hepatitis c test

Hepatitis C is an infectious disease of the liver caused by hepatitis C virus (HCV). During the primary stage of infection, there is mild or no symptoms associated with the disease and as the disease progresses into chronic infection the symptoms become noticeable and acute symptoms are noticed in about 15%v of cases.

Hepatitis C virus infection can lead to liver disease and sometime cirrhosis, and people suffering from cirrhosis can develop complications like liver, failure, liver cancer and dilated blood vessels in the stomach and oesophagus.

Hepatitis C is more prevalent in young people and the hepatitis C virus usually spreads through blood to blood contact like in the case of intravenous drug use, poorly sterilized medical equipment, needlestick injuries and transfusions. Hepatitis C can also be passed down from an infected mother to its baby during child birth. Hepatitis C is also spread through sex with an infected person.

In many cases, hepatitis C does not show any symptoms, while in some cases HCV can result in severe symptoms. Some of the common hepatitis C symptoms are as follows;

• Jaundice
• Stomach pain
• Decreased appetite
• Nausea
• Fatigue

The hepatitis C treatment depends upon several factors like the type of hepatitis C virus infection. There are six types of hepatitis C virus and are named Genotype 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and Genotype 6. Genotype 1 is believed to be the most common type of hepatitis C virus. 

The hepatitis C disease is mainly treated with various types of medications to counter the HCV and eliminate them out of the body. The Hepatitis C treatment cost in India is variable due to numerous factors like the type of medication being used, its quality and availability, city, etc. 

Hepatitis C Test is a blood test that is used for the detection of the Hepatitis C virus. There are several types of Hepatitis C test that is used by doctors for the diagnosis of Hepatitis C. The varied Hepatitis C tests are;

Hepatitis C Antibody Test : Hepatitis C antibody test is used by doctors to ascertain whether or not a person has been affected by the HCV at any point of his/her life by detecting Hepatitis C antibodies in the blood.

Hepatitis C RNA Qualitative Test : Also referred to as PCR test, this test screens for current infection of the virus.

Hepatitis C RNA Quantitative Test:  As the name suggests it is a quantitative test and measures the amount of Hepatitis C virus in the body. The Hepatitis C RNA Quantitative Test is also referred to as ‘viral load’ test.

Hepatitis C virus primarily attacks the liver, which performs a number of crucial function in the body; and the HCV kills of healthy cells in the liver causing damage and destruction of the liver, thereby, hampering many vital functions of the body. As such it is extremely important to get tested for Hepatitis C virus, as the sooner the HCV is detected, the sooner will the treatment start to eliminate and kill the virus. 

The Hepatitis C antibody test is a blood test that assess the amount of antibodies in the blood. The test requires simple blood sample that is usually drawn out from a vein in the forearm. Apart from that there is no special requirement needed.

There is no Hepatitis C normal range in Hepatitis C blood test as the hepatitis test reports are read in terms of positive or negative.

Hepatitis C test only require basic blood sample, which can also be collected from help to get the test done; and to help you do so is our highly reliable and well established at – home healthcare services, wherein you can not only get Hepatitis C home test but, can also get doctor’s consultation at home. So, you needn’t have to worry of getting tested, collecting the hepatitis test reports and then running to a doctors. As we have designed our at – home healthcare services keeping the comfort of patients at mind. So, if you need Hepatitis C home test done or hepatitis C treatment at home or any other healthcare services at home just give us a call and we will be there at your service.