Regular screening and management help to prevent infections like hepatitis, which can damage your liver or affect its functionality. The infection can be acute or chronic depending on the type of infection. However, it is very contagious. That’s why it’s essential to manage them on time. Regular screening allows the detection of these infectious diseases earlier before they cause symptoms, which makes them easier to treat and lowers the damage to the liver. So, consult with your doctor about regular hepatitis screening to ensure good liver health. Log on to www.doralhw.org for a consultation.

Types of hepatitis test

Generally, hepatitis testing begins with a physical exam to evaluate the liver and detect the underlying cause of your symptoms. Depending on the patient’s symptoms, medical history, and results of a physical exam, the doctor may order other tests to determine the underlying cause of the patient’s condition.

As tests are used to diagnose, evaluate, and guide treatment for viral hepatitis, doctor tests usually depend on the suspected exposure to a specific type of viral hepatitis. So, if you’re unaware of the exposure, tests may be performed together as a part of an acute viral hepatitis panel. An acute viral hepatitis panel can be used to detect evidence of the 3 most common types including; hepatitis A, B, and C.

Viral hepatitis tests usually detect antibodies (after getting exposed to a virus, our body produces antibodies to fight off the virus), antigens (substances produced by the virus that activate immune response), or the genetic material of a hepatitis virus. Here’s a list of testing you can expect depending on the type of viral hepatitis you get exposed to or suspect of getting exposed to:

1. Hepatitis A testing: For hepatitis A exposure, the doctor may order blood tests to detect hepatitis A virus (HAV) antibodies in your body.
2. Hepatitis B testing: Similar to the hepatitis A test, the doctor may order a blood test to detect hepatitis B infection. Blood tests can detect antibodies, antigens, and genetic material of HBV (hepatitis B virus).
3. Hepatitis C testing: For hepatitis C, the doctor orders a blood test to detect antibodies and genetic material of HCV (hepatitis c virus).
4. Hepatitis D testing: Similar to hepatitis C, the doctor orders a blood test to detect antibodies and genetic material of HDV (hepatitis D virus).
5. Hepatitis E testing: For hepatitis E, the doctor orders a blood test to detect antibodies and genetic material of HEV (hepatitis E virus).

In case a non-infectious cause of hepatitis is suspected, a doctor may order other tests, including:

• Antinuclear antibody test: For this test, the doctor takes a blood sample to detect antibodies caused by some autoimmune disorders.
• Smooth Muscle Antibody (SMA): For this test, the doctor takes a blood sample to detect antibodies from autoimmune hepatitis.
• Anti-LKM-1 Antibody: For this test, the doctor takes a blood sample to check antibodies caused by autoimmune hepatitis.
• Antimitochondrial Antibody: For this test, the doctor takes a blood sample to detect antibodies in your body that may be caused by primary biliary cholangitis, a type of liver disease.

Besides these tests, some other tests are also used to diagnose hepatitis and evaluate liver damage (liver biopsy and imaging tests). A liver biopsy is used to find evidence of liver damage or disease by taking a small sample of liver tissue by using a needle to remove and examine under a microscope. Imaging tests such as ultrasounds, CT scans, MRIs, or X-rays produce detailed images of the liver to check liver damage or disease.

What do the test results mean?

Your test results tell whether you have hepatitis infection or not. A negative test result means you don’t have a hepatitis infection in your body. A positive result means you have a hepatitis infection or had an infection in the past.

For hepatitis A and B, your test results can tell whether you have a current or past infection, or you develop immunity due to vaccination.

If your test results show the signs of hepatitis C, you will need another test to find out if you’re infected now or had an infection in the past. As there is no vaccination for hepatitis C, you need more testing to confirm your diagnosis and see how hepatitis affects your liver. In case you have questions about your results, you should talk with your provider.

“Your health is in your hands, so ensure its safety by taking a screening test to prevent the risk of infections.” Need help with hepatitis infection, visit our infectious doctors in Brooklyn clinic to get professional treatment. Don’t make your body suffer more from the infection, get professional help by visiting our infectious disease specialists in our Brooklyn clinic. They listen to your concerns and treat you accordingly. Get free tips on how to stay safe from infectious diseases. Call us on +1-347-384-5690. If you need any information on infections, log on to www.doralhw.org  to get a consultation. We have the best doctors that can help you and improve your quality of life!