Have you been exposed to hepatitis 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 C virus causes only acute (short-term) infections in some individuals, but can cause chronic (long-term) infection in others.
The hepatitis C virus is usually transmitted through exposure to blood from an infected individual, commonly through sharing needles. Other exposures can be at birth, sexual intercourse, blood transfusions and organ transplants, and tattoos or body piercings.
Hepatitis C is usually effectively treated with antiviral medications. Treatment slows down the progression of inflammation and scarring of the liver and reduces the chances of liver cancer.
Why consider this test?
The CDC recommends hepatitis C testing for:
- All adults at least once in a lifetime, except in populations where the prevalence of hepatitis C is less than 0.1%
- 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
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.
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.
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.
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)
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
ADD TEXT
Affected individuals should:
-
- Not donate blood, tissue, or semen
- Refrain from sharing items that may come into contact with blood (e.g. razors, glucose meters, toothbrushes)
-
- Cover any cuts or sores
Our Accreditations



