Hepatitis C Virus Test'With Confirmation | Confidential Testing

What

The Hepatitis C Test checks for HCV antibodies in the blood.

Who

Must be 18+ years of age to purchase

Orders not permitted in: AK, HI, AZ

How

Type of sample to be collected:
Blood (venipuncture—a needle is used to draw blood from a vein)

This test features confirmation testing; see ‘Confirmation’ section for details.

Where

Find a location near you

Schedule an appointment, then visit one of our Patient Service Centers.

About the Test

HCV is a viral infection that affects the liver. It is not understood why, but some people can be infected with HCV and fight off the infection; others will carry the virus for the rest of their lives, without symptoms, until liver disease is advanced. Infection triggers production of specific antibodies to fight illness. The Hepatitis C Test checks for HCV-specific IgG antibodies in your blood to determine whether you have been infected with HCV. A positive test result does not necessarily indicate you have an active HCV infection; additional testing with a Hepatitis C RNA Test is required to confirm active infection.1 This confirmation test measures the level of HCV in the blood (viral load). The level of Hepatitis C RNA can tell you if you have a current or past HCV infection. This information can help your healthcare provider interpret your results and monitor your response to treatment.

The liver is a vital organ that performs multiple bodily functions, including filtering blood, storing vitamins and minerals, breaking down substances, and producing bile, which is required for digestion. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a potentially life-threatening liver infection caused by contact with contaminated blood or blood products. HCV can lead to significant impairment of liver function and chronic health conditions, such as severe liver scarring (cirrhosis) and liver cancer.

The Hepatitis C Test measures HCV immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies in the blood. Antibodies are chemicals released in blood when someone becomes infected with the virus. A negative HCV test result indicates that a person is not currently infected with HCV. A positive HCV result indicates you may have been infected with HCV at some point in time; follow-up testing is required to check the amount of HCV that is in the blood. This additional test is called Hepatitis C RNA Test and is used to confirm current or past HCV infection and may help healthcare professionals monitor the response to treatment.

If you are experiencing symptoms of liver disease or have been exposed to HCV, our Hepatitis C Test with Confirmation can be used to provide an HCV diagnosis or monitor treatment of HCV infection.

Please note: The CDC recommends that all adults should be tested at least once. Testing is also recommended based on risk factors.¹ Click here for the complete CDC recommendations for Hepatitis C testing.

Those infected with HCV may have no symptoms (asymptomatic) or experience only mild symptoms. Our Hepatitis C Test with Confirmation may be helpful in identifying if you have past or current infection with HCV.

Signs and symptoms of HCV may include the following:

Abdominal pain
Fatigue
Fever
Dark yellow urine
Light-colored or clay-colored stools
Joint pain
Loss of appetite
Nausea
Vomiting
Yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes (jaundice)
Mild to severe chronic liver disease
Cirrhosis (a disease that scars the liver)
Liver cancer
Depression
Abnormal liver test results

Our Hepatitis C Test with Confirmation is for anyone who wants to determine whether they have been infected with HCV or help monitor the response to treatment for HCV infection. You must be 18 years old or older to purchase.

You do not need to do anything special to prepare for the sample collection. Fasting is not required for this test.

When your results are ready, we will send them to you in a clear, easy-to-read report.

You will have the option to speak with an independent physician to discuss your results.

If your results differ from expected ranges, you may receive an alert call to inform you.

If hepatitis C results are abnormal, confirmation testing is performed on the sample you have already provided, as required by standard diagnostic guidelines.

How Does it Work?

Take an in-person test at a Quest Diagnostics location.

Over 2000+ locations focus on your safety, confidentiality and convenience.

Schedule your appointment after purchasing a test to minimize wait time.

Browse tests

Enter your zip code to find a Quest Diagnostics location closest to you.

Find a location

We will email you when your confidential results are available.

View results

Take control of your health

Conveniently shop and pay online for lab tests without a doctor's visit. An independent physician will review your request and if appropriate, confirm your order and offer oversight.

Schedule and manage your appointments

Conveniently schedule your appointment online at one of our Quest Diagnostics locations. Certain tests may also offer self-testing home delivery.

Get your results online

View your results through your secure account online. And it's easy to share the result with your doctor.

Your results are available on our free, secure patient portal that you can access on your smartphone, tablet, or desktop. You will receive an email notification when your results are ready. You can also share your results with your doctor, family, or friends.

FAQs

Who should be tested for HCV?

According to the CDC, all adults, pregnant women, and people with risk factors should get tested for hepatitis C.

What are the risk factors for contracting HCV?

Infection is most frequently passed through injection drug use. However, some patients have contracted HCV through blood transfusions and organ transplants before screening became standard practice.

According to the CDC, the following persons have an increased risk of contracting hepatitis C:

• People living with HIV
• People who are currently or have a history of using injection drugs, including those who injected only once many years ago
• Healthcare, emergency medical, and public safety personnel exposed to HCV-positive blood through needle sticks, sharps, or mucosal exposures
• Children born to mothers with HCV infection
• People notified that blood was donated by a person later found to have tested positive for HCV

Additionally, people who have received the following treatments have an increased risk of developing hepatitis C:

• Maintenance hemodialysis
• Clotting factor concentrates (before 1987)
• Transfusion of blood or blood components (before July 1992)
• Organ transplantation (before July 1992)

Hepatitis C Test With Confirmation

Who is getting tested? *

Test Type