HCV Test: A Complete Guide to Hepatitis C Testing

HCV Test: A Complete Guide to Hepatitis C Testing Pathology Packages

What is HCV test?

A HCV test, also termed as Hepatitis C Virus test, is a blood examination used to identify hepatitis C virus infection. This virus can cause evident liver damage such as liver failure, cirrhosis, and liver cancer. A HCV test studies antibodies to check how the patient’s body is responding to the virus, which indicates any past infections or the virus's genetic material (RNA) indicating a present infection.

A positive antibody test is followed by a RNA test to get accurate results for an appropriate treatment and medications.

Other names: Hepatitis C Antibody Test (Anti-HCV), Hepatitis C Rapid Screening Test, HCV Antibody-Immunochromatography Test, HCV RNA Test (for detecting viral genetic material), Hepatitis C Viral Load Test.

When to get an HCV blood test done?

One should consider getting a HCV blood test done, under below-mentioned conditions-

• Individuals who are engaged with unprotected sexual intercourse
• Mothers who are diagnosed with Hepatitis C during pregnancy, new-borns need screening
• Patients receiving kidney dialysis
• Patients infected with HIV infection
• Individuals receiving organ transplants or transfusions of blood

What are the indications for an Anti HCV ?

Anti HCV test is done to determine hepatitis c virus, which shows mild symptoms until severe liver damage, commonly includes:

• Fever
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Loss of appetite
• Fatigue and tiredness
• Yellowing of the eyes and skin
• Yellow or dark-colored urine

Under such evident indications, it is highly recommended to consult a healthcare provider for appropriate treatment and medications.

What sample type is required for an Anti HCV test?

Typically, a blood sample is required for an Anti HCV test.

What is the cost/price of HCV Blood test?

The HCV Blood test cost in Delhi NCR is very affordable.

At Mahajan Imaging and Labs, the HCV-Rapid Card test is priced at ₹800. In addition, the lab offers hepatitis c antibody (Anti-HCV) priced at ₹1650 ensuring comprehensive diagnostic coverage, for South Delhi, North Delhi, East Delhi, West Delhi and Central Delhi, Gurugram / Gurgaon, etc.

What is HCV test used for?

A HCV blood test is used to identify hepatitis C virus infection which causes severe liver damage. An Anti HCV test studies antibodies to check the body's response to the virus, which indicates any past infections or viruses genetic material (RNA) indicating a present infection.

What does Hepatitis C blood testing show?

Hepatitis C blood testing mainly includes two tests, among which an Antibody test reveals any past exposure towards hepatitis C infection. While a virus genetic material (RNA) identifies present infections of hepatitis C.

What do HCV test result mean?

A positive HCV antibody test result indicates that the patient was infected with the virus in the near past but it does not confirm current infection.

While a negative HCV antibody test result shows that the patient was not infected.

A positive RNA test detects present hepatitis C infection in the patient.

Whereas a negative RNA test indicates that the people are healthy and are not infected with the infection.

Can an HCV blood test be performed at home?

A hepatitis c blood test can be performed at the patient’s home or at the nearest center by collecting the samples through a home collection facility, allowing easy and convenient access to the HCV blood test.

At what locations HCV testing can be conducted?

In addition to home collection, people can visit Mahajan Imaging and Labs centers located in Defence Colony New Delhi, SDA (Safdarjung Development Area) New Delhi, Pusa Road Delhi, Gurugram Haryana, and Bali Nagar Delhi. Home collection is available throughout Delhi NCR.

What HCV level is high?

A high hepatitis C virus level is considered to be more than 8000,000 IU/mL, while some consider 400,000 IU/ mL as high, which is also known as viral load.

What is the preparation required by a patient for HCV blood testing?

Generally, no special preparation is required for a HCV blood test.

How does HCV spread?

Below-mentioned are some of the common ways through which hepatitis C virus spreads:

• Individuals who go under healthcare related procedures, such as needle stick injuries.
• By perinatal transmission, immediately before or after giving birth to the new-borns through their mothers.
• Through sexual transmission for people involved sexual intercourse with someone already diagnosed with hepatitis C.