Are there tests to determine whether or not a person has cleared hepatitis C?
AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts:Yes. If a person has a positive antibody test, he or she should then have a viral test. This is usually called a PCR test. This type of test is looking for the actual virus, rather than the antibodies and can tell if there is any hepatitis C in that person's body. If the PCR test is negative, that means that the person has cleared the virus and is no longer infected. If the PCR test is positive, that means that the person still has active hepatitis C.
Related Questionswhat is hepatitis c?
FAQHepatitis C Virus (HCV) is spread mostly from contact with infected blood, such as a blood transfusion (before 1992), kidney dialysis, or through injecting drug use. It is rarely sexually transmitted, although sex with multiple partners or a history of sexually transmitted diseases can put people at risk for it. The virus can enter the body through minor cuts or scrapes by razors, toothbrushes or on needles used for tattooing, body piercing or on materials used to snort drugs.
Related QuestionsHepatitis C Check - Frequently Asked QuestionsHepatitis C is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV), which is found in an infected person's blood. Hepatitis C is a serious disease. Many people may carry the virus for the rest of their lives. Infected people can develop liver damage, but do not necessarily feel sick. Even those who develop a persistent infection may not show symptoms until there is severe liver damage.Related Questions
AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts:Although Hepatitis A, B, and C are all viruses that damage the liver, they are all different and otherwise unrelated. Hepatitis A is spread through ingesting fecal matter (e.g. through changing diapers and not washing hands, performing oral to anal sex, eating contaminated food or drinking contaminated water, etc.). It is an acute infection that can make people extremely sick shortly after contracting the disease. Once people clear the virus, they cannot be reinfected.Related Questions
How often should I apply for hepatitis C tests?
Hepatitis C Testing - Hepatitis C Home Test KitIt can take up to six months for your blood to develop antibodies to the hepatitis C virus. Hepatitis C CheckSM Test Service may not detect more recent infections. We recommend you take the test six months or more AFTER you have been exposed to hepatitis C virus.
Related QuestionsAre the hepatitis C tests accurate?
Hepatitis C Testing - Hepatitis C Home Test KitYes, hepatitis C test has been proven to be more than 99% effective in studies with people who are not trained medically, in comparison to a test performed by a medical professional. To ensure the best results, be sure to follow instructions carefully.
Related QuestionsWhat are the tests for hepatitis C?
Hepatitis Week -- Your Online Hepatitis NewsletterTo check for hepatitis C, the doctor will test your blood. There are several blood tests that can be done to determine if you have been infected with HCV. Your doctor may order just one or a combination of these tests. They include: Anti-HCV (antibody to HCV).This test does not tell whether the infection is new (acute), chronic (long-term) or is no longer present. A single positive PCR test indicates infection with HCV. A single negative test does not prove that a person is not infected.
Related QuestionsWhat Do I Need to Know About Hepatitis C?The doctor will take some blood to check for hepatitis C. To check for hepatitis C, the doctor will test your blood. These tests show if you have hepatitis C and how serious it is. The doctor may also do a liver biopsy. Biopsy (BYE-op-see) is a simple test. The doctor removes a tiny piece of your liver through a needle. The doctor checks the piece of liver for signs of hepatitis C and liver damage.Related Questions
How could a person have gotten hepatitis C?
Hepatitis C Information - Support resource about symptoms, l...HCV is spread primarily by direct contact with human blood. For example, you may have gotten infected with HCV if: you ever injected street drugs, as the needles and/or other drug "works" used to prepare or inject the drug(s) may have had someone else's blood that contained HCV on them. you were ever on long-term kidney dialysis as you may have unknowingly shared supplies/equipment that had someone else's blood on them.
Related QuestionsIs It Necessary to Do Genotyping When Managing a Person with Chronic Hepatitis C?
Hepatitis C: Frequently Asked QuestionsYes, as there are 6 known genotypes and more than 50 subtypes of HCV, and genotype information is helpful in defining the epidemiology of hepatitis C. Knowing the genotype or serotype (genotype-specific antibodies) of HCV is helpful in making recommendations and counseling regarding therapy. Patients with genotypes 2 and 3 are almost three times more likely than patients with genotype 1 to respond to therapy with alpha interferon or the combination of alpha interferon and ribavirin.
Related QuestionsWhat are the symptoms of hepatitis C?
AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts:In most cases, people infected with hepatitis C experience no symptoms. Hepatitis C is a very slow moving virus, so symptoms my not even present themselves for 20 years or longer. The most common symptoms of hepatitis C are fatigue, nausea, abdominal pain, muscle or joint pain, and jaundice (a yellowing of the eyes, skin, and mucous membranes).
Related QuestionsHow is hepatitis C transmitted?
AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts:Hepatitis C is a blood borne virus, and is transmitted through direct blood-to-blood contact. The most common ways for hepatitis C to be transmitted is through sharing needles with an infected person, having had a blood transfusion prior to 1992, sharing personal care items such has razors that could have infected blood on them, and from mother to child during childbirth. in rare cases, hepatitis C can be transmitted through sex.
Related QuestionsHow easy is it to get hepatitis C from sex?
AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts:It is possible to transmit hepatitis C through sex, but it is not an efficient transmission method. It is much more likely to get hepatitis C through sharing needles or "works", or having had a blood transfusion before 1992. Having a sexually transmitted disease or having sex that involves blood can increase the risk of getting hepatitis C through sex.
Related QuestionsIf people get hepatitis C, will they always have it?
AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts:Hepatitis C is interesting in that about 15% of people who get the infection can clear the virus completely out of their bodies naturally within the first 6 months of their infection. This means that those people are no longer infected and can no longer spread the virus to other people. However, 85% of people with hepatitis C will become chronic carriers. These people will always be capable of transmitting the virus to others through blood.
Related QuestionsCan people become reinfected with hepatitis C?
AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts:Yes. People who have cleared the virus either naturally or through medication can become infected again. Also, people who have active hepatitis C can become infected with additional genotypes (strains) of hepatitis C.
Related QuestionsWhen was hepatitis C first discovered?
AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts:Doctors and scientists recognized a type of hepatitis in the early 1970's that they called Non-A, non-B hepatitis. In 1987, they discovered that it was a unique virus and named it Hepatitis C.
Related QuestionsHow can people find out if they have hepatitis C?
AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts:Since 1992, antibody tests have been available to determine if people have been infected. Today, people can have these tests performed at their doctors' offices. For people with no insurance, there are some clinics that can also perform the tests for free or reduced fees. For people who would like to get tested, it is a good idea to wait between 3-6 months from the last time they had a risk of infection before they go in for the test.
Related QuestionsWhat are some things that someone with hepatitis C should avoid?
AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts:Avoiding alcohol (even small amounts) is extremely important. Tylenol and other over-the-counter and prescription drugs can also cause liver damage. High iron diets can cause damage. Good nutrition, exercise, and sleep are helpful in keeping the liver healthy.
Related QuestionsWhat is the difference between Hepatitis A, B, and C?
FAQHepatitis A (HAV) is caused by a virus found in feces (people's stool). You can get it by coming in contact with infected feces. The most common way is by swallowing food or liquids that get contaminated by hands that are not washed thoroughly after using the toilet. You can also get Hepatitis A through sexual acts like 'rimming' (licking someone's anus) or via oral sex on a male's penis after he has had anal sex.
Related QuestionsFrequently Asked Questions About Hepatitis CHepatitis C virus is transmitted through contact with an infected person's blood. The following list describes possible sources of hepatitis C transmission: Sexual transmission (rare). Note: The risk of sexual transmission to an individual is probably less than 3-6% when a person is in a stable, single partner relationship over 20 years. Other possible risk behaviors include tattoos, body piercing, folk medicine or using intranasal cocaine.Related Questions
What is the treatment for chronic hepatitis C?
Frequently Asked Questions About Viral HepatitisSOURCE: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Health Topics A-Z: Hepatitis (Viral) "Hepatitis A FAQ", "Hepatitis B FAQ", Hepatitis C FAQ"
Related QuestionsFAQ Hepatitis C - VISN 17 - VA North Texas Health Care Syste...You used a contaminated needle to inject drugs, like heroin or cocaine, only if it was only once, many years ago. You were a health care worker and had contact with blood in the workplace, especially through needle stick injuries. You had sex with a person infected with HCV or had many sex partners. While the risk of getting HCV by having sex is low, it is still possible.Related Questions
How can you tell if someone is infected with Hepatitis C?
Hepatitis C Check - Frequently Asked QuestionsOnly with a blood test. A person can be Hepatitis C -infected for many years while looking and feeling healthy, with no signs at all of being sick.
Related QuestionsIs hepatitis C contagious?
Hepatitis C Check - Frequently Asked QuestionsYes. Usually the hepatitis C virus is spread from one person to another by direct exposure to infected blood or blood products, and contaminated needles or other sharp objects. Occasionally, the hepatitis C virus may be spread by: 1.) an infected mother to her newborn; 2.) sharing household objects with an infected household member. Do not share items that may be contaminated with blood such as razors and toothbrushes.; or 3.) sexual contact.
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