Acute Hepatitis Screen
Also known as Acute Hepatitis Screen BloodWhat is this test?
Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver and can lead to scarring, cirrhosis or liver cancer. Hepatitis can be caused due to auto-immune diseases, alcohol or toxic substances. When a person is exposed to Hepatitis Virus, the body produces hepatitis antibodies. These antibodies develop 2 to 3 weeks after first being infected (and are detectable before the onset of symptoms) and lasts for about 3 to 6 months. Hepatitis A IgG antibodies are produced within 1 to 2 weeks of the IgM antibodies and usually persist for life. Hepatitis antibodies are the antibodies produced by the immune system to fight the hepatitis virus.
What are Antibodies and their types:
Antibodies are the protective proteins produced by the immune system and also known as immunoglobulins. Antibodies are produced when any foreign substance or virus or bacteria enters into the body. These foreign substances are known as antigens. Antibodies recognize and attach to the antigens in order to remove them from the body. There are five (5) subtypes of antibodies and they are IgG, IgM, IgA, IgD, IgE.
IgG provides long-term protection as it presents in the circulation for long period after the presence of an antigen. IgM enhances the ingestion of cells by phagocytosis. IgA is also the first defense for intestine, lungs, and nose. They bind antigens to the microbes before they invade tissues and keeps antigens in secretion and when secretion is expelled, antigens are also expelled. IgD helps in the induction of antibody production and presents on the surface of B-cells. IgE binds to the basophils and mast- cells.
Why This Test Is Performed:
This test is performed to check the presence of Hepatitis A and B Antibodies in the blood and also to find the presence of Hepatitis C virus in the blood of an individual. The doctor may ask you to undergo this test if you are suffering from symptoms such as abdominal pain, joint pains, muscle pains, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, yellow skin and eyes, itching, dark urine etc. If an individual is on the treatment for Hepatitis A or B or C virus HAV, HBV, HCV then the doctor may ask to perform this test to evaluate and to check the effectiveness of the treatment.
How Often This Test Should Be Performed:
If you have been diagnosed with HAV or HBV or HCV, your doctor may advise you to get this test done once in a year based on your clinical condition. If you are a healthy individual above the age of 35, your doctor may advise you to undergo this test either on a yearly basis or every other year.
Pathology Test Parameters:
Acute Hepatitis Screen Blood Test has the following components- Hepatitis A Antibody IgG, Hepatitis A Antibody IgM, HCV viral load, Hepatitis B Surface antigen HBsAg and Anti Hepatitis B Core Antigen IgM Anti-HBcAg IgM.
Precautions:
Some medications may change the levels of antibodies in the blood and hence you are advised to inform all your current medications to the doctor prior to the test. Rheumatoid factor can give rise to false positive results.
Test Preparation
Inform your doctor if you are on any medications, have any allergies or underlying medical conditions before your Acute Hepatitis Screen. Your doctor will give specific instructions depending on your condition on how to prepare for Acute Hepatitis Screen.
There are no specific preparations required for this test.
Understanding your test results
Generally, there is no need for medical interventions if test results are in normal range.
The test results may be different depending on gender, age, health conditions, and other factors.
If the test results are negative it may indicate that there is no Hepatitis A Antibodies IgG, IgM and Hepatitis B Core and Surface antigens and HCV in the blood and no infection of Acute Hepatitis A, B and C HAV, HBV, HCV
In case the test results are positive it may indicate that there are Hepatitis A Antibodies IgG, IgM, and Hepatitis B Core and Surface antigens and HCV in the blood and may be an infection of Acute Hepatitis A, B and C HAV, HBV, HCV
Based on the test results, your doctor may advise appropriate medical treatments, lifestyle modifications, or further diagnostic tests.
| Gender | Age groups | Value |
| UNISEX | All age groups | Normally, Hepatitis A antibodies are absent |
| UNISEX | All age groups | Normally, Hepatitis A antibodies are absent |
| UNISEX | All age groups | Normally, HCV is absent |
| UNISEX | All age groups | Normally, Hepatitis B Core antibodies are absent |
| UNISEX | All age groups | Normally, Hepatitis B surface Antigen is absent |