Because hepatitis has no symptoms, it can be difficult for you to determine whether or not you have it. In fact - you can't. If you think you are at risk for hepatitis C, it is important that you get tested as soon as possible. Hepatitis C is diagnosed based on the results of specific blood tests so the first step is to ask your doctor to perform a blood test for hepatitis C.
When you visit your doctor, you can expect to be asked about your medical, family and work history, and about your lifestyle. In addition, your doctor will perform a routine physical exam to evaluate your liver, and thirdly, a number of tests may be administered. Routine blood tests, like the ones you might get at your annual physical examination, do not test for hepatitis C. You must request a specific test for hepatitis C. Your doctor may choose to do these tests by himself/herself or refer you to a gastroenterologist or a hepatologist.
The most commonly used tests are the ELISA which stands for enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and the HCV RNA test. ELISA detects the presence of antibodies to the hepatitis C virus in the blood. The HCV RNA test directly detects hepatitis C virus particles in the blood.
Other tests may be done, including liver enzyme tests, which may indicate the presence of liver damage, and liver biopsy, which can help a doctor determine the severity of liver damage and disease caused by hepatitis C.
Those who test positive for hepatitis C virus will have a genotyping blood test to determine what type of hepatitis C virus they have--this "genotype" can determine which treatment is appropriate and how long it should be given.
If you're hepatitis C positive, you need to know what to do next, and it is important to talk to your health care professional. For additional information you can enroll in Be In Charge®, a service of Schering Corporation. Be In Charge® is a support program for the newly diagnosed hepatitis C patients that allows you to talk one-on-one by telephone with a Nurse Counselor about your disease.
