HCV Test - Price, Result, Preparations, 2024

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Intoduction to Hepatitis C Antibody (HCV) Test

Hepatitis C, often called HCV, is a viral infection primarily targeting the liver, leading to acute and chronic liver diseases. As one of the different types of Hepatitis Viruses, HCV usually transmits via contact with infected blood by sharing needles, receiving a blood transfusion, or using unsterilized medical equipment, and less commonly through sexual intercourse. Doctors suggest an HCV Test to detect the antibodies to diagnose a Hepatitis C infection. The HCV Test doesn’t determine the current status of the infection, nor does it check the extent of the virus in the blood. It can only indicate exposure to the disease at some point. You may need additional tests to assess the extent of the infection and its impact on liver health.

Redcliffe Labs is the best Omnichannel Pan India diagnostic service provider from where you can book a Hepatitis C Test. This looks for antibodies against the virus; their presence in the blood means that a person has been infected at some point. However, it doesn’t always mean they still have it; therefore, additional screenings are suggested to confirm the cause. So, if you have risk factors symptoms or your doctor has recommended an HCV Test, Redcliffe Labs is your all-time go-to-diagnostic partner. We provide diagnostic at the doorstep with express slots that ensure samples get picked up within 45 minutes. In addition, we provide accurate reports on time.

Test Details:

Symptoms That May Call For A Hepatitis C Antibody (HCV) Test:

Often called a silent or asymptomatic disease, Hepatitis C may cause no noticeable symptoms for years. However, some may experience signs that prompt the need for Hepatitis C Testing. Such warning signals that you should pay attention to are:

• Yellowing Of Skin & Eyes: Jaundice is one of the common symptoms linked with Hepatitis C infection that develops when the liver is not functioning properly and is not processing bilirubin properly, leading to yellowish eyes and skin.
• Persistent Fatigue: Unexplained and prolonged tiredness ranges from mild to severe that may interfere with daily activities and could indicate Hepatitis C infection.
• Unusual Abdominal Pain: Some individuals may experience abdominal discomfort or pain around the liver, ranging from dull to acute, depending on their age, gender, and other factors.
• Nausea & Vomiting: Occasional vomiting and nausea are a sign that something is not right with your health, and it could also indicate an acute phase of the infection that needs timely screening.
• Dark Urine Or Pale Colored Stool: The change of urine color to dark and stool color to pale also indicates liver dysfunction, which can be linked with HCV that needs to be diagnosed early for better management.
• Loss Of Appetite: Besides disrupting liver function, it also affects your normal appetite habits, leading to loss of appetite or unintentional weight loss.
• Unexplained Swelling: Swelling in the legs and abdomen is also a sign often linked with liver disease or Hepatitis C infection.

Itchy skin, joint pain, unusual bleeding or easy bruising, and dark circles under the eyes indicate that something is wrong with the liver and may need timely screening. Besides indicating liver problems, the test could also be due to other reasons. Therefore, an accurate diagnosis is essential to confirm the cause and take charge of the condition. Timely diagnosis is essential for better managing the condition and preventing complications to a possible extent. Book HCV Testing with Redcliffe Labs now and take charge of your health today.

Hepatitis C Classified Into:

• Acute Hepatitis C: It is a short-term infection or an initial stage of the disease that mostly causes no symptoms, or sometimes the symptoms are so mild that they often go unnoticed. In most cases, the virus goes away with timely intervention and treatment. However, if left unaddressed, it can lead to chronic infection.
• Chronic Hepatitis C: As a long-lasting or advanced form of Hepatitis C infection, Chronic HCV infection develops when the virus persists in the body for more than six months. It can cause serious complications, like long-term liver damage, cirrhosis, liver cancer, and liver failure, if not addressed appropriately.

In short, taking timely HCV Screening is crucial to diagnose the disease and take appropriate measures while there is still time.

Who should get tested for Hepatitis C?

Since Hepatitis C, in most cases or at the acute stage, causes no symptoms, CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) suggests HCV Screening for an adult who is 18 or older. The test is also suggested for individuals who might not have noticeable symptoms but are at higher risk.

• Have HIV
• Are pregnant
• Are on kidney dialysis
• Born to mother with HCV
• Have abnormal ALT levels
• Have had a blood transfusion
• Current or past injectable drug use
• Are exposed to HCV-infected needles (especially healthcare providers)
• Individuals with a history of unprotected intercourse with an HCV-positive partner
• Engaged in unprotected intercourse with multiple partners

Apart from that, certain medications or treatments that may need frequent blood transfusion or clotting factor concentrates are at higher risk of developing HCV infection and may need to be tested at the earliest. Book HCV Blood Test at home for accurate and timely diagnosis.

What does the HCV Test result mean?

Before understanding the test results, it is essential to know that the result may vary depending on your age, gender, health history, and other factors, like the type of technique used by the lab. You can clarify your test results with your healthcare provider for better clarification.

The HCV test results are either positive or negative.

• HCV Positive Means: If your HCV Test results are positive, it only indicates the presence of Hepatitis C antibodies in the blood, suggesting exposure to the virus at some point.
• HCV Negative Means: If your HCV Test results are negative, it only indicates no Hepatitis C antibodies were detected, meaning no current or past infection with the virus.

Since the test doesn’t confirm the infection or assess the severity of the disease, doctors often suggest additional tests for accurate diagnosis and to determine an appropriate treatment plan.

What preparations are required for an HCV Blood Test?

While it is a simple blood test, no special preparations are required before the test. However, a few simple guidelines that one may need to follow are:

• While fasting is not required, you must tell your doctor about any prescribed or non-prescribed medications and follow their instructions.
• If you have any ongoing allergies or fear of injections, it is always good to discuss it with your healthcare practitioner or phlebotomist so that they can guide you better.
• Stay hydrated and calm or relaxed during the procedure to avoid discrepancies in the test results.
• Avoid drinking or smoking for a certain time before the test, as it can interpret the results.

Remember, accurate diagnosis depends on following appropriate testing measures. Therefore, you should follow all the instructions of your healthcare provider to avoid inaccuracies in the test results.

What to expect during an HCV Blood Test?

HCV Test procedure is simple and includes the following steps:

• A phlebotomist will start cleaning the punctured site using an antiseptic to prevent the infection.
• Once the site is cleaned, they tie a band around the arm and ask you to make a fist to find the vein easily.
• They will use a sterile syringe to collect the blood from the vein in your arm.
• Once the blood is collected, they will transfer it to the vial and send it to the laboratory for testing.
• Lastly, a bandage will be applied to the punctured site to prevent bleeding or infection.

The procedure is safe and hassle-free. However, it may cause a little bruise or soreness at the punctured site, which will be normal after a few hours or days. If the symptoms persist longer than usual, don’t wait and seek medical help as soon as possible. If you have any doubts, you can discuss with your phlebotomist what you can expect during or after the test.

HCV Test Price @ Redcliffe Labs

HCV Test Price with Redcliffe Labs is just Rs 250. We believe cost doesn’t have to be a barrier, and everyone should get a reliable and reasonable HCV Test with home sample collection convenience. As a customer-oriented diagnostic service provider, we are committed to delivering quality diagnostic experience at highly affordable rates. So, don’t delay your HCV screening, and get tested with us today.

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Book Your HCV Test at Home With Redcliffe Labs!

Delay in diagnosis of HCV infection can make the condition troublesome and have significant consequences for individuals and public health. It has no symptoms in most cases, and if left undetected for years, it can lead to chronic infection. Therefore, make routine Hepatitis Screening a part of your lifestyle to address complications linked to it and avoid all possible consequences. Redcliffe Labs is your trusted diagnostic partner to book a HCV Blood Test. We provide Express Slots that help you get the sample picked within 45 minutes. So, book the HCV Blood Test now.