Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Antibody near me in Pune
Understanding Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Antibody in Pune
What is Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Antibody in Pune?
The Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Antibody is a blood test used to detect the presence of antibodies that the body makes against the hepatitis C virus (HCV), which primarily affects the liver. This test helps determine whether an individual has a current or past hepatitis C infection. It is widely available at an affordable price with Tata 1mg labs in Pune, Getting tested helps in timely intervention, guiding treatment decisions, and preventing the progression of the HCV infection.
No special preparation is needed for this test. However, it's advisable to refrain from consuming alcohol before the test, as alcohol can impact liver function and potentially affect the test results.
What does Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Antibody measure?
The Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Antibody test determines the status of current hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection or past HCV infection that has been resolved. This test, therefore, helps your doctor to guide an appropriate treatment plan. HCV causes liver inflammation and is classified into acute hepatitis infection and chronic hepatitis infection.
- Acute hepatitis C: This occurs in the first six months after exposure to the hepatitis C virus. In the early stage of the infection, acute hepatitis C is mild and may cause no symptoms. For this reason, most people do not know they have this infection.
- Chronic hepatitis C: If your body is unable to fight off the virus, you can develop a chronic hepatitis C infection. Progression from acute to chronic hepatitis C is common, occurring in about 75-85% of patients. Detecting chronic hepatitis C at the early stage is important to prevent future complications, such as liver failure, and initiate effective treatment.
The Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Antibody test is used for screening for anti-HCV antibodies. A reactive result needs to be confirmed by other more specific NAT/ nucleic acid tests before final diagnosis.