{"id":8788,"date":"2025-03-27T07:48:02","date_gmt":"2025-03-27T05:48:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/?p=8788"},"modified":"2026-07-01T04:22:04","modified_gmt":"2026-07-01T01:22:04","slug":"when-is-a-hepatitis-c-test-necessary-to-undergo-an-examination-and-what-are-the-clear-results","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/when-is-a-hepatitis-c-test-necessary-to-undergo-an-examination-and-what-are-the-clear-results\/","title":{"rendered":"Hepatitis C test: when to get tested and how to understand the results"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"\" data-start=\"80\" data-end=\"503\">Hepatitis C is considered one of the most dangerous viral infections, as it can be asymptomatic for years and can lead to serious liver damage. A person can be a carrier of the virus and not even suspect it, because the first signs often appear at the stage of cirrhosis or cancer. That is why <a href=\"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/price\/?3325_search_1=HCV&amp;3325_device=laptop&amp;3325_orderby=relevance&amp;3325_paged=1&amp;3325_filtered=true\"><strong data-start=\"366\" data-end=\"387\">hepatitis C test<\/strong><\/a> \u2014 an extremely important tool for early detection of the disease, timely treatment, and prevention of complications.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"505\" data-end=\"668\">Testing for HCV (hepatitis C virus) is now available, simple, and recommended not only for people at risk, but also for the general population, especially after the age of 35\u201340.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"\" data-start=\"670\" data-end=\"702\">What does the hepatitis C test reveal?<\/h3>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"704\" data-end=\"841\">The purpose of the study is to detect the presence of an infection or a past disease. For this, several types of tests are used, which detect:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"843\" data-end=\"1178\">\n<li class=\"\" data-start=\"843\" data-end=\"946\">\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"845\" data-end=\"946\"><strong data-start=\"845\" data-end=\"878\">antibodies to the virus (Anti-HCV)<\/strong> \u2014 indicate past contact with the virus or current infection<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"\" data-start=\"947\" data-end=\"1036\">\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"949\" data-end=\"1036\"><strong data-start=\"949\" data-end=\"984\">Hepatitis C virus RNA (HCV RNA)<\/strong> \u2014 indicates active replication of the virus in the body<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"\" data-start=\"1037\" data-end=\"1108\">\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"1039\" data-end=\"1108\"><strong data-start=\"1039\" data-end=\"1057\">virus genotype<\/strong> \u2014 helps to choose the most effective therapy<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"\" data-start=\"1109\" data-end=\"1178\">\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"1111\" data-end=\"1178\"><strong data-start=\"1111\" data-end=\"1144\">viral load level<\/strong> \u2014 estimates the amount of virus in the blood<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"1180\" data-end=\"1270\">The results of each of these tests have separate clinical significance and are analyzed in combination.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"\" data-start=\"1272\" data-end=\"1314\">Main indications for taking the test<\/h3>\n<ul data-start=\"1316\" data-end=\"1844\">\n<li class=\"\" data-start=\"1316\" data-end=\"1413\">\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"1318\" data-end=\"1413\">past medical procedures associated with the risk of infection (injections, transfusions, surgeries)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"\" data-start=\"1414\" data-end=\"1459\">\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"1416\" data-end=\"1459\">tattooing or piercing under questionable conditions<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"\" data-start=\"1460\" data-end=\"1526\">\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"1462\" data-end=\"1526\">prolonged weakness, pain in the right hypochondrium, decreased appetite<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"\" data-start=\"1527\" data-end=\"1581\">\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"1529\" data-end=\"1581\">unprotected sexual intercourse with an unknown partner<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"\" data-start=\"1582\" data-end=\"1643\">\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"1584\" data-end=\"1643\">participation in donation programs or preparation for pregnancy<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"\" data-start=\"1644\" data-end=\"1742\">\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"1646\" data-end=\"1742\">born before 1993 - during this period, full control of donor blood was not yet established<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"\" data-start=\"1743\" data-end=\"1794\">\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"1745\" data-end=\"1794\">patients with HIV or other chronic infections<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"\" data-start=\"1795\" data-end=\"1844\">\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"1797\" data-end=\"1844\">healthcare workers who have contact with blood<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-8790\" src=\"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/female-patients-talking-hospital.jpg\" alt=\" Medical form with HCV RNA results\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" srcset=\"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/female-patients-talking-hospital.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/female-patients-talking-hospital-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/female-patients-talking-hospital-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/female-patients-talking-hospital-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/female-patients-talking-hospital-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/female-patients-talking-hospital-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"\" data-start=\"1846\" data-end=\"1878\">Benefits of early diagnosis<\/h3>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"1880\" data-end=\"1924\">Early detection of HCV has a number of advantages:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"1926\" data-end=\"2220\">\n<li class=\"\" data-start=\"1926\" data-end=\"1999\">\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"1928\" data-end=\"1999\"><strong data-start=\"1928\" data-end=\"1968\">the possibility of avoiding liver damage<\/strong> to the stage of fibrosis or cirrhosis<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"\" data-start=\"2000\" data-end=\"2082\">\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"2002\" data-end=\"2082\"><strong data-start=\"2002\" data-end=\"2045\">high efficiency of modern treatment<\/strong> (up to 98% cases of complete recovery)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"\" data-start=\"2083\" data-end=\"2132\">\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"2085\" data-end=\"2132\"><strong data-start=\"2085\" data-end=\"2130\">preventing the spread of infection to other people<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"\" data-start=\"2133\" data-end=\"2220\">\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"2135\" data-end=\"2220\"><strong data-start=\"2135\" data-end=\"2179\">no need for lifelong supervision<\/strong>, if the disease is detected early and treated<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"2222\" data-end=\"2364\">The longer a person lives with the virus, the higher the risk of irreversible liver damage. Therefore, regular testing is a smart and responsible practice.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"\" data-start=\"2366\" data-end=\"2393\">What the results mean<\/h3>\n<div class=\"overflow-x-auto contain-inline-size\">\n<div class=\"table-scroll\"><table data-start=\"2395\" data-end=\"3077\">\n<thead data-start=\"2395\" data-end=\"2502\">\n<tr data-start=\"2395\" data-end=\"2502\">\n<th data-start=\"2395\" data-end=\"2425\">Test result<\/th>\n<th data-start=\"2425\" data-end=\"2486\">What does this mean<\/th>\n<th data-start=\"2486\" data-end=\"2502\">Next steps<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody data-start=\"2613\" data-end=\"3077\">\n<tr data-start=\"2613\" data-end=\"2728\">\n<td>Anti-HCV \u2013 negative<\/td>\n<td>No signs of infection or antibodies have not yet formed<\/td>\n<td>Repeat at risk<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr data-start=\"2729\" data-end=\"2837\">\n<td>Anti-HCV \u2013 positive<\/td>\n<td>There was contact with the virus - PCR confirmation is required<\/td>\n<td>Pass HCV RNA<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr data-start=\"2838\" data-end=\"2958\">\n<td>HCV RNA \u2013 negative<\/td>\n<td>Virus inactive or recovery (without intervention or after treatment)<\/td>\n<td>Control as needed<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr data-start=\"2959\" data-end=\"3077\">\n<td>HCV RNA \u2013 positive<\/td>\n<td>Active infection, treatment required<\/td>\n<td>Hepatologist consultation<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h3 class=\"\" data-start=\"3079\" data-end=\"3109\">How testing happens<\/h3>\n<ul data-start=\"3111\" data-end=\"3465\">\n<li class=\"\" data-start=\"3111\" data-end=\"3166\">\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"3113\" data-end=\"3166\">To determine the presence of IgM or IgG antibodies to the Botkin&#039;s disease virus, the patient must contact a laboratory center. The analysis itself is performed by <a href=\"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/how-to-prepare-a-baby-for-blood-collection-without-any-injuries\/\" title=\"How to prepare a child for blood sampling to avoid injury\"  data-wpil-monitor-id=\"90\">venous blood sampling<\/a>. You can learn how such tests intercleanup using the example of other viral infections: <a class=\"ng-star-inserted\" href=\"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/when-is-a-hepatitis-c-test-necessary-to-undergo-an-examination-and-what-are-the-clear-results\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-hveid=\"0\" data-ved=\"0CAAQ_4QMahgKEwjwvYzAoZOVAxUAAAAAHQAAAAAQ3QE\">https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/test-na-gepatyt-c-koly-varto-projty-obstezhennya-ta-yak-zrozumity-rezultaty\/<\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"\" data-start=\"3167\" data-end=\"3242\">\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"3169\" data-end=\"3242\">Preparation \u2014 <strong data-start=\"3182\" data-end=\"3240\">on an empty stomach or 2\u20133 hours after a light meal<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"\" data-start=\"3243\" data-end=\"3317\">\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"3245\" data-end=\"3317\">It is not recommended to consume alcohol or fatty foods 24 hours before the test.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"\" data-start=\"3318\" data-end=\"3380\">\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"3320\" data-end=\"3380\">Anti-HCV results are usually ready within 1 business day.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"\" data-start=\"3381\" data-end=\"3465\">\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"3383\" data-end=\"3465\">If antibodies are detected, <strong data-start=\"3407\" data-end=\"3419\">PCR test<\/strong> may take 3\u20135 days depending on the laboratory<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"3467\" data-end=\"3592\">The procedure is absolutely safe and has no contraindications. It is recommended to undergo it even in the absence of any complaints.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"\" data-start=\"3594\" data-end=\"3631\">What to do after a positive test<\/h3>\n<ul data-start=\"3633\" data-end=\"4013\">\n<li class=\"\" data-start=\"3633\" data-end=\"3711\">\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"3635\" data-end=\"3711\">Keep calm: <strong data-start=\"3653\" data-end=\"3677\">Hepatitis C is curable<\/strong> in the vast majority of cases<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"\" data-start=\"3712\" data-end=\"3806\">\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"3714\" data-end=\"3806\">Get a PCR test, and then \u2014 <strong data-start=\"3743\" data-end=\"3767\">assessment of liver condition<\/strong> (elastography or fibrosis tests)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"\" data-start=\"3807\" data-end=\"3860\">\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"3809\" data-end=\"3860\">Get a consultation from a hepatologist or infectious disease specialist<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"\" data-start=\"3861\" data-end=\"3943\">\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"3863\" data-end=\"3943\">Start therapy (modern antiviral drugs are usually well tolerated)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"\" data-start=\"3944\" data-end=\"4013\">\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"3946\" data-end=\"4013\">Inform loved ones about the diagnosis, who can also get tested<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"4015\" data-end=\"4206\">Today, hepatitis C treatment in Ukraine is available in public and private clinics. The course lasts 8\u201312 weeks, and a follow-up check after treatment allows you to confirm complete recovery.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"4015\" data-end=\"4206\">Even if you feel well, check <a href=\"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/gepatyt-c\/\" title=\"Hepatitis C\"  data-wpil-monitor-id=\"52\">for hepatitis C<\/a> \u2014 is a simple but powerful tool for taking care of your own health. One analysis can save years of life and help stop a dangerous process in time.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Hepatitis C is considered one of the most dangerous viral infections because it can be asymptomatic for years and can lead to serious liver damage. Human<\/p>","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":8789,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-8788","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-zahvoryuvannya-ta-symptomy"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8788","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8788"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8788\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":13893,"href":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8788\/revisions\/13893"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/8789"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8788"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8788"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8788"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}