If you think you may have been exposed to hepatitis C, taking a test will either put your mind at rest or (if the test is positive) enable you to start treatment early.
Your GP, sexual health clinic, GUM (genitourinary medicine) clinic or drug treatment service all offer testing for hepatitis C.
Testing for hepatitis C
Hepatitis C is diagnosed via two blood tests:
- the antibody test, and
- the PCR test.
The antibody test
This blood test determines whether you have ever been exposed to the hepatitis C virus by testing for the presence of antibodies to the virus.
Antibodies are proteins produced by your immune system to fight invading particles, such as viruses, when they enter your blood.
The test will not show a positive reaction for some months after being infected, as your body takes time to make these antibodies.
If the antibody test comes back negative but you have had symptoms or have been exposed to hepatitis C, you may be advised to have the test again.
A positive test (showing antibodies) indicates that you have been infected at some stage. It does not necessarily mean you are currently infected, as you may have since cleared the virus from your body.
The only way to tell if you are currently infected is to have a second blood test, the PCR test.
The PCR test
This blood test checks if the virus is still present by detecting whether it is reproducing inside your body.
A positive test (often reported as 'detectable' or 'detected') means your body has not fought off the virus and the infection has progressed to a chronic (long-term) stage.
Test results usually come back within two weeks.
Other tests and referral
If you are found to have the virus, your GP may advise other tests to check for damage to your liver. These include liver function tests, which measure certain enzymes and proteins in your bloodstream that indicate whether your liver is damaged or severely inflamed.
Your GP will also organise a referral to a specialist centre for assessment and to discuss treatment. The specialist will request further investigations to fully assess the extent of liver damage, including blood tests and scans of the liver and abdomen.
The amount of liver damage can also be assessed by taking a sample of your liver tissue for examination. This is called a liver biopsy, and involves passing a hollow fine needle through the skin into your liver. The cells are then examined under a microscope to assess the amount of liver damage and cirrhosis (scarring). The specialist will advise you about the need for a liver biopsy - a biopsy is not always necessary before treatment.
