Hepatitis C is a disease of the liver caused by a virus that spreads mostly by blood-to-blood contact. Unless one is aware, one does not even know the fact that they carry this infection until the disease inflicts serious damage on the liver. Early detection is the solution, and the Anti-HCV test is one of the screening tests utilized throughout the whole Hepatitis C screening process for HCV exposure.

It is a blood test that detects whether a person has previously been infected with the virus, even if they are not infected now. Having knowledge about the role of the Anti-HCV blood test in treatment, diagnosis, and follow-up in the care of liver disease is crucial.

What is an Anti-HCV Test?

Anti-HCV test or Hepatitis C test antibody test is a blood test that is done to diagnose the antibodies the body develops due to contact with the Hepatitis C virus. When the body is infected with HCV, the body's immune system reacts and develops some antibodies. The test detects these antibodies despite the fact that infection could have taken place years ago.

The Anti-HCV test shows if the patient was or is infected but not if the virus is present. Another test for HCV RNA (Hepatitis C viral load test) needs to be done to affirm an infection as active. Double testing allows physicians to diagnose and treat appropriately.

Why is the Anti-HCV Test Done?

Anti-HCV testing is the initial step in diagnosing Hepatitis C in risk groups. It is utilized in the following:

  • Routinely screening patients with raised liver enzymes
  • Patients who are intravenous drug abuse history takers
  • Patients who received blood transfusions or had organ transplants prior to 1992
  • Healthcare workers occupationally exposed
  • Patients who are HIV infected or born to an HCV-infected mother
  • Patients on dialysis or chronic fatigue and jaundice
Second, the initial HCV infection symptoms, including joint pain, fatigue, and liver inflammation, are not observed. Thus, physicians can undergo the test even without visible symptoms.

How to Prepare for an Anti-HCV Test?

Preparation for Anti-HCV testing is easy as the test is not conducted post-fasting or post-complete interruption in your schedule. But do pay attention to the following tips to get through easily:

  • Wear a loose-shirt or short-sleeved shirt to give easy access to your arm.
  • Stay well-hydrated to give easy vein access to the technician.
  • Tell all the drugs you are taking, particularly blood thinners.
If other tests are being taken at the same time, such as liver tests or HCV RNA testing, you might receive further instructions from your doctor.

Anti-HCV Test Procedure

The test is done as a standard blood draw procedure, often done in a hospital, clinic laboratory, or diagnostic center:

  • Antiseptic is placed on the skin over the area on your arm.
  • Taking the Test
  • No preparation is needed.
  • A sterile needle is put in a vein, and blood is filled in a vial.
  • The vial is labeled with the patient's marker and is taken to the lab.
  • Results take 24 to 72 hours from the lab.
Less than 10 minutes is all it takes and is not painful much. It only stings or pricks slightly to most patients.

What to Expect After the Anti-HCV Test

You may go back to normal activities after the blood test. Side effects occurring at the injection site can be endured briefly and are:

  • Mild soreness
  • Dizziness in those who are apt to do this
  • Mild bruising or swelling
There are no harmful side effects from the test. If the positive reaction is whether or not you currently have an infection, your health care professional will probably have an HCV RNA test done.


Interpretation of Anti-HCV Test Results

The Anti-HCV test result is two-fold, Anti-HCV negative (non-reactive) or Anti-HCV Positive (reactive):

  • Anti-HCV Negative: You have no antibodies to HCV. This indicates you probably haven't been infected. However, if you've just been infected (within the past 6–12 weeks), your body perhaps hasn't yet had a sufficient opportunity to produce detectable antibodies, this is the "HCV window period." In these circumstances, you must be retaken.
  • Anti-HCV Positive: Antibodies to the virus have been found, which means that you've had exposure to the Hepatitis C virus. This does not rule out an active infection, and thus an HCV RNA test must be performed to find the genetic material of the virus and check if it is in your blood.

Conditions Diagnosed by Anti-HCV Test

Anti-HCV testing is used to detect current or past infection with the Hepatitis C virus. It does not test Liver function in HCV patients or detect damage to the liver, but it's often the gateway to diagnosis for most liver diseases:

  • Acute Hepatitis C: An acute disease which may possibly cure itself.
  • Chronic Hepatitis C: A chronic disease which needs to be treated with antiviral therapy.
  • Liver Fibrosis or Cirrhosis: Can be due to untreat HCV years later.
  • Reinfection or Post-treatment Monitoring: For individuals who were treated and tested earlier and later.
On finding abnormalities, other investigations are liver ultrasound, biopsy, and liver function tests.

Anti-HCV Test vs. HCV RNA

Both tests are related to Hepatitis C diagnosis but for two reasons:

Anti-HCV Test

  • Identifies antibodies exposing the individual to HCV in the past.
  • Does not signify presence of the virus.
  • Screening in risk populations initially.

HCV RNA Test

  • Detection of true presence of virus RNA in the blood.
  • Hepatitis C virus detection (active infection).
  • For treatment and follow-up.
Doctors begin with the Anti-HCV test. On a positive test, they order HCV RNA test for confirmation.

Anti-HCV Test Price in Pakistan

Anti-HCV test cost in Pakistan is center and location-based. Here is the estimated breakup:

  • Private Labs: PKR 800 to PKR 1,500
  • Government Hospitals: Free or subsidized
  • Home Sample Collection: Additional charges could be made
Repeat HCV RNA tests are costlier, ranging from PKR 3,000 to PKR 6,000, varying with the lab and timeline of the report. Various websites have online lab test booking Pakistan, by which clients can compare the prices of diagnostic tests, enjoy discounts, and select popular pathology labs.

Book lab tests from the best-certified labs in Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad, and all major cities of Pakistan through InstaCare, and get a discount of up to 35%. For assistance, call our helpline at 03171777509 to find the right lab test for your health needs.