Hepatitis

When is a Hepatitis Test Prescribed??  

Hepatitis is infectious and needs to be diagnosed and treated effectively. Some develop into chronic conditions that harm the liver and increase the risk of developing liver cancer. The sooner you are tested for a chronic form of hepatitis, the sooner you can begin taking medication to minimize or stop the liver damage caused by the virus.  

If you have a chronic type of hepatitis, such as hepatitis B or C, you may not have symptoms until the damage impacts liver function. In contrast, signs of an acute infection might appear anywhere between two weeks and six months following infection. Infectious hepatitis symptoms commonly include:? 

• Fatigue  

• Flu-like symptoms 

• Jaundice symptoms like yellowing of the skin and eyes?  

• Nausea and/or vomiting  

• Abdominal pain 

• Unexplained weight loss 

• Loss of appetite 

• Dark urine  

• Clay-coloured bowel movements  

• Joint pain  

Hepatitis C is one of the most elusive viruses. Once in your bloodstream, it goes to your liver, where it may remain for an extended period. If not treated, this can progress to cancer or cause the organ to fail. Hepatitis C is one of the leading causes of liver transplants in the United States. 

Why is Hepatitis Testing Necessary? 

Here are five reasons why you should get checked right away:

1. The disease can be deadly  

Chronic hepatitis B or C can cause significant health complications. Because the virus damages the liver, patients with chronic hepatitis B or C are at risk of: 

Chronic liver disease 

Cirrhosis (scarring of the liver) 

Liver cancer  

Liver failure can develop when your liver stops working normally. These effects may be avoided if chronic hepatitis is diagnosed and treated early.  

2. Even if you feel fine, you might have the disease 

Many patients with hepatitis C have no symptoms, so they are unaware they are infected until it causes liver damage. That is why it is critical to consult a doctor and be checked. 

3. You can protect your family and friends 

Even if you don't have any symptoms, you can transmit the hepatitis C virus to others through your blood. Hence, those in close contact with positive cases even if asymptomatic, should also be tested. Hepatitis C-positive mothers can transmit the infection to their foetus.  

4. Treatments can either inhibit or even eliminate the virus  

Hepatitis C is treated with a mixture of antiviral medicines in most patients. They do have adverse effects and are not suitable for everyone. New FDA-approved medications are more effective and have fewer adverse effects. 

5. Early treatment can help avoid developing liver cancer and help the liver function normally  

Early detection and treatment can prevent the hepatitis virus from causing cirrhosis or malignancy. Your doctor will be able to see any indicators of liver problems. They can begin treatment before significant harm occurs.  

How is The Hepatitis Blood Test Performed? 

To treat it properly, it is critical to understand what causes hepatitis. A suite of blood tests is performed to detect present or previous hepatitis A, B, or C infection. For instance, an HCV Antibody Test is carried out to determine if a person has ever had the hepatitis C virus.  

Time Required for Test Report and Next Steps  

Test results might take one-two days to even a few weeks to arrive. Some health facilities offer rapid anti-HCV testing, with results available in 20-30 minutes. 

For instance, if the antibody test for hepatitis C is positive, you must undergo another examination. It is known as the nucleic acid test (NTA) for HCV RNA. It is performed to determine whether hepatitis C. presently infects you.  

If that test comes as positive, the virus is now in your blood. In this case, you should seek medical attention. However, many persons with hepatitis can be cured with medications known as direct-acting antiviral (DAA) treatments.  

On the other hand, if you are diagnosed with hepatitis A, your doctor will carefully examine how well your liver is functioning, but there are no specific treatments. If you have had hepatitis B for a long time, various medications are available to treat chronic hepatitis B. Also, you may be a "carrier", which means you can infect others.