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HCV-Total Antibody Test

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HCV Test Overview

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a common cause of hepatitis, especially those associated with transfusion. Many patients may not have jaundice (anicteric). This is a HCV test for detection of HCV  antibody. Antibodies usually appear 2 months after infection and do not neutralize virus and hence are not indicative of cure

What is HCV?

Hepatitis C is one of the five types of hepatitis virus which causes the disease. HCV leads to liver damage and inflammation. The disease spreads due to exposure to contaminated blood, such as exposure by sharing personal items, like razors, with the infected person, having sex with an infected person, or sharing needles with intravenous drug users. It can sometimes spread from the mother to a baby during childbirth, though it is less common.

Most people with hepatitis do not notice any symptoms, due to which the disease remains undetected. The infection does not show symptoms until the liver is damaged and affects liver function. The only way to detect the disease is to screen people with high risk.

Who should get the HCV-Total Antibody Test?

People with these symptoms must get an HCV-total antibody test done:

  • If you inject or use drugs
  • If you have HIV
  • If you have ever injected drugs – even once in your life
  • If you are on kidney dialysis
  • If you are pregnant
  • If you have had blood transfusions, organ transplants, or blood components
  • If you have received blood from a donor who tested positive for the hepatitis C virus later
  • If you have abnormal ALT levels (alanine aminotransferase)
  • If you have received clotting factor concentrates before 1987
  • If your mother had HCV when she gave birth to you
  • If you are a first responder, healthcare worker, or work in a field that exposes you to HCV-infected needles.

Written by: Dr Vishal Wadhwa, M.D, D.N.B Microbiology, Medical Affairs

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HCV-Total Antibody Test Price

Metropolis Healthcare is a leading diagnostics centre and pathology lab in India equipped with the latest state-of-the-art technologies that provides the HCV-Total Antibody Test with a clear pricing structure.

The HCV-Total Antibody Test Price in Mumbai is ₹ 1,350 .

We are committed to deliver accurate and quality results from the best labs in India with complete transparency regarding test cost and turnaround time. No matter where you are, we strive to offer patients high-quality service that is affordable and accessible.

Frequently Asked Questions

HCV test is done to screen patients for HCV infection. Patients with positive test should undergo a confirmatory test like HCV RNA by PCR

  • To screen for hepatitis C infection when you are at high risk for getting the HCV infection.
  • To diagnose hepatitis C when you may have been exposed to the virus, such as through contact with the blood of an infected person.
  • To diagnose hepatitis C when you get any symptoms of liver disease.

HCV test detects HCV antibody in the blood of the patient

The HCV-total antibody test checks if a person has been infected with the hepatitis C virus. It checks for the presence of HCV antibodies in a person’s blood.

HCV test requires a blood sample. A tourniquet (elastic) band is placed tightly on the upper arm. The patient is then asked to make a fist. This helps in the build-up of blood filling the veins. The skin is disinfected before needle insertion and the blood sample is collected in vacutainer

The HCV-total antibody test is performed in a clinic or laboratory. The lab technician will tie a tourniquet to your arm and use a fresh needle to extract blood for testing. The test results take a few days to come..

HCV antibody detected: Patient has been exposed to HCV. To confirm acute infection HCV RNA PCR is recommended
HCV antibody not detected: Patient has not been exposed to HCV or the exposure has happened in near past and antibodies have not developed yet

A negative result in the HCV-total antibody test means there are no HCV antibodies in your blood. This means that you have not been exposed to this virus and do not have hepatitis C. Conversely, a positive result means you have been exposed to the hepatitis C virus. If you get a positive result, your healthcare provider will order more tests, including RNA, to measure the number of viral RNA particles in your blood. This test is 100% accurate for detecting an infection.

All people above the age of 18, pregnant women, and people with a high risk of contracting the hepatitis C virus must get tested with an HCV-total antibody test. This is essential as the disease does not show symptoms and leads to a chronic infection.

No special preparation, such as fasting, is required for an HCV-total antibody test.

The HCV-total antibody is one of the many tests used by healthcare professionals to diagnose a hepatitis C infection. It simply tells if you have been exposed to this virus. However, it cannot tell you if the infection is recent or if you have been exposed in the past.

Hepatitis C usually spreads by exposure to infected blood. The most common exposure occurs due to sharing needles during illicit drug use. A few other forms of transmission include exposure of healthcare professionals to used needles, use of contaminated needles for piercings and tattoos, from mother to baby during childbirth, and through sexual activity resulting in tissue tears.

 

Chronic hepatitis C is a condition in which the HCV RNA remains in the blood for a minimum of 6 months after an acute infection. An acute infection can progress to a chronic infection due to several risk factors, including the infected person’s age, gender, ethnicity, exposure to HIV, and conditions such as cancer, obesity, immunosuppression, etc.

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