Hepatitis Testing

Generally, hepatitis testing is used to find out if there is any sign of hepatitis in your blood.

Generally, hepatitis testing is used to find out if there is any sign of hepatitis in your blood. For hepatitis A, B, D, and E, a test can tell the difference between a present and a past infection. For hepatitis C, however, a test can't tell the difference between an active infection and a past infection that has cleared up. If testing shows that you may have hepatitis, you'll usually need other tests to confirm the diagnosis and to find out whether your infection is acute (sudden) or chronic (long-term).

Why is this test ordered? You may need hepatitis testing if you have symptoms of hepatitis. Hepatitis doesn't always cause symptoms, but when it does, they may include: Jaundice , a condition that causes your skin and eyes to turn yellow. Fever . Fatigue . Loss of appetite. Dark-colored urine. Pale or clay-colored stool (poop). Abdominal (belly) pain. Nausea and vomiting . Joint pain. Diarrhea (hepatitis A only). If left untreated, a hepatitis infection can become chronic (long-term). These kinds of infections can lead to serious liver problems such as cirrhosis or liver cancer . Because of this, your provider may order hepatitis testing if you've had liver function tests with abnormal results. Even if you don't have symptoms, your provider may order a hepatitis test if you've been exposed to a specific hepatitis virus, or if you're at high risk of getting an infection. You may be at high risk if you: Work in certain industries, such as health care. Use illegal intravenous (IV) drugs and/or share needles with others. Have certain medical conditions that weaken your immune system, such as HIV . Have other kinds of liver disease. Are a man who has sex with other men. Already have another hepatitis infection. For example, your provider may test for hepatitis D if you already have hepatitis B. Lastly, your provider may test you for hepatitis as part of a more general health screening. Medical experts recommend that all adults aged 18 and older be tested for hepatitis B and/or C at least once in their lifetime. They also recommend HBV and HCV tests during each pregnancy as part of routine prenatal testing .