Health encyclopaedia

Health encyclopaedia - Alphabetical Topic List

Diagnosis of Hepatitis C

A blood test can detect antibodies to the hepatitis C virus and a positive test shows that you have been infected. Your body normally makes antibodies to try and fight the hepatitis C virus.

However the test will not show a positive reaction for some months after being infected as your body will take time to make these antibodies. Also, this test may remain positive even if you have cleared the virus from their body.

If you are found to have the virus, your doctor may advise other tests to check for damage to your liver. These may include liver function tests, which measure substances (certain enzymes and proteins) in the bloodstream that indicate that the liver is damaged.

The amount of liver damage can only be assessed by taking a sample of the liver tissue. This is called a liver biopsy, and involves passing a hollow fine needle through the skin into the live. The cells are examined under a microscope to assess the amount of liver damage (inflammation, scarring, and cirrhosis).

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