Testing for Hepatitis C

FAQ About Hepatitis C Testing

You may not think of an STD as being “sneaky,” but that’s exactly how many people would describe hepatitis C. This viral infection often doesn’t cause any symptoms, which means you could be infected and not even know it. The American Liver Foundation estimates that as many as 75% of people with hepatitis C are unaware of infection. This is why testing for hepatitis C is so important.

It’s also critical to get tested because cases of hepatitis C are spreading at an alarming rate. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, hepatitis C infections have more than doubled since 2013 and increased by 15% since 2019. Data show that people aged 20 to 39 years have the highest risk of developing acute hepatitis C.

How does hepatitis C affect the body, and what should you do if you think you’re infected? Below, we go over the benefits of testing, plus some risk factors for hepatitis C.

Why Hepatitis C Testing Is Crucial for Everyone Over 18

The CDC recommends that everyone over the age of 18 get tested for the hepatitis C virus (HCV) at least once in their lives. Nobody likes having their blood drawn, but the alternative (liver failure) is far worse. Other perks of testing for hepatitis C include:

  • Testing can detect whether you have the virus even if you don’t show symptoms.
  • The test is easy and quick (it usually takes just a couple of minutes or less, and you get the results in a few days).
  • Antibody-based tests allow you to test yourself at home.
  • You’ll protect your sexual partners, family, and friends.
  • The sooner you know your results, the sooner you can start treatment. Treatment can help prevent liver failure and cirrhosis.

Still not convinced? You should get tested if you fall into one of these risk groups:

  • You were born to a mother who had HCV
  • You’re pregnant
  • You’re on kidney dialysis
  • You have HIV
  • You have ever injected drugs, even if it happened a long time ago
  • You work in health care or another field that regularly exposes you to needles that could be infected with the virus
  • You received blood from a donor who later tested positive for hepatitis C
  • You received an organ transplant or blood transfusion before July 1992
  • You received clotting factor concentrates made before 1987
  • You have abnormal alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels

It’s extremely important to seek testing if you’re pregnant. If you’re infected, you can pass the infection to your baby during birth. The fetus can also develop an infection while still in the womb. Infants who get infected with the virus may have lifelong liver problems.

To avoid this, your doctor will recommend STD testing at least once during your prenatal appointments. If you test positive, you can start treatment to reduce the chance of passing hepatitis C to your baby.

If you have any symptoms of hepatitis C, it’s a good idea to order a rapid STD test. Symptoms can differ somewhat depending on whether you’re in the acute or chronic phase of the infection.

Acute hepatitis C symptoms, if you have any, may include nausea, fever, fatigue, and muscle aches. Some people liken it to feeling as though you have the flu.

Chronic hepatitis C systems typically take months to years to develop. They can include:

  • A loss of appetite
  • Bruising or bleeding easily
  • Fatigue
  • Itchy skin
  • Weight loss
  • Swelling in the legs
  • Fluid buildup in the stomach (ascites)
  • Dark-colored urine
  • Yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice)
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Decoding Hepatitis C Testing Results: What Do They Really Mean?

If you notice any of the above symptoms or suspect that you may have come into contact with infected blood or other bodily fluids, it’s important to get tested for hepatitis C as soon as possible. If you fail to do so, the infection could progress to cirrhosis and liver failure, which may be fatal.

The first test available to you is a blood test called the ELISA screen. This test looks for anti-HCV antibodies in your blood. The test is simple and safe, and the only side effect you might experience is a bit of soreness at the site of the blood draw.

If you get a positive (reactive) result, it means you may have been infected with hepatitis C. However, false positives are not uncommon. They happen for a few reasons:

  • Babies born to mothers with HCV will have antibodies in their blood, but this doesn’t mean they’re infected.
  • Some conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, can trigger a false positive.
  • HCV antibodies remain in your blood even after clearing the virus. Even though you have them, it doesn’t mean you’re infected.

If your blood test is negative, you don’t have hepatitis C. Sometimes, though, a negative result can be wrong. This may happen if:

  • You took the test too soon after you were exposed to the virus. The test looks for antibodies, and it can take your body several months after exposure to develop them.
  • You get kidney hemodialysis
  • You’ve received a donor organ
  • You have HIV or another condition that affects your immune system, which could suppress hepatitis C antibodies

If your test is negative and you were exposed to the virus within the past six months, you’ll need to have another test later to verify the results.

If you test positive, your doctor will ask you to take an RNA test. This test measures how much viral RNA (genetic material from the hepatitis virus) is in your blood. RNA testing is almost 100% accurate at detecting the virus within a few weeks of exposure.

If you test positive, you have an active hepatitis C infection, and your doctor will want to begin treatment. It is possible to get a false positive result with RNA tests, but this is rare.

If your RNA test is negative, but you’re still concerned that the result may be wrong, you can ask your doctor for a qualitative RNA test. This test can detect extremely small amounts of the HCV virus, making it even more accurate than the RNA viral load test.

Concerned about the cost of testing? Under the Affordable Care Act, most insurance plans must cover a one-time hepatitis C test for people aged 18 to 79, as well as periodic screening for people who have a continued risk of contracting the infection. Insurance plans may cover RNA testing as well. The cost of an RNA test ranges from $15 to over $400.

Beyond Blood Tests: Additional Diagnostic Procedures

Your doctor will want to perform further testing if you have hepatitis C. These tests are necessary to keep an eye on your liver function. Health insurance companies may require certain tests as well.

Your doctor can use liver function tests to measure the level of enzymes and proteins in your liver. Liver enzymes typically rise seven to eight weeks after infection, and if your liver becomes damaged, those enzymes can spill into your blood.

Your doctor will also want to perform genotype tests to see which of the hepatitis C genotypes you have. There are six genotypes, but in the U.S., genotypes one, two, and three are most common. Doctors will use the results of this test to determine which medications to prescribe and how long you’ll need to take them.

Periodically, you must undergo testing to see how well your liver functions. Your doctor can check liver function in one of several ways.

Imaging tests are a common way to examine liver function. These tests include transient elastography, CT scans, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and magnetic resonance elastography (MRE). They show your doctor what your liver looks like and measure how stiff it is. All of these tests are very safe and have virtually no side effects.

If your doctor can’t get a clear result from an imaging test, they may order a liver biopsy. This procedure involves inserting a small needle into your liver to take a tiny sample of tissue before sending that sample to a lab for testing.

Biopsies don’t usually cause side effects other than some soreness at the site where the doctor took the sample. However, in some cases, you may develop an infection or experience abnormal bleeding that requires a blood transfusion. To avoid an infection at the biopsy site, be sure to keep the area clean and dry.

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Order Hepatitis C Testing Online Now

Hepatitis C doesn’t always cause symptoms, which means if you’ve been infected, you may not even know you have the disease. If symptoms develop, they can include fatigue, nausea, a loss of appetite, joint pain, pale-colored school, and yellowing of the eyes and skin (jaundice).

Do you have hepatitis C symptoms or suspect that you may have contracted the virus? Often, the only way to know for sure is by getting a test, such as a 10-panel STD test.

Rapid STD Testing offers a convenient way to order and schedule testing for hepatitis C. It’s quick, discreet, and easy — just visit a local lab, and you’ll get the results in two days or less. If you get a positive result, you may consult your doctor for treatment.

Order same-day STD testing now or call us at (866) 872-1888 to find a lab near you.

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