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Would Hep C show up in a standard blood test?
Would a standard blood test pick up weather you have Hep C?
My mum was diagnosed with Guillian Barre Syndrom 15years ago. She overcome it and has had alot of blood tests invetween then and now.
About 4 years ago we found out my Dad had Hep C from a dodgee tattoo years ago.
If my mum had contracted it from him, would it have shown up on her blood tests when she was in hospital with Guillian Barre? Or is it something that needs to be tested for specifically?
I'm so worried and i just want a general idea.
My mum was diagnosed with Guillian Barre Syndrom 15years ago. She overcome it and has had alot of blood tests invetween then and now.
About 4 years ago we found out my Dad had Hep C from a dodgee tattoo years ago.
If my mum had contracted it from him, would it have shown up on her blood tests when she was in hospital with Guillian Barre? Or is it something that needs to be tested for specifically?
I'm so worried and i just want a general idea.
To know if you have hep c the first test would be a test for antibodies for hep c. Then if that test is positive a second test is needed to determine in you are currently infected with the hep c virus. This test is called the HCV RNA by PCR test.
Testing for hep c antibodies is not routinely done although the FDA does recommend all persons of the Baby boom generation should be tested once to make sure the don't have hep c but not all doctors are following this recommendation.
Just to add hep c is not easily transmitted and in the situation of a long term monogamous couple the FDA does not suggest the use of barrier protection i.e. condoms as hep c in that situation is not considered to be an STD. For those who engage in rough sex, have multiple sex partners or in the presence of HIV there is an increased risk.
Testing for hep c antibodies is not routinely done although the FDA does recommend all persons of the Baby boom generation should be tested once to make sure the don't have hep c but not all doctors are following this recommendation.
Just to add hep c is not easily transmitted and in the situation of a long term monogamous couple the FDA does not suggest the use of barrier protection i.e. condoms as hep c in that situation is not considered to be an STD. For those who engage in rough sex, have multiple sex partners or in the presence of HIV there is an increased risk.
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So would they have done an antibody test if she was in hospital? Or is it a test that you have to request?
As I said it is not routinely done.
If the patient has known risk factors they would ask the patient if they have ever been tested and if not the doctor would ask if they want the test.
The test is not done automatically for every patient ans not without the knowledge and consent of the patient.
Also the hep c antibody test is not normally done as part of an STD panel.
To specifically answer your questions:
"So would they have done an antibody test if she was in hospital?"
Not automatically, no.
"Or is it a test that you have to request? "
Generally yes you would have to request the test. Or the doctor would ask you if you want to have the test if you have known risks for hep c like a transfusion prior to 1989 when the antibody test became available or were a previous IV drug user even just once.
If the patient has known risk factors they would ask the patient if they have ever been tested and if not the doctor would ask if they want the test.
The test is not done automatically for every patient ans not without the knowledge and consent of the patient.
Also the hep c antibody test is not normally done as part of an STD panel.
To specifically answer your questions:
"So would they have done an antibody test if she was in hospital?"
Not automatically, no.
"Or is it a test that you have to request? "
Generally yes you would have to request the test. Or the doctor would ask you if you want to have the test if you have known risks for hep c like a transfusion prior to 1989 when the antibody test became available or were a previous IV drug user even just once.
I found out when I donated blood that is one way many people find out.
They test blood donations for pretty much everything.
They test blood donations for pretty much everything.
That is definitely not a good way to check. There is a very tiny window period where a newly infected person will test negative, but can still transmit the virus.
I did not donate blood to check my health status. I donated to be a good citizen. I throughly agree not a good way at all to check on ones health.
After 9/11 many folks donated to try to do something to help and were shocked to learn they had hep c and cannot donate blood.
I was a regular blood donor prior to my diagnosis as I have a moderately rare blood type of A negative. My diagnosis brought an immediate end to my service to my community in that regard.
After 9/11 many folks donated to try to do something to help and were shocked to learn they had hep c and cannot donate blood.
I was a regular blood donor prior to my diagnosis as I have a moderately rare blood type of A negative. My diagnosis brought an immediate end to my service to my community in that regard.
Just to add if you suspect hep c get tested by your physician never use the blood donation system as a way to get your blood testing done. If your donation should somehow slip through the cracks of testing you are putting others at risk.
Clementine02, you said that there is window period where newly infected person will test negative. I think this fact is also true with other infectious diseases such as hepatitits B. In that case if such a person donated blood and no infections are detected because of that window period, then does this mean his/her blood is going to be approved for transfusion purposes? If so, isn't this possiblity a serious health hazard?
Well as you said if the person donation were very recently infected but there was no positive test for antibodies I believe obviously their donation would be approved and made available for transfusion as there is no reason for the blood bank not to do so. Thankfully the viral load would be very low under this circumstance but yes of course this would be a health hazard but as a percentage very low likelihood of occurance.
I was likely infected in 1978 well before there was a test for hep c antibodies. I donated blood several times because I have a relatively rare blood type. At the time I had never heard about hep c and as far as I knew I was a healthy doner. So I guess I may have saved a few lives for those needing blood but may unintentionally have given people hep c.
I was likely infected in 1978 well before there was a test for hep c antibodies. I donated blood several times because I have a relatively rare blood type. At the time I had never heard about hep c and as far as I knew I was a healthy doner. So I guess I may have saved a few lives for those needing blood but may unintentionally have given people hep c.
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