How do you read HCV antibodies results?
Interpreting test results
| Hepatitis C Test Results | ||
|---|---|---|
| Hepatitis C antibody (anti-HCV) Result | Hepatitis C RNA Result | Possible Interpretation |
| Positive | Positive | Current infection |
| Positive | Negative | No current infection, but additional testing may be needed |
What is considered a positive hep C result?
► A reactive or positive antibody test means you have been infected with the hepatitis C virus at some point in time. ► Once people have been infected, they will always have antibodies in their blood. This is true if they have cleared the virus, have been cured, or still have the virus in their blood.
What is Hep C serology?
The diagnostic blood tests for hepatitis C virus (HCV) are the serological assays, which detect antibodies to HCV, and the molecular assays which detect or quantify HCV RNA. Screening tests for antibodies are first done using serological tests such as enzyme immunoassay.
What is a high count for hep C?
The quantitative HCV RNA test is checked before a patient starts treatment. For each patient, the result can be described as either a “high” viral load, which is usually >800,000 IU/L, or a “low” viral load, which is usually <800,000 IU/L. It’s not uncommon to have a viral load in the millions.
What is a normal Hep C 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).
How is serology testing done?
A blood sample collected in a vial is sent to a lab where a test is run to look for the presence of antibodies in the blood serum. The presence of antibodies means that the body had an immune response to fight off a virus.
Can you have hep C antibodies and not have hep C?
Some people have antibodies associated with the virus in their blood but do not have an active hepatitis C infection. These antibodies can lead to false-positive results on blood tests for an active infection. A person can have hepatitis C for a number of years, or sometimes decades, without experiencing any symptoms.