Anti HCV Test

The HCV IgG test is one of the most common tests that are performed to detect the hepatitis C virus. The test looks for the presence of IgG antibodies, which are produced by the body to fight the virus, in the blood sample, and helps determine the presence of a past or current infection by hepatitis C. More tests may be prescribed on receiving a positive or reactive result, for a more comprehensive diagnosis.

Hepatitis C is an infection that can go undetected for a long period as most people do not develop any symptoms in the initial stages. If a person has contracted the virus, it may take at least 4-10 weeks for their body to develop antibodies against the hepatitis C virus, which a test may detect. In some cases, it may even take up to 6-9 months to develop enough antibodies that can be detected. In general, people who should undergo the test for the hepatitis C virus include those who have:

• Shared drug-injecting equipment
• Used medical equipment without sterilising
• Been exposed to the blood of someone infected with the virus
• Received blood from an unscreened source

After a period of 3 months or more from exposure, one may also develop symptoms of hepatitis C, like:

• Dark yellow urine
• Fatigue
• Fever
• Gray coloured stool
• Abdominal pain
• Joint pain
• Nausea
• Loss of appetite
• Pale skin and eyes

On noticing any of the above symptoms, consulting a doctor and getting a test for hepatitis C virus performed is recommended.

The HCV IgG test is a screening test with high accuracy in detecting the presence of hepatitis C antibodies. However, the HCV IgG test can be used to diagnose an active as well as past infection, as even after the virus has been treated and removed from the body, its antibodies may remain, leading to a false-positive result. That is why a doctor generally prescribes further testing after a positive HCV antibodies test result, to confirm whether an individual has an active infection or had it in the past.

The hepatitis c virus antibody test screens for the presence of IgG antibodies in the blood, which the body produces to fight against the hepatitis C virus. Past hepatitis C infections that a person has recovered from can also account for the presence of these antibodies, which returns positive results for the HCV IgG hepatitis c virus antibody test. On receiving a positive result, one should consult their doctor, who would be able to prescribe further testing for a confirmed diagnosis and suggest a treatment plan accordingly.

Generally, there are no early signs or symptoms of the hepatitis C virus. Cases of acute hep C infection, after 1-3 months of exposure to the virus, may show some flu-like symptoms, like:

• Stomach or joint pain
• Clay-coloured stools
• Dark urine
• Fever
• Fatigue
• Signs of jaundice
• Appetite loss
• Nausea and vomiting

On the other hand, the infection may go undiagnosed and untreated for a long time, leading to a case of chronic hep C, which may cause enough damage to the liver, leading to symptoms of liver diseases, like:

• Easy bleeding and bruising
• Jaundice
• Fatigue
• Loss of appetite
• Itchy skin
• Swelling in the legs
• Unexplained weight loss
• Confusion or slurred speech
• Angiomas

Hepatitis C is caused by HCV, which is a blood-borne virus and can be transmitted through blood-to-blood contact. Some of the most common causes of hepatitis C virus include:

• Organ transplants
• Sharing personal items like razors with an infected person
• Sharing needles
• Pregnancy – a mother infected with HCV can pass the infection to the baby
• Exposure to the blood of an infected person
• Using unsterilised equipment for a tattoo or a piercing

The HCV IgG is a type of antibody produced by the body in response to the presence of hepatitis C. Even after the infection has cleared, the antibodies remain in the blood for a period of time. So, a positive result in an HCV IgG antibody test can indicate an active as well as past hepatitis C infection. Unlike antibodies produced to fight other conditions, HCV antibodies do not provide immunity, and a person who has successfully cleared the virus may also get re-infected if exposed.

The HCV IgG antibody blood test detects the presence of antibodies produced against the hepatitis C virus. A positive test result may be indicative of an active hepatitis C infection or of one having had the infection at some point in the past. On receiving positive results for the HCV IgG antibody blood test, it is important to consult a doctor, who, based on the individual’s risk factors, age, health, etc., will be able to prescribe confirmatory tests and accordingly devise a treatment plan.