Blood test for hepatitis

Hepatitis is a disease in which the hepatitis virus affects liver cells, disrupting all its vital functions for the human body. As a rule, this disease is transmitted in two ways - with unprotected sex and when contaminated blood enters the bloodstream of a healthy person (with blood transfusions, from mother to fetus, while performing tattoos, etc.).

According to statistics of the World Health Organization, several hundred million people suffer from hepatitis B and C worldwide. One of the main The reasons for the growth of this disease is an increase in the number of drug addicts taking drugs intravenously.

Infectious hepatitis is a very dangerous disease that can be infected absolutely by everyone. To determine the type of disease it is necessary to conduct a blood test for hepatitis. This study is assigned to people who have the following symptoms:

• Constant sensation of weakness of the whole body.

• Skin, mucous membranes of the mouth and sclera of the eyes acquired a yellowish hue.

• Decreased appetite or total refusal to eat.

• Occurrence of vomiting or very frequent desires for it.

• There is discoloration of feces and darkening of urine.

• Unpleasant sensations in the right side.

Infectious hepatitis is a disease that may not manifest itself for a long time. In this case, the person, being the carrier of the virus, does not experience any clinical signs. If, in this case, a blood test is performed for hepatitis, then he will certainly identify one marker of the disease. Then the patient must necessarily be registered with an infectious disease specialist.

With chronic hepatitis, the symptoms of the disease are practically absent or have a weak manifestation in the form of general weakness and rapid fatigue. But, as a rule, most people do not pay attention to this sign of the disease. As a result, the disease begins to progress and can lead to irreparable consequences.

When it is necessary to take an analysis for hepatitis C:

• After an accidental unprotected sexual intercourse.

• In preparation for the operation.

• When planning a pregnancy.

• When an increased level of liver enzymes is detected.

• After visiting the dentist's office.

Who should take the test for hepatitis C:

• People suffering from cholestasis (delayed withdrawal of bile).

• Drug addicts who inject drugs intravenously.

• Physicians who have constant contact with blood.

• Blood donors.

The blood test for hepatitis C should be taken in the morning and preferably on an empty stomach (on an empty stomach). It is worth remembering that the detection of the virus by laboratory methods is possible only 6 weeks after infection. Therefore, this analysis must be submitted only after this time.

If laboratory tests reveal a hepatitis C virus, the patient is assigned a liver biopsy, which is necessary to obtain more accurate information about the localization of the virus in the liver and the degree of its damage.

Doctors recommend a blood test for hepatitis 2 times a year. Then there will be an opportunity to diagnose the disease in time. The sooner it is revealed, the better the disease will be treatable.