Hepatitis C Testing & Treatment

On This Page: Testing Info | Test Results | Is it Curable? | Treatment | Vaccine & Prevention

Hepatitis C Testing Information

Hepatitis C is a virus that causes liver inflammation. It’s the leading cause of liver cancer and liver transplants. Hepatitis C can either be a mild, acute condition that lasts only a few weeks or months, or it can be a serious, chronic illness that is long-term. Approximately 75-85% of people with hepatitis C will develop a chronic infection, which can cause severe, potentially fatal liver damage, liver failure, or liver cancer if left untreated.¹

The only way to know if you have hepatitis C is to get tested. In the United States alone, millions of people have the hepatitis C virus (HCV). Many people with hepatitis C show no symptoms, but early detection can potentially save your life.

How Is the Test Performed?

Hepatitis C testing involves a blood test that detects HCV antibodies. After infection, your body develops antibodies, which try to fight off the virus. It’s quick, simple blood draw from your arm to collect a small sample.

You can get testing for HCV at one of our nearby testing centers. After ordering your test online, you can visit the lab, no appointment needed, and most results are available within 1-2 business days.

When Should You Get Tested?

When a person is exposed to HCV, it takes the body time to recognize the virus’ presence and develop antibodies. Our hepatitis C test is highly sensitive and can detect antibodies as soon as 8-9 weeks of the initial infection. 

If a test is taken too soon before the window period has passed, an early negative result is possible. Having a follow-up test 3 months post-exposure can confirm there is no active hepatitis C infection.

Who Should Get Tested for Hepatitis C?

Hepatitis C is usually spread when contaminated blood enters the bloodstream of someone who isn’t infected.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends hepatitis C testing for people at high risk, including people who:²

• Are current or previous injection drugs users
• Were born between 1945 and 1965
• Received a blood transfusion or organ transplant before 1992
• Received clotting factor concentrates produced before 1987
• Have HIV
• Were ever on long-term hemodialysis
• Have persistently abnormal alanine aminotransferase levels (ALT)
• Have a needlestick contaminated with HCV-positive blood
• Were born to an HCV-positive mother

What Do Your Test Results Mean?

Possible results from a hepatitis C antibody test include:

• A non-reactive or negative result means that antibodies weren’t found, indicating you don’t have the virus. If the contact with the virus has been recent, the test may need to be repeated later.
• A reactive or positive result means antibodies were found, indicating that you currently have hepatitis C, or you’ve had it in the past (people who have had hepatitis C retain antibodies to the virus for life).

What Happens if I’m Positive?

Learning that you have hepatitis C can be devastating, but if you test positive with us, we’re here to help. Additional hepatitis C RNA  testing can be performed to confirm the virus is active. If HCV RNA is detected, it means you currently have HCV; if HCV is not detected, you don’t have HCV.

We also offer a doctor consultation by phone call, so you can get information about the virus and what it means for your health, as well as guidance about what your options are. Our doctors may recommend you meet with a healthcare provider. Depending on the case, you may or may not need to start drug treatment.

Can Hepatitis C Go Away Without Treatment?

With proper rest, nutrition, and hydration, about 15-25% of people can clear acute hepatitis C on their own without treatment. This may happen during the first several weeks after HCV infection. However, the majority of people progress to chronic infection and may need treatment from a healthcare provider.

People with chronic hepatitis C require regular monitoring by doctors for signs of liver damage and disease. 10-20% of people with HCV develop cirrhosis over a period of 20-30 years.³ Blood tests can check for signs of liver malfunction, imaging tests can show if the liver is hardening, and a liver biopsy can identify the severity of the damage.

Is It Curable?

Yes, hepatitis C is curable. With the newest forms of antiviral treatment, hepatitis C can be cured in over 90% of people. A hepatitis C infection is considered cured when the HCV RNA viral load is undetectable in a blood test for 24 weeks after treatment has been completed. This is called a sustained virologic response, or SVR.⁴

How Is Hepatitis C Treated?

Chronic hepatitis C treatment usually involves antiviral medicine. The goal is to reduce the amount of virus in your system, slow or stop the damage to your liver, and reduce your chances of developing cirrhosis (scarring of the liver) and liver cancer.

There are several FDA-approved medications,⁵ most of them involving 8–12 weeks of oral pills called DAAs (direct-acting antivirals). Medications depend on the amount of liver scarring you have and the genotype of the virus. Medicine may be prescribed in combination for increased effectiveness.

Liver Transplants

In advanced chronic hepatitis C, the liver may have cirrhosis and require a liver transplant,  surgically replacing a damaged liver with a different one. Your healthcare provider may refer you to a transplant center, which can evaluate your eligibility, place you on a waiting list for a new liver, and perform the procedure.

A liver transplant doesn’t eliminate the virus from the body. However, there are many options for treatment and cure after a liver transplant.  Antivirals and other new treatments may cure hepatitis C, so you should talk with a healthcare provider about which treatment option is best for you.

Can You Get Re-infected?

Yes. If you’ve been sick with hepatitis C before, it’s still possible to be re-infected. This is especially true for current injection drug users.⁶ You can also get other types of viral hepatitis, as well as hepatitis caused by alcohol, drugs, or other toxins.

Is There a Vaccine for Hepatitis C?

Unfortunately, unlike hepatitis A and B, there is no vaccine for hepatitis C. Getting vaccinated for hepatitis A and B prevents these separate infectious diseases, which can cause liver damage and complicate chronic hepatitis C.

The only way to prevent hepatitis C is to avoid contact with infected blood:

• Don’t inject intravenous drugs
• Don’t share personal items like razors or toothbrushes, which might have blood on them
• Always use a condom during sex
• Follow safety practices if your work puts you at potential exposure

If you are at risk for hepatitis C or think you’ve been exposed, getting tested can rule out the condition or help you get treatment if necessary. Hepatitis C can be scary, but getting tested is quick and relatively painless, like any other blood test. Hepatitis C detection is important to preventing serious health problems during your lifetime.