Hepatitis B & C Test

$79

Convenient at-home test to check for hepatitis B and C infections. Fast, easy-to-read, and discreet results.

What does it test for:

Hepatitis B
Hepatitis C

Collection method: Finger Prick

COMING SOON

Have you been exposed to hepatitis B or C? Get tested to find out

Hepatitis refers to inflammation and damage to the liver. The most common causes of hepatitis are three viruses known as hepatitis A, B, and C. The hepatitis B and C viruses cause only acute (short-term) infections in some individuals, but can cause chronic (long-term) infection in others. The liver damage associated with hepatitis results in multiple different symptoms, because the liver performs many critical functions, including:

Bile production for digestion
Filtering of toxins
Metabolism of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins
Activation of enzymes
Storage of various mineral and vitamins
Synthesis of blood proteins and clotting factors

Why consider this test?

The CDC recommends hepatitis B and C testing for:

Injectable drug users
Blood and tissue donors
Health care personnel who may be exposed to contaminated blood
Pregnant women
HIV-positive individuals
Men who have sex with men
Dialysis patients
Individuals requiring immunosuppressive therapy
Infants born to infected mothers

Hepatitis B testing is also recommended for:

Individuals born in countries of high hepatitis B prevalence

Hepatitis C testing is also recommended for:

All adults at least once in a lifetime, except in populations where the prevalence of hepatitis C is less than 0.1%

Symptoms of hepatitis B and C

Hepatitis B and C share many of the same symptoms, as both viruses affect the function of the liver.

Fever

Nausea & vomiting

Abdominal pain

Dark urine

Loss of appetite

Jaundice

Symptoms of hepatitis B and C

Hepatitis B and C share many of the same symptoms, as both viruses affect the function of the liver.

Fever

Nausea & vomiting

Abdominal pain

Dark urine

Loss of appetite

Jaundice

What’s included in the Complete STD Test?

• Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B is transmitted through contact with infectious body fluids, including blood, vaginal secretions, and semen. The most common source of transmission is from an infected mother to her child during childbirth. Risk factors for hepatitis B include using injectable drugs, sexual intercourse with an infected partner, and sharing razors (or other products that may have come into contact with blood) from an infected individual. Hepatitis B can result in a chronic infection that can develop into cirrhosis or liver cancer. The most at-risk individuals for a chronic infection are infants and young children, with 80-90% of infected infants and 30-50% of infected children under 6 years of age developing a chronic infection. Less than 5% of infected adults will develop a chronic infection, assuming they have no other health complications. This test detects the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). HBsAg becomes detectable around four weeks after exposure to hepatitis B, remains detectable throughout an active infection, and disappears when an individual has recovered. A reactive HBsAg result is indicative of an active hepatitis B infection, but cannot distinguish between an acute or chronic infection. This hepatitis B test cannot detect immunity to hepatitis B through vaccination or previous exposure.

• Hepatitis C
Hepatitis C is usually transmitted through exposure to blood from an infected individual, most commonly through sharing needles. Other potential sources of infection include at birth, sexual intercourse, healthcare exposures, blood transfusions and organ transplants, unregulated tattoos or body piercings, and sharing personal items that have been contact with infected blood. Hepatitis C can develop into a chronic infection (>50% of infected individuals). Over several decades mild to severe liver disease develops in most affected individuals, including cirrhosis and liver cancer. Several factors increase the risk of the development of cirrhosis in infected individuals, including being male, >50 years, increased alcohol consumption, hepatitis B or HIV coinfection, and immunosuppressive therapy. This test detects antibodies to hepatitis C, which may be detected as early as 2 weeks post-exposure, but are generally not detected until 8-11 weeks post-exposure. If you suspect a recent exposure, an alternative test to detect hepatitis C nucleic acid (RNA) may be recommended. A positive result from this hepatitis C test is consistent with both a current hepatitis C infection and a resolved past infection. Follow up testing for hepatitis C RNA is required to identify a current infection.

How It Works

Order your test

Choose the test that matches your need from our large array of tests. The kit will be delivered to your doorstep. There is no need to leave the comfort of your home.

Collect your sample

Register and activate your test. Collect your sample. Return your sample to our lab as soon as possible, using the prepaid envelope included in the kit.

Quality guarantee

Your sample will be tested as soon as it arrives in our lab. Your results will be available through our secure online platform.

FAQs

Here are the answers to the most frequently asked questions about this test. Please feel free to contact us if you have any other questions.

How does the Hepatitis B & C Test work?
A blood sample is self-collected following the detailed instructions included in the kit, and mailed back to the lab using the prepaid envelope inside the kit. Upon receipt at the laboratory, the blood sample is analyzed by fully automated chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassays (CMIAs) to detect the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and antibodies to the hepatitis C virus.

How are hepatitis B and C treated?
Hepatitis B treatment focuses on maintaining comfort and adequate nutrition for acute infections. Chronic infections can be treated with various medications, including antivirals, to reduce progression of cirrhosis and incidence of liver cancer. However, these treatments do not generally eliminate the hepatitis C virus, so treatment is life-long. Vaccination is the most effective prevention tool for hepatitis B and is included in routine childhood vaccination schedules worldwide.

There is no vaccine available for hepatitis C. Treatment options vary depending on hepatitis C virus genotype, viral load, stage of infection, liver damage, and any other health complications. 8-12 weeks of antiviral medications are effective in approximately 90% of cases. However, these medications do not repair any tissue damage that has already occurred. Liver transplantation may be necessary for severe liver damage.

What are the testing recommendations for hepatitis B and C?

The CDC recommends hepatitis B screening of individuals born in countries with high hepatitis B prevalence (≥2%), as well as unvaccinated US-born children of parents born in countries with high hepatitis B prevalence. Universal hepatitis C screening is recommended at least once in a lifetime for all adults, except in populations where the prevalence of hepatitis C is less than 0.1%.

Hepatitis B and C screening should occur in pregnant women, HIV-positive individuals, injectable drug users, men who have sex with men, close contacts of infected individuals, blood and tissue donors, individuals with end-stage renal disease and those requiring immunosuppressive therapy. Infants born to infected mothers should also be tested.

What are ways to reduce the risk of hepatitis B and C?

Get vaccinated for hepatitis B (no vaccine is available for hepatitis C)
Don’t share needles
Be in a long-term mutually monogamous relationship
Use condoms correctly
Avoid unregulated tattoos or body piercings
Don’t share personal items that may have been in contact with infected blood (e.g. glucose monitors, razors)