The Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) antibody test is a blood test that detects antibodies produced by the body in response to the presence of the Hepatitis C virus. This test is used to determine if a person has been exposed to the virus, but it does not distinguish between acute and chronic infections.
A positive result on the HCV antibody test indicates that a person has been exposed to the virus at some point in the past. If the antibody test is positive, further testing may be needed to confirm an active infection, such as a HCV RNA test to detect the genetic material of the virus in the blood.
It is important to note that not everyone who is exposed to the virus will develop chronic hepatitis C, as some people are able to clear the infection on their own. However, if left untreated, chronic hepatitis C can lead to serious liver damage, cirrhosis, and even liver cancer.
It is recommended that individuals at risk for Hepatitis C, such as those with a history of injection drug use, blood transfusions before 1992, or exposure to contaminated blood or needles, get tested regularly for the virus. Testing and early detection are key in preventing complications and spreading the infection to others.
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