Hepatitis A virus IgM Antibody (HAV IgM) Test
Hepatitis A virus IgM Antibody (HAV IgM)
Hepatitis A infection, a highly contagious and deadly disease, affects the liver and is caused by Hepatitis A virus (HAV). It spreads via the oral-fecal route, unsafe sexual practices, or direct contact with an infectious person.
Hepatitis A virus IgM antibody is a serological test used to determine the levels of IgM antibodies in an infected person’s blood. These antibodies are detectable in the blood 4 weeks after infection and continue to rise for about 2 months before dropping to undetectable levels at 6 months
Symptoms of HAV infection:
Not every person infected with hepatitis A shows symptoms. However, if symptoms develop, they will appear in 3-4 weeks’ time after the infection. These include
Yellowing of skin and eyes
Loss of appetite
Abdominal pain
Dark urine
Diarrhoea
Light coloured stools
Joint pain
Fatigue
Who should get tested?
You may need this test if you:
Live under poor hygiene conditions
Show symptoms of Hepatitis A infection
Have contact with or eat contaminated food
Share needles for intravenous drugs
Live in close contact with infected persons
Work in a healthcare center and are exposed to infected individuals
Have sex with infected persons
Test preparation:
No special preparation is required to take the Hepatitis A virus IgM antibody test. It is a simple blood test where your healthcare provider will insert a small needle into a vein in your arm, collect a few mL of blood in a sterile test tube, and get it tested. Please talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking any medications, such as over-the-counter medicines that don’t need a prescription or any illegal drugs.
Interpretation of results
Test results for Hepatitis A virus IgM antibody are given as either positive or negative.
Positive test results mean that there were IgM antibodies detected in your blood which could be an indication of an active HAV infection, past HAV infection, or immunization against Hepatitis A infection.
Negative test results mean that there were no Hepatitis A IgM antibodies detected in your blood, indicating no infection.
FAQs
What is the turnaround time (TAT) for the Hepatitis A virus IgM antibody test?
The test results for Hepatitis A virus IgM antibodies are usually available within 2-3 working days after the sample collection. Although, it could take a little longer at times
Are there any risks associated with the Hepatitis A virus IgM antibody test?
No. There are no potential risks associated with Hepatitis A virus IgM antibody testing. It is a simple blood test that might involve a slight sting or bruise at the site of sample collection
How long can IgM antibodies be detected in my blood after the infection?
IgM antibodies can be detected in the blood for about 4 to 6 months after the infection. The detection of IgM antibodies in the blood usually indicates a relatively recent infection. It is the first antibody produced by the immune system after the virus has attacked
Can I get false-positive results for the Hepatitis A virus IgM antibody test?
Yes, a few times it is also possible to get false-positive test results for the Hepatitis A virus IgM antibody test. This could be because of the cross-reaction of the antibodies in individuals who have autoimmune diseases such as autoimmune hepatitis and primary biliary cholangitis overlap syndrome or due to chronic or acute infections
What causes false-negative results to the Hepatitis A virus IgM antibody test?
If the hepatitis A virus IgM antibody test yields a negative result, it means that no antibodies have been found in the blood. IgM antibodies typically take four weeks to develop after a viral infection. Since there are no IgM antibodies found in the blood prior to this time, the test may produce false-negative findings if performed earlier
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