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%