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Background - Patient Info - Health Provider Info FAQ & Answers - Only $59.96 - See Listing Hepatitis
C Testing FAQ and ANSWERS: 1. How can you tell if someone is infected with Hepatitis C? The only way to tell is with a blood test. A person can be infected with Hepatitis C for many years without any symptoms while looking and feeling healthy the whole time. 2. Can you have a “false positive” test result? Yes, a false positive test means the test looks as if it is positive, but it is really negative. This happens more often in people who have a low risk for the disease. It is important to confirm the test result a second time. 3. Can you have a “false negative” test result? Yes, this happens when the person tested may have an early infection. He or she may not have developed antibody levels high enough that the test can measure. In addition, some people may lack the immune response necessary for the test to work well. 4. How long after exposure to HCV does it take to test positive for the antibodies? HCV antibodies can be detected within 3 months after symptoms begin. However, it is important to keep in mind that most people who have Hepatitis C show no signs or symptoms. 5. What is the next step if you have a confirmed positive anti-HCV test? A healthcare professional should evaluate the test result and further examine the patient. He or she should order a blood test to measure the ALT (alanine aminotransferase) and AST (aspartate aminotransferase) liver enzyme levels. An elevated ALT indicates inflammation of the liver and the patient should be checked further for chronic (long-term) liver disease and possible treatment. 6. Can you have a normal liver enzyme level and still have chronic Hepatitis C? Yes, it is common to see the liver enzyme level fluctuates for persons with chronic hepatitis C. If the liver enzyme level is normal, persons should have their enzyme level rechecked several times over a 6-12 month period. If it continues to remain normal, the doctor can check it less frequently, such as once a year. 7. Is there any evidence that HCV has been spread during medical or dental procedures done in the United States? The medical and dental procedures performed in most settings in the United States do not pose a risk for the spread of HCV. There are some reports that HCV has been spread between patients in hemodialysis units where supplies or equipment may have been shared between patients.
8. Since more advanced test have been developed for use in blood banks, what is the chance now that a person can get HCV infection from transfused blood or blood products? The chance of getting an HCV infection is less than 1 chance per million units transfused. 9. Can HCV be spread within a household? Yes, but this does not happen very often. If HCV is spread within a household, it is most likely due to direct exposure to the blood of an infected household member. 10. What is the risk that HCV infected women will spread HCV to their newborn infants? The chances are about 5 out of every 100 infants born to HCV infected mother become infected. This happens at the time of birth and there is no treatment that can prevent this from happening. Most infants infected with HCV at the time of birth do not show any signs or symptoms and usually do well during childhood. 11. Should a woman with Hepatitis C be advised against breast-feeding? No, there is no evidence that indicates the virus is transmitted through breast-feeding. However, if the mother’s nipples are cracked or bleeding, then they are recommended to abstain from breast-feeding. 12. How can persons infected with HCV prevent spreading HCV to others? People with HCV infection should not donate blood, body organs, other tissue, or semen. They should not share personal items that might have blood on them, such as toothbrushes, dental appliances, nail-grooming equipment, or razors. They should also cover the cuts and any skin sores or open wounds to keep from spreading HCV. 13. What can persons with HCV infection do to protect their liver? They should stop drinking alcohol if they are drinking any. It is recommended to see the primarily doctor at a regular basis. Persons with HCV infection should not start any new medications or use any over-the-counter (OTC) or herbal products without a physician’s knowledge. Vaccinations for Hepatitis A and B should be taken if liver damage is present. 14. What are the chances of persons with HCV infection developing long-term infection, chronic liver disease, cirrhosis, liver cancer, or dying as a result of Hepatitis C? Of every 100 persons infected with HCV about: · 75 to 85 persons may develop long-term infection · 70 persons may develop chronic liver disease · 15 persons may develop cirrhosis over a period of 20-30 years · Less than 3% of persons may die from the consequences of long-term infection (liver cancer or cirrhosis) 15. Can I get a copy of my test results in writing? Yes, you must first obtain your results over the phone. Then send a self-addressed stamped envelope along with a written request noting your code number to:
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NOTE: California Residents - Business and Professions Code 1246.5 Requires That Any Test that has not been approved by the Federal Food and Drug Administration for sale to the public without a prescription as an Over-The-Counter Test kit must be ordered by a Licensed physician acting on a patient's behalf. All orders for test kits within the state of California NOTE: New York State Residents New York State health law prohibits the testing of certain specimens collected in or mailed from New York, and prohibits the transmission of data from our laboratory to NY physicians or residents. Therefore, direct receipt of lab results for NY residents is not possible. International Residents & Orders: Extra shipping charges may be added for international orders. Patients will be contacted by e-mail or telephone to approve charges. |
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