Types Of HCV Test

1
Types Of HCV Test
2

• HCV or Hepatitis C Virus test is another type of
  blood testing that seeks for the RNA or genetic
  material of the kind of virus that caused
  hepatitis or the antibodies the patients body
  makes against the virus. Proteins will be in the
  blood if the patient has Hepatitis C infection
  whether previously or at present. It is necessary
  that the type of virus is identified to ensure it
  will not spread out and proper treatment will be
  given. HCV test can let the doctors identify the
  type of virus hence provide the right treatment
  to patients.
•  
• Hepatitis C Virus spreads through the humans
  infected blood.

3
Types of HCV test

• There are different types of HCV tests available,
  Anti HCV antibody, HCV RIBA and HCV genetic
  material or RNA

• To Know more click here

4
Anti HCV antibody

• This will look for antibody to virus in the
  patients blood, signalling a virus infection has
  happened. Anti HCV antibody cannot confirm the
  difference of long term and acute infection, EIA
  or enzyme immunoassay can be the initial test to
  be done to check on anti HCV antibodies.

5
HCV RIBA

• Another test to check antibodies or virus. This
  test will identify whether the positive result is
  from HCV infection or the result is false
  positive. This can be ordered to double check EIA
  positive test result.

6
HCV Genetic Material

• This test uses a PCR or Polymerase chain reaction
  to recognise an active heap C infection. RNA can
  be diagnosed or seen in a patients blood within
  two weeks of a patients exposure to the said
  virus. This can also measure the virus level in
  the patients blood, also called as viral load,
  or how well a patient with Hepatitis C Virus is
  responding to the treatment being given.
• Viral load or also called as HCV quantitative
  test is most of the time used during and before
  the treatment to keep track of the length of time
  treatment should be given to patient and to check
  the overall performance of the treatment to HCV
  patient
• HCV viral genotyping on the other hand is
  utilised to check which genotype virus is
  present. HCV has six types of genotypes, some are
  harder to treat than others.

7

• Unfortunately, vaccine is not available yet in
  the market to minimise the chances of hepatitis
  C. Needless to say, it is necessary that a
  patient experiencing the symptoms of hepatitis C
  consult a doctor right away. Tests should be done
  to identify the type of virus occurs. After virus
  is identified, the doctor will plan on the
  treatment and medication. Series of tests will be
  made again to check on the treatments
  effectivity and progress.