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 C virus causes acute (short-term) infections in some individuals, but in many individuals, the virus remains in the body causing serious chronic (long-term) infection.

An estimated 2.4 million are affected by hepatitis C in the US.

HCV is usually transmitted through exposure to blood from an infected individual. The most common way that HCV is transmitted is 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 is treated with antiviral medications and liver function should be regularly monitored.

Hepatitis C infections can be acute (short-term) or chronic (long-term). However, many people with hepatitis C do not develop symptoms and thus can unknowingly spread the disease.

Symptoms associated with an acute infection include:

Fever
Fatigue
Nausea
Vomiting
Abdominal pain

Dark urine
Loss of appetite
Joint pain
Clay-colored bowel movements
Jaundice (yellow color in the skin or eyes)

If a chronic infection occurs, affected people show similar symptoms to an acute infection and may eventually develop liver disease.

The CDC recommends testing in:

All adults at least once in a lifetime
All pregnant women during each pregnancy
HIV-positive individuals
Anyone who has ever used injectable drugs (routine testing for current users)
People with abnormal liver tests and/or liver disease
Anyone who received donated blood or organs before July 1992 or clotting factor concentrates before 1987
Anyone who has been potentially exposed to the blood of an infected individual

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 door step. 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.

Details and FAQs

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

How does the hepatitis C test work?

Our lab detects the presence of antibodies to hepatitis C (HCV) in the blood sample.

A negative result indicates that no HCV antibodies were detected in the specimen tested. If recent exposure to HCV is suspected, testing for HCV RNA may be required.
A positive result indicates that HCV antibodies were detected in the specimen tested. This result is consistent with a current HCV infection, or a past infection that has resolved, or a biologic false positivity for HCV antibody. Follow up testing for HCV nucleic acid (RNA) is required to identify a current infection.

How is hepatitis C treated?

There is vaccination for hepatitis C (HCV). Treatment options vary depending on HCV genotype, viral load, stage of infection, liver damage, and any other health complications. 8-12 weeks of antiviral medications are now 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.

How is hepatitis C transmitted?

Hepatitis C (HCV) is usually transmitted through exposure to blood from an infected individual.

Sharing needles (most common source)
At birth (~6% of infants of infected mothers)
Sexual intercourse (rare but more common in men who have sex with men)
Healthcare exposures
Blood transfusions and organ transplants (now very uncommon)
Unregulated tattoos or body piercings
Sharing personal items that have been contact with infected blood (e.g. glucose monitors, razors)

Who should be tested for hepatitis C?

The CDC recommends universal HCV screening at least once in a lifetime for all adults and for all pregnant women during each pregnancy, except in populations where the prevalence of HCV is less than 0.1%. Testing is especially important for:

HIV-positive individuals
Anyone who has ever injected drugs (regular testing for current injectable drug users)
Individuals with abnormal liver tests and/or liver disease
Anyone who received blood or organs before July 1992
Anyone who received clotting factor before 1987
Anyone who has been potentially exposed to the blood of an infected individual

How do I collect a test sample?**

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What are ways to reduce the risk of hepatitis C transmission?**

Affected individuals should: