What is an anti-HCV test?

This is an automatically translated article.


Testing for Hepatitis C is essential for early diagnosis of infection. The anti-HCV test is the initial test to assess whether a patient has hepatitis C infection. From there, a suitable treatment method is available.

1. How dangerous is hepatitis C? Hepatitis C is a leading chronic liver disease with an increasing rate of infection. The disease manifests itself silently in the early stages. As a result, the virus has a greater chance of infecting others and developing harm.
HCV virus after infecting the body will have an incubation period of 12 to 40 days. After that, the virus will begin to multiply and destroy liver cells causing Hepatitis C. Of which, about 70% of people infected with acute hepatitis C can recover on their own, 30% will continue to turn to chronic hepatitis. count.
Hepatitis C is dangerous in that it has the ability to spread strongly through 3 main ways: blood, sexual contact and mother-to-child transmission.
In Vietnam, up to 2-5% are infected with hepatitis C. Hepatitis often has silent symptoms, less common than hepatitis A and B. However, hepatitis C causes many dangerous complications such as:
Causes acute hepatitis, chronic hepatitis has a significant impact on liver function
If left untreated, the hepatitis C virus can transform into cirrhosis for a long time, severely impairing liver function, causing complications. of cirrhosis such as gastrointestinal bleeding, hepatic coma,...
Progression to liver cancer. Studies have shown that up to 50-80% of people with hepatitis C become chronic. In which, up to 25% of patients have complications to liver cancer.

Bệnh lý viêm gan C có thể gây ra nhiều biến chứng nguy hiểm như ung thư gan
Bệnh lý viêm gan C có thể gây ra nhiều biến chứng nguy hiểm như ung thư gan

2. What is the Anti-HCV test? Anti-HCV is an antibody produced by the body's immune system to fight the HCV virus. When HCV antigen enters the body. After 1 to 2 weeks, Anti-HCV will begin to appear and Anti-HCV persists afterwards.
Anti HCV test is a test for antibodies against hepatitis C virus used to screen for hepatitis C. Therefore, the test is used as a simple, quick measure to screen for viral hepatitis. C . Specific results are evaluated as follows:
If Anti HCV Negative: ie the test result is negative for Anti HCV, the body does not have antibodies to HCV virus, the person being tested has never been infected with Hepatitis C. If Anti HCV Positive: that is, the test result is positive for Anti HCV, the body appears anti-HCV virus, there can be 2 cases: currently infected with Hepatitis C or ever infected with Hepatitis C but recovered on its own. during the acute period. To classify with certainty, HCV RNA should be tested to see if the complete virus is active in the body.

Xét nghiệm Anti HCV giúp bác sĩ chẩn đoán chính xác bệnh lý viêm gan C
Xét nghiệm Anti HCV giúp bác sĩ chẩn đoán chính xác bệnh lý viêm gan C
However, when performing the Anti-HCV test, it is also possible to give false positive or false negative results. In addition, if the patient is infected with hepatitis C, it is necessary to assess the degree of hepatitis by other tests such as viral load measurement, liver ultrasound, CT scan, MRI scan, liver biopsy... Liver biopsy allows identification. The degree of liver damage, diagnosis of the disease stage, decision and assessment of the effectiveness of treatment in the most accurate way.

Trắc nghiệm: Làm thế nào để bảo vệ lá gan khỏe mạnh?

Làm test trắc nghiệm kiểm tra hiểu biết về gan có thể giúp bạn nhận thức rõ vai trò quan trọng của gan, từ đó có các biện pháp bảo vệ gan để phòng ngừa bệnh tật.

3. Notes when performing the Anti HCV test The person conducting the test should note that they should fast (on an empty stomach) for 8 to 10 hours before taking a blood sample for testing to ensure that the blood sample is released. accurate results. When the Anti HCV test is negative, there is a high probability that the person does not have hepatitis C. However, it cannot be ruled out 100% because in some cases when testing during the incubation period of the virus, Anti HCV has not yet appeared. give negative results. Therefore, if suspicion continues, an anti-HCV test should be performed 3 months later. If the Anti HCV test result is positive, other tests should be performed to assess the level and genotype for appropriate treatment.
Currently, Vinmec International General Hospital has Hepatobiliary Screening packages, which help detect Hepatitis Virus at an early stage even when there are no symptoms. In addition, the comprehensive hepatobiliary screening package helps customers:
Assess the liver's ability to work through liver enzyme tests; Evaluation of bile function; vascular nutrition; Early screening for liver cancer; Perform tests such as Total blood cell analysis, blood clotting ability, screening for hepatitis B, C Assessment of hepatobiliary status through ultrasound images and diseases that have the potential to affect liver disease/cause liver disease. more severe liver disease In-depth analysis of parameters to evaluate hepatobiliary function through laboratory, subclinical; the risk of affecting the liver and early screening for hepatobiliary cancer

Please dial HOTLINE for more information or register for an appointment HERE. Download MyVinmec app to make appointments faster and to manage your bookings easily.

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