Hepatitis Serology Test

How the Test is Performed

Hepatitis Serology (HepA, HepB, HepC) is a blood test which requires a few millilitres of blood from a vein. Any of the three common hepatitis viruses can be tested for individually – for example only Hepatitis B serology – depending on the reasons for the test.

Medical Conditions and Symptoms

Hepatitis Serology may be requested by your doctor for a number of reasons, including:

• Screening test to determine hepatitis status, for example prior to childbirth, dialysis or a surgical procedure
• Investigation of jaundice (yellow skin or eyes) or abnormal Liver Function Tests (LFTs)
• Checking immunity to Hepatitis B, for healthcare workers or those with occupational (or non-occupational) exposure to body fluids with infective potential – eg a needlestick injury

Test Results Explained

Hepatitis Serology results will usually give an indication of previous infection, as well as current infection, and give an indication of immunity (antibodies) to future exposure, in the case of Hepatitis B.
Interpretation of these results can be quite complex, but the laboratory performing the test usually gives a short comment or explanation on the report.

Related Specialists

• General Practitioner (GP)
• Hepatologist
• Gastroenterologist
• General Physician
• Gynaecologist
• Immunologist
• Infectious Disease Physician
• Intensivist
• Nephrologist
• Obstetrician
• Occupational Health Physician
• Paediatrician
• Sexual Health Physician
• Travel Medicine Physician

Related Procedures

• Blood Test (venesection)
• Dialysis
• Tissue Biopsy

Related Tests

• Liver Function Tests
• Coagulation Profile
• HIV Test
• Rubella Serology
• Syphilis Test
• Abdominal CT
• Abdominal Ultrasound Scan
• Urinalysis

Also Known As

• Hepatitis screening
• Hepatitis Antibodies
• Hepatitis virus test

Links

• Australian Hepatitis Council – Hepatitis C testing
• Hepatitis C Council of WA
• MedLine Plus – Hepatitis virus test