Hepatitis C (Hep C) is a viral infection that affects the liver and is caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV). Because many people with Hep C have no noticeable symptoms for years, the infection can go undetected until it leads to liver inflammation or long-term complications such as cirrhosis or liver cancer.
Hep C spreads through contact with infected blood, most commonly from shared needles, past transfusions, or, less often, certain types of sexual contact. Identifying exposure early is an important step in protecting your health, since timely follow-up testing and treatment can prevent serious liver damage.
What’s In This Test:
Hepatitis C Antibody (HCVa): This Hep C Antibody test checks your blood for HCV antibodies, proteins your immune system produces in response to the hepatitis C virus.
Unlike an HCV RNA test, which only shows an active HCV infection, this antibody test confirms whether you have been exposed to hepatitis C in the past.
Why This Test Matters:
The Hep C antibody test is the first and most important screening step in detecting hepatitis C. Because the virus often causes no symptoms for years, many people do not realize they’ve been exposed. Antibody testing helps uncover past exposure so you can take the next steps to protect your liver health.
CDC guidelines recommend antibody testing as the initial screening test for Hepatitis C, as it’s designed to answer the first essential question, “Have you ever been exposed to the Hep C virus?” If the antibody test is negative, you typically do not need any further testing.
Antibody testing is more cost-effective because RNA tests are typically more expensive and more complex to run. An antibody test is a simple, affordable way to determine whether you’ve ever been exposed to Hepatitis C. If the antibody test comes back positive, a confirmatory RNA test can then be ordered to check for an active infection, as not all positive antibody tests mean you have a current or active HCV infection. It could simply mean you were exposed to the virus previously and it has since been resolved.
How Hepatitis C Spreads:
Hepatitis C is transmitted through direct contact with blood from a person who has the virus. Today, most new infections occur through behaviours or situations where blood-to-blood exposure can happen. Key routes of transmission include:
Sharing needles, syringes, or other equipment used to inject drugs; the most common cause of new infections.
Receiving a blood transfusion or organ transplant before 1992, when screening for HCV became routine (risk is now extremely low).
Sharing items that may have small amounts of blood, such as razors, toothbrushes, or nail clippers.
Needle-stick injuries in healthcare settings.
Non-sterile tattooing or piercing equipment, particularly in unregulated settings.
Certain types of sexual contact, especially if blood is present, among people with HIV, or in rough or prolonged sexual activity.
Hepatitis C does not spread through casual contact such as hugging, kissing, sharing food or drinks, or using the same toilet.
Understanding how the virus spreads helps with prevention and early testing, both of which are essential because many people with Hep C don’t have symptoms for years.
After exposure, three possibilities exist:
Current infection: The virus is still in your bloodstream. This requires confirmation with an HCV RNA test.
Past, resolved infection: Your immune system may have cleared the virus naturally (this happens in about 20–25% of people).
Successfully treated infection: If you’ve received antiviral therapy in the past, antibodies will still remain even though the virus is gone.
What Your Results May Indicate:
Negative (Non-Reactive) Antibody Result:
No Hepatitis C antibodies were detected.
This usually means you have not been exposed to Hepatitis C. If exposure was very recent (within 6–12 weeks), antibodies may not be detectable yet. (For cases of recent exposure, an RNA test would need to be ordered to confirm an active infection)
Positive (Reactive) Antibody Result:
You have been exposed to Hepatitis C at some point.
This result does not confirm whether the infection is currently active. A confirmatory test will be performed on all positive Hepatitis C antibody results to provide more clarity about your current infection status.
A positive antibody test can indicate a current infection (virus still present and treatable), or a past, resolved infection (your body cleared the virus or you were previously treated). Please note, antibodies remain in your blood for life, even when the virus is no longer present.
Who Is at Higher Risk?
While anyone can be infected, risk increases with certain behaviours or exposures.
CDC Screening Recommendations for Hepatitis C
Adults born between 1945–1965
Anyone who has ever injected drugs, even once
People on long-term hemodialysis
Individuals with persistent abnormal liver tests
People with HIV
Recipients of blood products or organ transplants before 1992
Healthcare or occupational exposures to HCV-positive blood
Why You Shouldn’t Wait To Test:
When hepatitis goes undiagnosed, the virus can continue damaging the liver without you realising it, often for years. Because many people have few or no symptoms, the infection can quietly progress and lead to serious health complications, including:
Chronic liver inflammation: Ongoing inflammation gradually weakens the liver and reduces its ability to function properly.
Liver scarring (cirrhosis): Long-term damage can lead to scar tissue replacing healthy liver tissue. Cirrhosis is irreversible and can cause significant health problems.
Liver failure: As liver function declines, the body can no longer filter toxins, produce essential proteins, or support digestion, leading to life-threatening complications.
Liver cancer: Chronic hepatitis C significantly increases the risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma, the most common form of liver cancer.
Serious health symptoms over time: Untreated hepatitis can eventually cause jaundice, abdominal swelling, confusion, bleeding disorders, and extreme fatigue as the liver deteriorates.
Transmission to others: Without knowing your status, you may unintentionally put partners or household members at risk.
Delaying testing can leave you unsure about your health and unaware of a potential hepatitis infection that may already be affecting your liver. Because many people experience mild or no symptoms, waiting can allow silent damage to progress without your knowledge. Testing now provides clarity, helps protect your long-term liver health, and ensures you can take the right steps sooner rather than later. Early awareness empowers you to safeguard both yourself and those around you.
Who Should Consider This Test?
You may want to get tested if you believe you’ve been exposed to hepatitis, even if you feel completely well.
Testing is also recommended for anyone experiencing symptoms of liver inflammation, including:
Fever
Nausea or vomiting
Loss of appetite
Dark urine or pale stool
Jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)
Abdominal discomfort
Fatigue
Many people with hepatitis, especially hepatitis C, may have mild or no symptoms at all, sometimes for years. That’s why proactive testing is key.
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