Testing for Hepatitis C
How can I find out I have Hepatitis C?
You can find out if you have been exposed to the Heaptitis C virus by having a routine blood test. As some people naturally clear the virus from their system, the initial testing will only indicate whether or not there has been an exposure. This is because the initial testing process looks for anitbodies in the blood. Even if the virus has already been cleared there will still be antibodies present. If initial tests come back positive, further testing, known as a PCR test, will need to be done in order to determine if the virus is still present.
Where can I get Tested?
Testing is readily available and is strictly confidential. Your regular GP can arrange it. If, for any reason, you don't feel comfortable asking your GP most community health services offer testing services. Testing is strictly confidential.
What can I expect when i get tested?
In most cases, results of the blood test are available in a week. Best practice says that you should only be tested for hepatitis C after giving your informed consent and that everyone getting a hepatitis C test should be offered Pre & Post Test Counselling.
Pre Test Counselling
A qualified person should be available to answer any questions you may have CONFIDENTIALLY. This may include:
- explaining the testing process to you;
- helping you assess your risk of having or getting hepatitis C;
- explaining how hepatitis C is transmitted;
- explaining how you might best protect yourself in the future;
- helping you prepare for the test results.
You'll need to make an appointment to return in about a week's time to receive your results.
Post Test Counselling (if the results are negative)
Your provider will explain what your results indicate and will offer you information on "how to stay this way"; that is; prevent getting hepatitis C or putting yourself at risk in the future. You may want to consider returning for another test in a few weeks. There is a window period for hepatitis C antibodies to develop in the body. If transmission has occurred because of a recent exposure risk, the antibodies may not be detectable yet.
Post test Counselling (if the results are positive)
A positive result means that you have been exposed to the hepatitis C virus. Further testing will be needed to determine weather or not the virus has been cleared naturally from the body. (Antibodies will remain present after the virus has cleared). Your provider will be able to offer you information about this as well as treatments, sources of support and general advice. Often a lot of this information isn't absorbed initially and further counselling is advisable.
Summary of common tests
|
Test
|
Aim
|
Method
|
|
Antibody test
|
To see if you have been
exposed to the virus
|
Blood test
|
|
PCR test
|
To find out if your viral load,
viral genotype or if your
body has cleared the virus
|
Blood test
|
|
Liver function test
|
To assess if your liver
function has been impaired
by the virus
|
Blood test
|
|
Liver biopsy
|
To assess the level of
damage to your liver
|
Small sample of liver
is taken for testing
|