The hepatitis virus panel is a series of blood tests used to detect current or past infection by hepatitis A, hepatitis B, or hepatitis C. It can screen blood samples for more than one kind of hepatitis virus at the same time.
Antibody and antigen tests can detect each of the different hepatitis viruses.
Note: Hepatitis D only causes disease in people who also have hepatitis B. It is not routinely checked on a hepatitis antibody panel.
Alternative NamesHepatitis A antibody test; Hepatitis B antibody test; Hepatitis C antibody test; Hepatitis D antibody test
How the test is performedBlood is typically drawn from a vein, usually from the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand. The site is cleaned with germ-killing medicine (antiseptic). The health care provider wraps an elastic band around the upper arm to apply pressure to the area and make the vein swell with blood.
Next, the health care provider gently inserts a needle into the vein. The blood collects into an airtight vial or tube attached to the needle. The elastic band is removed from your arm. Once the blood has been collected, the needle is removed, and the puncture site is covered to stop any bleeding.
In infants or young children, a sharp tool called a lancet may be used to puncture the skin and make it bleed. The blood collects into a small glass tube called a pipette, or onto a slide or test strip. A bandage may be placed over the area if there is any bleeding.
The blood sample is sent to a laboratory for examination. Blood ( serology) tests are used to check for antibodies to each of the hepatitis viruses.
How to prepare for the testNo special preparation is needed.
How the test will feelWhen the needle is inserted to draw blood, some people feel moderate pain, while others feel only a prick or stinging sensation. Afterward, there may be some throbbing.
Why the test is performedYour doctor may order this test if you have signs of hepatitis. It is used to:
Other conditions under which the test may be performed:
A normal result means no hepatitis antibodies are found in the blood sample. This is called a negative result.
Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Talk to your doctor about the meaning of your specific test results.
What abnormal results meanThere are different tests for hepatitis A and B. A positive test is considered abnormal.
Abnormal results on hepatitis A tests:
Abnormal results on hepatitis B tests:
Antibodies to hepatitis C can usually be detected 4 - 10 weeks after the infection occurs.
What the risks areVeins and arteries vary in size from one patient to another and from one side of the body to the other. Obtaining a blood sample from some people may be more difficult than from others.
Other risks associated with having blood drawn are slight but may include:
Hoofnagle JH. Acute viral hepatitis. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 151.
The hepatitis virus panel is a series of blood tests used to detect current or past infection by hepatitis A, hepatitis B, or hepatitis C. It can screen blood samples for more than one kind of hepatitis virus at the same time.
Antibody and antigen tests can detect each of the different hepatitis viruses.
Note: Hepatitis D only causes disease in people who also have hepatitis B. It is not routinely checked on a hepatitis antibody panel.
Alternative NamesHepatitis A antibody test; Hepatitis B antibody test; Hepatitis C antibody test; Hepatitis D antibody test
How the test is performedBlood is typically drawn from a vein, usually from the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand. The site is cleaned with germ-killing medicine (antiseptic). The health care provider wraps an elastic band around the upper arm to apply pressure to the area and make the vein swell with blood.
Next, the health care provider gently inserts a needle into the vein. The blood collects into an airtight vial or tube attached to the needle. The elastic band is removed from your arm. Once the blood has been collected, the needle is removed, and the puncture site is covered to stop any bleeding.
In infants or young children, a sharp tool called a lancet may be used to puncture the skin and make it bleed. The blood collects into a small glass tube called a pipette, or onto a slide or test strip. A bandage may be placed over the area if there is any bleeding.
The blood sample is sent to a laboratory for examination. Blood (serology) tests are used to check for antibodies to each of the hepatitis viruses.
How to prepare for the testNo special preparation is needed.
How the test will feelWhen the needle is inserted to draw blood, some people feel moderate pain, while others feel only a prick or stinging sensation. Afterward, there may be some throbbing.
Why the test is performedYour doctor may order this test if you have signs of hepatitis. It is used to:
Other conditions under which the test may be performed:
A normal result means no hepatitis antibodies are found in the blood sample. This is called a negative result.
Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Talk to your doctor about the meaning of your specific test results.
What abnormal results meanThere are different tests for hepatitis A and B. A positive test is considered abnormal.
A positive test may mean:
Hepatitis A test results:
Hepatitis B tests:
Antibodies to hepatitis C can usually be detected 4 - 10 weeks after the infection occurs. Other types of tests may be done to decide on treatment and monitor the hepatitis C infection.
What the risks areVeins and arteries vary in size from one patient to another and from one side of the body to the other. Obtaining a blood sample from some people may be more difficult than from others.
Other risks associated with having blood drawn are slight but may include:
Hoofnagle JH. Acute viral hepatitis. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 151.
Wilkins T, Malcolm JK, Raina D, Schade RR. Hepatitis C: diagnosis and treatment. Am Fam Physician. 2010;81:1351-1357.
Dienstag JL. Hepatitis B virus infection. N Engl J Med. 2008;359:1486-1500.
Reviewed ByReview Date: 12/13/2010
George F. Longstreth, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program, San Diego, California. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
Hepatitis is inflammation in the liver caused by the virus hepatitis B.
The hepatitis virus is actually named that particular virus for which it refers to. For example, the virus for hepatitis B is called the hepatitis B virus (HBV), and the virus for hepatitis C is called hepatitis C virus (HCV), and so on.
The causative agent for Hepatitis B is Hepatitis B virus.
All types of hepatitis are diagnosed with a blood test.The hepatitis virus panel is a series of blood tests used to detect current or past infection by hepatitis A, hepatitis B, or hepatitis C. It can screen blood samples for more than one kind of hepatitis virus at the same time.Antibody and antigen tests can detect each of the different hepatitis viruses.Note: Hepatitis D only causes disease in people who also have hepatitis B. It is not routinely checked on a hepatitis antibody panel. http://www.std-gov.org/stds/hepatitis.htm http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003558.htm
Hepatitis B is caused by the Hepatitis B virus (HBV). Hepatitis C is caused by the Hepatitis C virus (HCV). Hepatitis B virus belongs to the family Hepadnaviridae, and the genus Orthohepadnavirus. Hepatitis C virus belongs to the family Flaviviridae, and the genus Hepacivirus.
Hepatitis D requires co-infection with the B type.
Hepatitis A.
It is a virus.
Hepatitis is caused by blood borne pathogens. The pathogens themselves conveniently share similar names to the type of hepatitis they cause: The pathogen that causes Hepatitus A is known as the Hepatitis A Virus (HAV), the pathogen that causes Hepatitus B is known as the Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) and the pathogen that causes Hepatitus C is known as the Hepatitis C Virus (HCV).
Several diseases of the liver, collectively known as hepatitis, are caused by viruses. The viruses involved, five of which have been reasonably well characterized, come from a wide range of virus families. Hepatitis A virus is a picornavirus, a small single strand RNA virus; hepatitis B virus belongs to the hepadnavirus family of double stranded DNA viruses; hepatitis C virus is a flavivirus, a single stand RNA virus; hepatitis E, also an RNA virus, is similar to a calicivirus. Hepatitis D which is also known as Delta agent is a circular RNA that is more similar to a plant a viroid than a complete virus.
Yes
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