Testing

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Diagnosing hepatitis C is not simple and straightforward. In this section, you’ll learn about:

Quick Facts on HEP C TESTING

Get tested for Hep C if you think you’ve ever had contact with someone else’s blood, even one time.
You need more than one type of test. The first test will tell you only if you have ever had contact with the Hep C virus in the past. This is called an antibody test.
The antibody test is not enough to know if you have Hep C for sure.
A second type of test for the Hep C virus is needed to tell if there is active virus in your body, how much is there, and what kind it is. This is called an RNA test.
To be safe, you may also need tests for other viruses like HIV, hepatitis A and hepatitis B.
With all the right tests, you’ll have the full picture and can decide what to do next about your health.