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Definition

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 Names

Hepatitis A antibody test; Hepatitis B antibody test; Hepatitis C antibody test; Hepatitis D antibody test

How the test is performed

Blood 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 test

No special preparation is needed.

How the test will feel

When 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 performed

Your doctor may order this test if you have signs of hepatitis. It is used to:

  • Detect current or previous hepatitis infection
  • Determine how contagious a person with hepatitis is
  • Monitor a person who is being treated for hepatitis

Other conditions under which the test may be performed:

Normal Values

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 mean

There are different tests for hepatitis A and B. A positive test is considered abnormal.

Abnormal results on hepatitis A tests:

  • IgM anti-hepatitis A virus (HAV) antibodies -- recent infection with hepatitis A
  • Total (IgM and IgG) antibodies to hepatitis A -- previous or current infection, or immunity to hepatitis A

Abnormal results on hepatitis B tests:

  • Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) -- acute or chronic hepatitis B infection
  • Antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (Anti-HBc) -- previous hepatitis B infection
  • Antibody to HBsAg (Anti-HBs) -- immunity to hepatitis B
  • Hepatitis B type E antigen (HBeAg) -- chronic, contagious hepatitis B infection or acute infection

Antibodies to hepatitis C can usually be detected 4 - 10 weeks after the infection occurs.

What the risks are

Veins 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:

  • Excessive bleeding
  • Fainting or feeling light-headed
  • Hematoma (blood accumulating under the skin)
  • Infection (a slight risk any time the skin is broken)
References

Hoofnagle JH. Acute viral hepatitis. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 151.

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14y ago

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Related Questions

Is hepatitis A a virus or bacteria?

Hepatitis is inflammation in the liver caused by the virus hepatitis B.


What is the virus causing hepatitis?

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.


What pathogens cause hepatitis b?

The causative agent for Hepatitis B is Hepatitis B virus.


How do you find out if someone has hepatitis?

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


What is the name of the pathogen that causes hepatitis C?

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.


Which hepatitis virus requires co-infection with another hepatitis virus?

Hepatitis D requires co-infection with the B type.


Which hepatitis virus lives in the gastrointestial tract?

Hepatitis A.


What type of pathogen causes hepatitis?

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).


Is hepatitis a a virus?

Yes


What is the hepatitis virus?

Not sure


Hepatitis virus comes under which type of virus?

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.


What antibodies are tested for by Selectogen I and II?

Selectogen I tests for IgG antibodies to hepatitis A virus, hepatitis B virus core antigen, and hepatitis B surface antigen. Selectogen II tests for IgG antibodies to hepatitis C virus, hepatitis B core antigen, and hepatitis B surface antigen.