
In this blog we will read about the hepatitis C virus and what is the test required for the diagnosis of the virus, this infection is very prevalent across the globe yet most people is not properly aware about this virus so...
According to the WHO globally around 50 million people have suffered from chronic hepatitis C virus and around 1 million new cases have been identified every year. Therefore based on the estimation you can get the idea about how prevalent this disease is.
What is Hepatitis C Virus Test
Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver caused by the hepatitis C virus. This virus is generally transferred to another person only by the infected blood such as sharing needle , blood transfusion etc.HCV test or hepatitis C virus test detects the presence of virus into the blood
Symptoms of the Hepatitis C
Symptoms are usually not seen in the first few weeks. Symptoms generally develop after 2 weeks to 6 months of exposure from the infection
- Fever
- Abdominal pain
- Dark urine
- Pale faeces
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea and vomiting
- swelling
Who Needs This Test
As the symptoms of these infections are not shown in the first few weeks of infections it only develops in the later stages, CDC ( centre for disease control and prevention) recommends every adult above the age of 18 should get this test done. This test is also recommended for the people who might have a high risk of developing this infection such as
- Pregnancy
- HIV
- Family history of HCV infection
- Drug use
- Blood transfusion
- Engaged in unprotectedintercourse with multiple partners
- Exposed to the vaccines infected with HCV
What Does the Test Results Indicates
- Positive: the positive results means that you have a antibodies for this virus and are exposed to HCV at some point in your life however other confirmatory tests needs to be done to confirm the diagnosis
- Negative: the negative test indicates that you don't have any antibodies for HCV in your body which means you're not exposed to hepatitis C virus.
Preparation for HCV Test
- No fasting is required for this test
- Tell your doctor if you are on any medications
- Stay hydrated and calm during the procedure
- Avoid the consumption of alcohol and smoking before the test
Procedure for HCV Test
- A lab technician will tie a rubber band around your arm to find the vein
- After this an alcohol swab is used to clean the area
- Then a sterile needle is inserted into a vein to draw a blood sample
- Then the collected blood sample is then sent to the lab for further analysis
Cost of HCV test in delhi
The average cost of HCV test is around 500-1000 Rs but ganesh diagnostic provide a discount upto 50% on most of our tests
So if your doctor recommends that you get this test done then you should get this test done as early as possible because if left untreated this virus can cause life threatening conditions. Choose ganesh diagnostic for your HCV test as we provide 100% accurate results we also have a special package for patient who are at very high risk of developing HCV infection
Frequently Asked Questions
What is HCV test?
This test detects the presence of antibodies for the HCV infection in the blood
What preparation are required for this test?
No, specific preparation is needed for this test
How much time is needed for the procedure?
The procedure for this test involves only 5-10 mins
Who should get this test done?
According to the CDC, Everyone above the age of 18 should get this done
Are there any risk is associated with this test?
No risk is associated with this test , one may feel a little pain when the needle is being inserted into the vein for blood sample collection
Why this test is important ?
This test allows for the early detection of a virus in your blood which allows the timely intervention for the infection.
What are the symptoms of HCV infection?
Dark urine, pale stool , abdominal pain, headache, nausea and vomiting are some common symptoms of this infection.