Hepatitis E Profile Blood

This test is used to find out the Hepatitis E Virus Antibodies and Hepatitis E Virus Antigens in the blood.

What is Hepatitis, Hepatitis E Antibodies, and Antigens:

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 E Virus HEV, the body produces hepatitis E antibodies. These antibodies appear within a few days of infection and remain positive up to several years. Hepatitis E is similar to the Hepatitis A.

Hepatitis E Antibodies are the antibodies produced by the immune system to fight the hepatitis E virus. 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.

Hepatitis E Antigen is a protein from the Hepatitis E Virus (HEV). It is circulated in the infected blood when the virus multiplies. The presence of hepatitis E antigens in the blood means that HEV is multiplying in your liver. HEV Antigens in the blood indicates that you are infected with Hepatitis E infection and can spread the virus.

Why This Test is Performed:

This test is performed to check the presence of Hepatitis E Antibodies and antigens in the blood. 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.

This test is also done to detect the past HEV infections and to determine if an individual has developed immunity for past HEV infections. If an individual is on the treatment for Hepatitis E virus HEV 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:

This test should be done after 15-45 days of infection. If you have been diagnosed with HEV, 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.

Precautions:

Some medications may change the test results and hence you are advised to inform all your current medications to the doctor prior to the test.

Pathology Test Parameters:

Hepatitis E Profile Blood Test has the following components- Hepatitis E Virus Antibodies and Hepatitis E Virus Antigens.

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 are no Hepatitis E Antibodies and antigens in the blood and hence there is no Hepatitis E Virus HEV in the blood and therefore no infection of Hepatitis E Virus HEV.

In case the test results are positive it may indicate that there are Hepatitis E Antibodies and antigens in the blood and hence there is a chance for the presence of Hepatitis E Virus HEV in the blood.

Based on the test results, your doctor may advise appropriate medical treatments, lifestyle modifications, or further diagnostic tests.