HCV Antibody - Immunochromatography near me in Gurgaon

Also known as Anti-HCV, Anti HCV Antibody, Hepatitis C Virus Antibody

You need to provide

Blood

This test is for

Male, Female

Understanding HCV Antibody - Immunochromatography in Gurgaon

What is HCV Antibody - Immunochromatography in Gurgaon?

HCV Antibody - Immunochromatography test is a serological test that detects and diagnoses hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. It is available at an affordable price in Gurgaon with Tata 1mg labs. HCV Antibody - Immunochromatography detects the antibodies that the body makes in response to HCV. HCV commonly infects the liver and if not recognized or treated timely, results in liver damage. This infection spreads when you come in contact with blood, open wounds, or body fluids of an infected person. It can also spread through sexual contact; by sharing needles, syringes, or any drug-injection equipment; or during childbirth from the mother to the baby.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends testing people at an increased risk of an HCV infection. Symptoms of a recent HCV infection include fever, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, decreased appetite, abdominal pain, dark urine, light-colored stools, joint pain, and jaundice. If you have come in contact with an already infected person or show any of the above symptoms, get tested with a HCV Antibody - Immunochromatography test without any delay to prevent complications.

What does HCV Antibody - Immunochromatography measure?

An HCV Antibody - Immunochromatography test determines if you have been infected by HCV and helps your doctor to guide your treatment. HCV causes liver inflammation and is classified into acute hepatitis infection and chronic hepatitis infection.

Acute hepatitis C: This occurs in the first six months after exposure to the hepatitis C virus. In the early stage of the infection, acute hepatitis C is mild and may cause no symptoms. For this reason, most people do not know they have this infection.
Chronic hepatitis C: If your body is unable to fight off the virus, you can develop a chronic hepatitis C infection. Progression from acute to chronic hepatitis C is common, occurring in about 75-85% of patients. Detecting chronic hepatitis C at the early stage is important to prevent future complications, such as liver failure, and initiate effective treatment.

Answers to Patient Concerns & Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about HCV Antibody - Immunochromatography in Gurgaon

Frequently Asked Questions about HCV Antibody - Immunochromatography in Gurgaon

Q. What are the early symptoms of a hepatitis C infection?

Most people do not show any symptoms during the initial stages of hepatitis C infection. However, few people may experience symptoms like fever, fatigue, body pain, loss of appetite, stomach pain, dark-colored urine, light-colored stools, and the yellowing of the white portion of the eyes and skin.

Q. Is there a vaccine for hepatitis C?

Currently, there is no effective vaccine to prevent hepatitis C infection.

Q. Can hepatitis C be spread through food or water?

No, hepatitis C virus does not spread through food or water, by sharing eating utensils, breastfeeding, hugging, kissing, handholding, coughing, or sneezing.

Q. How is hepatitis C infection transmitted?

Hepatitis C infection can be transmitted through contact with infected blood and body fluids. This can happen during unprotected sexual contact with an infected partner; from an infected mother to her unborn baby during birth; due to transfusion with infected blood; while sharing needles, syringes, or drug preparation equipment; by sharing items such as toothbrushes or razors; due to direct contact with blood or open wounds of an infected person; and during body piercing and tattooing.

Q. What are the additional tests required if the hepatitis C virus total antibody test result is positive?

If the result of an HCV test is positive, your doctor may recommend a hepatitis C RNA test. This is a blood test that looks for genetic evidence of the virus. Another test, called viral genotyping, helps find out what kind of HCV infection you have and what type of treatment may be needed. In some cases, you may also need a liver biopsy to look for liver damage associated with HCV.

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