Hepatitis Testing
What are the different types of Herpes?
Hepatitis B (HBV)
Hepatitis B (HBV) is a serious disease caused by a virus that attacks the liver.HBV
can cause lifelong infection, cirrhosis (scarring) of the liver, liver cancer, liver
failure and death. About 30% of all persons infected with HBV have no signs or symptoms
while at the same time, signs and symptoms are less common in children than adults.
Some of the more common signs and symptoms that are associated with HBV include
jaundice, fatigue, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting and joint
pain.
Hepatitis C (HCV)
Hepatitis C is a disease of the liver caused by the Hepatitis C virus (HCV). Studies
show that 80% of all persons infected with HCV have no signs or symptoms. Some of
the signs or symptoms, if evident, would be jaundice, fatigue, dark urine, abdominal
pain, loss of appetite and nausea.
What are the symptoms of Hepatitis?
Did you know that a person can be infected with Hepatitis and not even know it? Sometimes a person with HBV infection has no symptoms at all. Older people are more likely to have symptoms. You might be infected with HBV (and be spreading the virus) and not know it.
If you have symptoms they might include yellow skin or yellowing of the whites of your eyes (jaundice); tiredness, loss of appetite, nausea, abdominal discomfort, dark urine, grey-colored bowel movements or joint pain.
What test do you recommend?
Hepatitis B (HBV) Test
It is a DNA virus with a protein coat, the surface antigen(HBsAg) and a nucleic
acid core, the core antigen(HVcAg). The standard test performed to detect an HBV
infection is a blood test for the surface antigen.
Hepatitis C (HCV) Test
The standard testing used to detect a HCV infection is a blood test for the antibodies
produced by the body in response to the virus. The antibody test is followed up
by the RIBA test which is an additional test to confirm the presence of the antibodies.
Feel free to call one of our trained STD counselors for more information or questions about Hepatitis Testing.
