HAV test

Good morning,

I want to know when I can have a test for HAV after exposure. How much do I have to wait for the test after possible infection?

Thanks.

[Paderla Anitha, DNB]

Hello and hope you are doing well.

The diagnosis of hepatitis A infection is based on the raised levels of anti HAV of IgM type. This will usually show up 2 - 6 weeks after being exposed to the hepatitis A virus. Titres of this antibody fall to low levels within about 3 months of recovery.

Hope this helped and do keep us posted.

[freerunner]

If I had gotten the virus anywhere in the recent month, would I have felt any sympton? I have experienced no sympton since the time I ate some food out on the street. Thanks for this answer.

[Paderla Anitha, DNB]

Hello and hope you are doing well.

It may take 2-6 weeks for the symptoms to manifest after you have eaten the infected food. This is the time taken for the virus to multiply and for the symptoms to show up. If you do not manifest for upto 8 weeks post exposure, you are unlikely to harbor this infection.

Hope this helped and do keep us posted.