Hepatitis C Antibody, Remote exposure

The clinical symptoms of an HCV infection are variable. Infection with HCV results in a chronic infection in 50 to 80% of cases. The window between HCV acquisition and sero-reactivity is highly variable; up to six months.

Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) is one of the several viruses that cause hepatitis. It is severely contagious, being spread mostly through unprotected sex and contaminated blood. Hepatitis is a form of liver inflammation and enlargement which can lead to cirrhosis, liver failure and liver cancer. The HCV antibody test measures the antibodies in the blood against HCV. This test is useful to measure the immunity to HCV, 1 to 6 months after exposure. It is also a useful test in an acute hepatitis panel screen, where the exact cause of hepatitis is not yet known. It is important to diagnose HCV early since it runs a chronic course and is difficult to treat.

This test is performed in following conditions such as:

• Jaundice
• Fever
• Fatigue
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea and vomiting
• Dark urine and/or pale colored stool
• Abdominal pain