepatitis C infection found in your blood. Therefore, you do not have any infection
FAQs
What is the turnaround time (TAT) for a hepatitis C antibody (HCV) test
The test results of the hepatitis C antibody test are usually available within 2 – 3 working days after the sample collection. However, it could also take a little longer at times
Are there any risks associated with the hepatitis C antibody test?
No, there are no potential risks associated with the hepatitis C antibody test. It is a simple blood test and may involve very negligible risk such as feeling a slight sting or a bruise at the site of needle insertion. It usually resolves within a few minutes to a couple of hours. Rarely, the site can also become infected
What is the procedure involved in sample collection?
Your healthcare professional will clean the skin area where the sample will be collected. Following it, he will inject a small needle into your forearm vein and draw a few milliliters of blood into a sterile test tube or vial. The blood sample is then analyzed for hepatitis C antibodies
Can the HBV infection be transmitted from infected mother to her baby
Yes. New born babies are more likely to contract the infection from their infected mothers as they are exposed to blood and other bodily fluids during their delivery. According to the studies, 90% of moms with hepatitis C infection will pass the virus on to their children. As a result, pregnant women are routinely tested for hepatitis C during each pregnancy
Can a person have more than one type of hepatitis infection at the same time?
Yes. It is likely that a person may be infected with more than one type of hepatitis at the same time. Hepatitis A, B, and C are the most common types of hepatitis, with Hepatitis B and C sharing a common mode of parenteral or sexual transmission. As a result, developing hepatitis B and C at the same time is possible
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