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Hepatitis C Serology

Microbiology


Specimen

Blood sample (serum)

Specimen container

Gold top clotted (5ml)

Pink top EDTA (Renal patients only)

To Request On EPIC

For electronic requesting using EPIC (RDUH ONLY):

Search for: ‘Hepatitis serology‘ or test code ‘O1230205‘ and select the appropriate panel

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

Processed locally in Microbiology at RDUH

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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