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What is Hepatitis A Test?
Hepatitis A test is designed to confirm Hepatitis A infection. It helps to identify active infections and infections that a person would have suffered in the past.
People infected with Hepatitis A produce antibodies in response to hepatitis A infection. The test works by identifying the presence of these antibodies to give a positive or negative test result. The two most common antibodies that can be identified are-
- Hepatitis A IgM antibodies-These are immediate action antibodies that appear in the initial 10 to 15 days of infection and stay in the blood for up to 3 to 6 months.
- Â Hepatitis A IgG antibodies- These are delayed response antibodies and only appear 2 to 4 months after your first encounter with Hepatitis A infection. They remain in the blood permanently of infected persons and offer lifetime immunity against Hepatitis A infection.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What is the Hepatitis A test used for?
Hepatitis A is an infection which causes swelling of the liver due to the hepatitis A virus. Hepatitis A test is used to identify Hepatitis A virus infection in a person. The test results are helpful in identifying active infections as well as infections that the person might have contracted in the past.
Understanding the test results of hepatitis A test
- Â During tests, if results show Hepatitis A IgM antibodies, it denotes that the person has an active infection.
- Â Â During testing, if Hepatitis A IgG antibodies are found, it means that the person has had Hepatitis A infection anytime in the past.
- Â Absence of Hepatitis antibodies means you have not been infected by hepatitis A.
Why do I need a Hepatitis A Test?
Hepatitis A test is important to assess if you have Hepatitis A infection now or had it in the past. This is a confirmatory test to rule out hepatitis A infection. In people with signs of liver damage, it becomes important to identify the cause of liver damage, whether it is Hepatitis- induced or alcohol-induced, so appropriate treatment can be started.
What happens during Hepatitis A Test?
During the test, your healthcare provider will draw out blood and collect it in a vial. The vial with blood sample is submitted for analysis to check for presence of hepatitis A antibodies. There are no side effects for the test, but it is best to consult a physician once.
Is hepatitis A an STD?
Yes, Hepatitis A can be sexually transmitted. The main route of infection is by eating anything that can be contaminated with an infected person’s faecal matter. It can also transmit by close physical contact (oral-anal sex) with an infected person. Other than that infection can be transmitted by consuming sewage contaminated water or improperly treated drinking water.
How is hepatitis A confirmed?
Hepatitis A test uses presence or absence of hepatitis A antibodies to confirm if a person is infected with Hepatitis A infection or not. The presence of Hepatitis A antibody indicates that either you are suffering from Hepatitis A infection or might have contracted the infection in the past.
Is hepatitis A treatable?
There is no concrete treatment for Hepatitis A infection. Most patients recover without any major side effects. Treatment is aimed at providing relief from the symptoms like vomiting, loss of appetite etc. All infected people might not show symptoms. Adults have more severe symptoms as compared to kids.
What happens if you get hepatitis A?
People with Hepatitis A infection show good recovery rates. You might experience lethargy, nausea, vomiting, fever in some cases. Some things to note if you have Hepatitis A infection
- Â Avoid taking any medicines without discussing with your doctor specially paracetamol, ibuprofen as it can have an impact on your liver.
- Keep replenishing fluids lost due to vomiting and diarrhoea
How do people get hepatitis A?
Hepatitis A can be transmitted from an infected person to a healthy person mainly through Faecal-oral route. Some instances -
- Â Â Unclean hands of infected person while cooking or serving food
- Â Â Improperly treated drinking water
- Â Â Physical contact
- Â Improper disposal of sewage water
Does hepatitis A Go Away?
The best way to avoid getting Hepatitis A infection is by getting vaccinated against the virus. Vaccinated people can resist the infection. If you have acquired the infection all focus should be towards managing your symptoms. The recovery rate for Hepatitis A infection is good and most patients recover without any side effects or complications.
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