Anti-HCV – examination, indications, norms, symptoms of infection [EXPLAINED]

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Anti-HCV are antibodies found in people infected with the hepatitis C virus (HCV). For diagnostic purposes, an anti-HCV level test is performed on the basis of a venous blood sample. If there are no antibodies in the sample, the test person is healthy. What should you know about anti-HCV antibody testing?

Hepatitis caused by HCV

Hepatitis C (hepatitis C) is a serious infectious disease that results from HCV infection. It attacks the liver, and the disease does not cause any symptoms or only non-specific symptoms for a long time. As a result of the infection, the liver becomes inflamed and the organ itself is severely damaged. To find the virus, start by doing a laboratory test for the presence anti-HCV antibodies.

HCV infection is transmitted through the blood, so it can also be infected through sexual contact (if there is damage to the mucous membranes). There is also a risk of your baby becoming infected during pregnancy. Unfortunately, so far no vaccine for hepatitis C has been invented. Only vaccinations against hepatitis A and B are available.

Anti-HCV – characteristics of the infection

Anti-HCV antibodies appear in the blood of an HCV infected person within a few (usually 4-10) weeks after infection. However, detection of anti-HCV does not always mean active viral infection. Even in 40 percent. people, the virus is eliminated spontaneously, and the antibodies only inform that the patient has been in contact with HCV. Therefore, in the case of positive for anti-HCV diagnostics continue and HCV-RNA determination is performed.

If a physician diagnoses active HCV infection, prompt treatment is required. The choice of therapy may depend on the condition of the patient’s liver as well as the type of disease we may be dealing with acute hepatitis C or chronic hepatitis C.

It is worth knowing that the virus that causes hepatitis C is transmitted through the blood, so infection can occur during:

1. contact with infected blood, for example during a transfusion;
2. injury or childbirth when a woman is infected;
3. cuts with a used needle (applies to people working in the health service and e.g. drug addicts);
4. sexual contact with an infected person.

The infection damages the liver cells as a result of a strong immune response to the appearance of the virus. A poor response of the body can cause the disease to become chronic.

Most people are unaware of their condition. If the disease becomes chronic, it may cause almost no symptoms for many years. Usually, severe effects of infection appear after 5–35 years. The disease usually results in cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma.

Anti-HCV – indications

Anti-HCV antibody level testing is performed in people suspected of being infected with HCV. If the patient is diagnosed with the disease, anti-HCV testing is also recommended for those around him. Due to the common lack of characteristic symptoms, the indications of infection are discovered accidentally during laboratory tests.

Bigger the likelihood of HCV infection includes people from the following risk groups:

1. taking narcotic drugs in the form of intravenous;
2. frequently staying in hospital – especially if the number of stays in hospitals so far exceeds three;
3. persons in prisons;
4. individuals with test abnormalities (e.g. elevated ALAT) indicating a possible association with liver disease;
5. people after transfusions, which were performed before 1992, because it was only then that compulsory testing of blood from donors for HCV began;
6. infected with HIV.

Anti-HCV – norms

In a healthy person who has not been exposed to the virus, the anti-HCV test result should be negative. In this case, the test will not detect any antibodies in your blood. A positive anti-HCV result shows:

1. previous HCV infection or
2. active HCV infection and likelihood of HCV hepatitis.

Anti-HCV – symptoms of infection

Symptoms of HCV infection are almost imperceptible in the initial stage, therefore the only way to make a diagnosis is anti-HCV testing. Symptoms of HCV infection that appear in the acute phase of the disease are:

1. weakness;
2. dryness of the mucous membranes;
3. mood drop;
4. sore muscles and joints;
5. itchy skin.

Your doctor may also feel for an enlarged liver on palpation. HCV-induced changes in the liver will also be visible on the ultrasound image. HCV infection may be accompanied by extrahepatic syndromes, including mixed cryoglobulinemia, membranous glomerulonephritis, porphyria, lichen planus or non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

Preparation for anti-HCV testing

The anti-HCV test involves analyzing a venous blood sample. There is no need to prepare for the anti-HCV test in any particular way. There is no obligation to appear for the examination on an empty stomach. The only recommendations may be related to the individual patient’s reaction to blood sampling. It is worth drinking a glass of water half an hour before the test.

Anti-HCV – results

If the test subject has not been exposed to HCV, the test result should be negative. Anti-HCV antibodies can only be seen in people who are currently infected with the virus or in those who have already been infected.

Regardless of the anti-HCV result, however, you should show the result to the doctor. It should also be remembered that the antibodies will be visible in the blood serum only after about 4 or even 10 weeks after the infection.

Anti-HCV – test price

Currently, the Primary Health Care package does not include testing for HCV infection. As a result, a blood test for the virus will in most cases have to be performed for a fee. However, there is a chance for reimbursement in infectious disease clinics, for which we must, however, receive a referral. An alternative are also sometimes organized diagnostic campaigns, which allow you to get tested free of charge. However, for tests for anti-HCV antibodies in the laboratory, we will pay about PLN 35-50.

Treatment of people infected with HCV

The implementation of therapeutic therapy is necessary when HCV infection is confirmed by testing for the presence of viral genetic material (positive HCV-RNA). Drugs are selected according to the genotype of a given HCV virus and the patient’s condition. Beginning treatment promptly is important as it can prevent complications such as liver fibrosis and liver cancer (HCC). The destruction of this organ may lead to necessity liver transplant.

Read also:

1. HBsAg – detects hepatitis B infection
2. HIV test – after what time, pregnancy, results

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