Table of contents:
- Definition
- What is the hepatitis A test?
- When should I get tested for hepatitis A?
- Precautions & warnings
- What should I know before getting tested for hepatitis A?
- Process
- What should I do before getting tested for hepatitis A?
- How is the hepatitis A test process?
- What should I do after having been tested for hepatitis A?
- Explanation of the Test Results
- What do my test results mean?
x
Definition
What is the hepatitis A test?
The hepatitis A virus test is a blood test that is done to look for proteins (antibodies) produced by the body in response to the hepatitis A virus.This type of protein will only be detected in the body if you are currently infected with the hepatitis A virus or have had a similar medical history before . It is very important to be able to identify the type of hepatitis virus that causes infection in order to take steps to prevent the spread of the disease and to initiate optimal therapy.
HAV infection is spread through food or water that has been contaminated with the feces of a person with HAV.
- Anti-HAV IgM antibodies indicates that hepatitis A infection has only occurred recently. Anti-HAV IgM antibodies are generally detectable in the blood approximately 2 weeks after first contact with HAV. Antibodies of this type will disappear after 3 - 12 months after infection.
- Anti-HAV IgG antibodies indicates that you have been infected with the hepatitis A virus. Anti-HAV IgG antibodies will appear 8-12 months after the first contact of infection and will remain permanently in the blood as protection (immunity) from HAV.
Hepatitis A vaccine is available to prevent HAV infection. If you have received the vaccine before and you have detected anti-HAV antibodies in your blood, this means that your HAV vaccination is effective.
When should I get tested for hepatitis A?
A hepatitis A virus test is done if your doctor diagnoses signs of hepatitis A. This test is used to:
- detect any current hepatitis infections or a history of infection
- determine how contagious the patient is with hepatitis
- supervise patients who are currently undergoing hepatitis therapy
Other conditions that may allow your doctor to recommend the HAV test are:
- acute persistent hepatitis
- delta agent (Hepatitis D)
- nephrotic syndrome
Precautions & warnings
What should I know before getting tested for hepatitis A?
The spread of HAV can be prevented by giving vaccination. You can also prevent hepatitis A virus infection even after you have come in contact with the virus if you have already received vaccines or immunoglobulin doses.
Hepatitis antibodies can form weeks or months after first contact, so your HAV test result may look negative even if you have an early stage infection (false-negative). Other tests that will show how well your liver is working is usually done if your doctor diagnoses any signs of hepatitis. The test suite includes measuring the levels of bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase, and aspartate aminotransferase. HAV does not cause long-term disease, so there is no need for follow-up tests once the infection has cleared up.
Process
What should I do before getting tested for hepatitis A?
There is no special preparation before the Hepatitis A Virus test, except for consulting your doctor
How is the hepatitis A test process?
The medical personnel in charge of drawing your blood will take the following steps:
- wrap an elastic belt around your upper arm to stop blood flow. This makes the blood vessel under the bundle enlarge making it easier to insert the needle into the vessel
- clean the area to be injected with alcohol
- inject a needle into a vein. More than one needle may be required.
- Insert the tube into the syringe to fill it with blood
- untie the knot from your arm when enough blood is drawn
- attaching gauze or cotton to the injection site, after the injection is complete
- apply pressure to the area and then put a bandage on
What should I do after having been tested for hepatitis A?
You won't feel anything from the injection, or you can feel a light sting like a pinch. You can return home and carry out normal activities as before after the blood test is over. Your doctor will call or schedule you about taking test results and discussions. Results are acceptable 5 - 7 days.
Explanation of the Test Results
What do my test results mean?
A negative result on the HAV test means no antibodies are present. A positive result means the presence of hepatitis A antibodies in the blood.
| Hepatitis A test | |
| Negative: | No HAV antibodies were found |
| Positive: | The presence of hepatitis A antibodies in the blood. You may need a series of additional tests to find out if you have an active infection at this time or have a history of infection.
|
