Hepatitis A diagnosis primarily involves a blood test to confirm the presence of the virus. These tests often include serologic testing and, in some cases, PCR-based tests.
Diagnostic Tests for Hepatitis A
To specifically diagnose hepatitis A, healthcare professionals utilize the following types of tests:
- Serologic Testing: This type of blood test looks for specific antibodies that the body produces in response to the hepatitis A virus (HAV). Identifying these antibodies can confirm a current or past infection.
- PCR-Based Tests: Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) tests are sometimes used to detect the genetic material of the hepatitis A virus directly in the blood. This is especially useful in the early stages of infection.
According to the reference, a blood test can confirm a suspected case of hepatitis A. The types of diagnostic tests used to confirm an HAV infection include serologic testing and, occasionally, PCR-based tests.
