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What if anti-HCV test is negative?
What does a non-reactive HCV antibody test result mean? ► A non-reactive or negative antibody test means that you are not currently infected with the hepatitis C virus. ► However, if you think you might have been exposed to hepatitis C in the last 6 months, you will need to be tested again.
What does HCV not detected mean?
The qualitative results indicate that HCV is present in your blood. The test result will be either “detected” or “undetected.” “Detected” means that you do have the virus in your blood. “Undetected” means that you don’t have the virus in your blood, or you have a tiny amount that can’t be detected by this test.
How do you read anti-HCV results?
There are two results from a hepatitis C antibody test.
- A non-reactive or negative test result means that the person does not have the virus.
- A reactive or positive test result means that the person has had the virus at some point but does not mean that they still have it.
What is anti-HCV test normal range?
Normal range for this assay is “Not Detected”. The quantitative range of this assay is 10 – 100,000,000 IU/mL (1.0 – 8.0 log IU/mL). LLoQ values do not apply to diluted specimens.
What is anti HCV positive?
What does a positive HCV antibody test result mean? A positive antibody test result means that a person has been infected with hepatitis C. It does not mean that the person still has hepatitis C. A different test, to look for the actual hepatitis C virus, is needed to make a diagnosis.
When do HCV antibodies appear?
The hepatitis C (HCV) window period is usually 4–10 weeks from the time of exposure. After 6 months , most people will have developed enough antibodies for an HCV test to detect. In rare cases, however, antibodies can take up to 9 months to develop.
What is a positive HCV RNA result?
If a qualitative RNA test is positive (detected), then it is confirmed that the patient has chronic hepatitis C. The “qualitative” test is more accurate than the “quantitative” test because qualitative tests are able to detect very low levels of the virus.
Why HCV test is done?
The purpose of hepatitis C testing is to determine if a person has been infected by the hepatitis C virus, to evaluate a current or past infection, and to guide a patient’s treatment. Hepatitis C is the most common form of viral hepatitis in the United States.
How accurate is HCV RNA test?
RNA: This test measures the number of viral RNA (genetic material from the hepatitis virus) particles in your blood, also called the “viral load.” The RNA test is almost 100% accurate and can detect an infection within a couple of weeks after exposure.
What does a non reactive HCV antibody test mean?
► A non-reactive or negative antibody test means that you are not currently infected with the hepatitis C virus. ► However, if you think you might have been exposed to hepatitis C in the last 6 months, you will need to be tested again. What does a reactive HCV antibody test result mean?
What to do if the HCV antibody test is reactive?
What to do if the HCV antibody test is reactive ► If the antibody test is reactive or positive, you need an additional test to see if you currently have hepatitis C. This test is called a nucleic acid test (NAT) for HCV RNA. Another name used for this test is a PCR test.
Which tests are used to diagnose hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection?
If recent exposure in person tested is suspected, test for HCV RNA.* A repeatedly reactive result is consistent with current HCV infection, or past HCV infection that has resolved, or biologic false positivity for HCV antibody. Test for HCV RNA to identify current infection.
What are the treatment options for hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA positive?
Persons testing HCV RNA positive should be referred for care and treatment; most HCV infections can now be cured with the availability of highly effective anti-viral drugs.