The blood test for hepatitis is called a hepatitis virus panel. This panel helps detect current or past infections of hepatitis A, hepatitis B, or hepatitis C.
Understanding the Hepatitis Virus Panel
The hepatitis virus panel is a comprehensive series of blood tests designed to identify different types of hepatitis infections. It's a crucial tool for screening and diagnosing hepatitis.
What the Panel Tests For
According to the reference, a hepatitis virus panel checks for:
- Hepatitis A: Detects past or present infection.
- Hepatitis B: Identifies current or previous exposure.
- Hepatitis C: Determines if there's a current or past infection.
How the Test Works
The panel uses antibody and antigen tests to detect the different hepatitis viruses. These tests can screen for more than one type of hepatitis virus simultaneously. This process is detailed in the reference provided.
Example of Test Results Interpretation
To understand how the blood test works, consider the following (this is an illustrative example and not directly from the references):
| Test | Result | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| Hepatitis A Antibodies | Positive | Indicates past infection or vaccination against Hep A. |
| Hepatitis B Surface Antigen | Negative | Indicates no current Hepatitis B infection. |
| Hepatitis C Antibodies | Positive | Indicates past or current Hepatitis C infection. Requires further testing to confirm active infection. |
