(305) 949-1559
Hepatitis A, B, C Screening
Hepatitis C Viral Load testing
Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver that can be contracted
through unprotected sex, using contaminated needles, or other
causes. There are several types of hepatitis – each caused by a different hepatitis virus.
If left untreated, hepatitis can lead to fatigue or more serious issues like liver failure. What’s most disturbing is how hepatitis can remain dormant in your body for years and cause no outward physical symptoms.
It may be impossible to detect hepatitis with just a physical examination because you may not have any noticeable symptoms. That’s why it’s important to be tested.
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Hepatitis A Hepatitis A is the only common vaccine-preventable food borne disease in the United States (Fiore, 2004). It is one of five human hepatitis viruses that primarily infect the human liver and cause human illness. Unlike hepatitis B and C, hepatitis A doesn’t develop into chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis, which are both potentially fatal conditions; however, infection with the hepatitis A virus (HAV) can still lead to acute liver failure and death. HAV is relatively stable and can survive for several hours on fingertips and hands and up to two months on dry surfaces, but can be inactivated by heating to 185°F (85°C) or higher for one minute or disinfecting surfaces with a 1:100 dilution of sodium hypochlorite (household bleach) in tap water (Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices [ACIP], 2006; CDC, 2009c; Todd et al., 2009). However, HAV can still be spread from cooked food if it is contaminated after cooking. To diagnose an infection with hepatitis A or to evaluate the need for or response to the hepatitis A vaccination. LAB TEST FLORIDA offers Hepatitis A Antibodies Test for $49.00 |
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Hepatitis B Hepatitis B is a virus that infects the liver. Hepatitis B is caused by the hepatitis B virus. It is spread through contact with the blood and body fluids of an infected person. Hepatitis B is one of the most common infectious diseases in the world. Hepatitis B, a virus that infects the liver, is passed from one person to the other by blood and body fluids. Hepatitis B infections are either acute or chronic. Acute hepatitis B can last from a few weeks to a few months and you may recover yourself. Chronic hepatitis B is a disease that may remain for life and can lead to serious liver diseases, including liver cancer. Preventing hepatitis B is possible as long as you have not been infected with the virus. If you have been infected, there are hepatitis B treatments available. Hepatitis B Surface Antigen (HBsAG) Test: Often used to screen for and detect HBV infections; earliest indicator of acute hepatitis B and frequently identifies infected people before symptoms appear; undetectable in the blood during the recovery period; it is the primary way of identifying those with chronic infections. The Hepatitis B Surface Antigen establishes presence of infection and implies infectivity. Hepatitis B Surface Antibody (HBsAb): (HBsAb or anti-HBs) is present in the test of people who have resolved a previous Hepatitis B infection or have been vaccinated against Hepatitis B. Individuals vaccinated with HBV vaccine will have Hepatitis B Antibodies. The appearance of the Hepatitis B Antibody following vaccination signals successful vaccination against Hepatitis B. |
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Hepatitis C Hepatitis C is an infection caused by a virus that attacks the liver and leads to inflammation. Most people infected with the hepatitis C virus (HCV) have no symptoms. In fact, most people don't know they have the hepatitis C infection until liver damage shows up, decades later, during routine medical tests. Hepatitis C is one of several hepatitis viruses and is generally considered to be among the most serious of these viruses. Hepatitis C is passed through contact with contaminated blood — most commonly through needles shared during illegal drug use. Hepatitis C Antibody Test: Anti-HCV test detects the presence of antibodies to the virus, indicating exposure to HCV. This test cannot distinguish between someone with an active or a previous HCV infection $49.00 When you test positive for anti-HCV, it means that you have been infected with the hepatitis C virus (HCV). What the test doesn’t tell you is whether you currently have HCV. About 75– 85% of people with anti-HCV still have the virus in their body six months after infection. This means that 15–25% people (about 1 in 5) have antibodies, but not the virus. In these people, their immune system was able to “clear,” or get rid of, HCV. If you test positive for anti-HCV, you should get a confirmation test, usually a test called PCR, to see if you still have HCV. This test measures HCV genetic material in the blood. If you have “cleared” or “resolved” the virus, this test will come back “undetectable”. If the test comes back “detectable,” then you are living with chronic (long-term) hepatitis C. |
LAB TEST FLORIDA locations are preferred collection sites for major clinical and drug testing laboratories.
