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Hepatitis C Serology

Microbiology


Specimen

Blood sample (serum)

Specimen container

Gold top clotted (5ml)

Pink top EDTA (Renal patients only)

Special Instructions

Please state if patient is IVDU

Please give details of following clinical symptoms:

  • Acute Jaundice
  • Malaise
  • Abdominal pain
  • Nausea
  • ALT>400

Acute Hep C is mostly (80%) asymptomatic. In cases of acute hepatitis, also request Hepatitis A IgM, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis E.

Test Usage

Diagnosis of HCV infection.

Antibody is present in almost all patients by 1 month after onset of acute illness; thus, patients with acute hepatitis who initially test negative may need follow-up testing.

Availability

Local test

Processing Time

24-48 hours

Urgent Specimen Instructions

Please contact the laboratory for urgent requests

Reference

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/hepatitis-c-guidance-data-and-analysis

(Key words: HepC)

Specimen Labelling Procedure
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9018

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