How to Test for Hepatitis? and Liver Diseases - healthcare nt sickcare

Hepatitis Testing Guide, Types, Tests and Prices

Experiencing persistent fatigue, jaundice (yellowing of skin and eyes), dark urine, abdominal pain, nausea, loss of appetite, or unexplained fever are primary symptoms indicating potential hepatitis requiring blood testing. Hepatitis (liver inflammation — a condition where liver tissue becomes inflamed and damaged from viral infections, excessive alcohol consumption, autoimmune disorders, or toxic substances, impairing the liver's 500+ essential functions including detoxification, bile production, nutrient metabolism, and blood clotting regulation) affects millions globally with viral hepatitis types A, B, C, D, and E transmitted through contaminated food/water, blood contact, or sexual transmission, making comprehensive hepatitis testing (blood tests detecting viral antigens, antibodies, or genetic material identifying infection type, assessing severity, and guiding treatment decisions) crucial for early diagnosis, preventing transmission, and avoiding progression to cirrhosis, liver failure, or hepatocellular carcinoma.

Since 2007, healthcare nt sickcare has provided comprehensive hepatitis testing to over 2,600 families across Pune through NABL-accredited laboratory partnerships, offering Hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E serology, viral load quantification, liver function tests, and complete hepatitis profiles with convenient home sample collection, affordable transparent pricing, and results delivered within 24–72 hours enabling prompt antiviral treatment when necessary. This detailed guide explains hepatitis types and transmission, symptoms requiring testing, comprehensive blood tests diagnosing each hepatitis type, treatment options and prevention strategies, and convenient hepatitis testing in Pune covering Aundh, Baner, Kothrud, Wakad, and Hinjewadi protecting your liver health.

Understanding Hepatitis Types and Transmission

Five main hepatitis viruses (A, B, C, D, E) cause liver inflammation through different transmission routes with varying severity.

Hepatitis A — Acute Foodborne Infection

Hepatitis A virus (HAV) spreads through contaminated food or water causing acute self-limiting infection usually resolving without chronic disease.

Hepatitis A transmits faecal-orally through consuming food or water contaminated by infected person's faeces, eating raw or undercooked shellfish from contaminated water, or close contact with infected individuals. Symptoms appear 2–6 weeks after exposure including fever, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, abdominal discomfort, dark urine, clay-coloured stools, and jaundice typically lasting weeks to months before complete recovery. HAV never causes chronic infection — immunity develops after recovery lasting lifetime. Prevention includes Hepatitis A vaccination (highly effective two-dose series), practising good hygiene (handwashing after toilets, before food preparation), avoiding raw or undercooked shellfish from potentially contaminated waters, and drinking only safe water in developing countries. According to WHO data, Hepatitis A causes approximately 7,000 deaths annually worldwide, primarily in areas with poor sanitation.

Hepatitis B — Blood-Borne Chronic Infection Risk

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) transmits through blood, sexual contact, or mother-to-child causing acute infection potentially progressing to chronic disease.

Hepatitis B spreads through contact with infected blood or body fluids including sexual transmission, sharing needles or drug equipment, mother-to-baby transmission during childbirth, needlestick injuries in healthcare settings, sharing personal items (razors, toothbrushes) potentially contaminated with blood, and rarely through blood transfusions before universal screening. Acute HBV infection causes symptoms in 30–50% of adults (fever, fatigue, joint pain, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, jaundice) whilst infants and young children are typically asymptomatic. Crucially, whilst 95% of infected adults clear acute infection developing lifelong immunity, 5–10% progress to chronic Hepatitis B, and this risk is dramatically higher in infants (90%) and young children (30–50%). Chronic HBV increases cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma risk 100-fold requiring lifelong monitoring and often antiviral treatment. Prevention includes universal Hepatitis B vaccination (3-dose series providing protection in over 95%), practising safe sex, never sharing needles, screening blood products, and administering hepatitis B immunoglobulin plus vaccine to newborns of infected mothers preventing transmission.

Hepatitis C — Silent Chronic Liver Disease

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) spreads primarily through blood causing chronic infection in 75–85% leading to cirrhosis if untreated, now curable with antivirals.

Hepatitis C transmits through blood-to-blood contact including sharing needles or drug-injection equipment (most common route), receiving blood transfusions or organ transplants before 1992 screening implementation, needlestick injuries in healthcare settings, being born to HCV-infected mother (5% transmission risk), rarely through sexual transmission (low risk unless blood contact), and sharing personal items contaminated with infected blood. Acute HCV infection typically causes NO symptoms in 70–80% making early detection difficult, whilst 20–30% experience non-specific symptoms (fatigue, nausea, poor appetite, muscle/joint pain). Critically, 75–85% of infected people develop chronic Hepatitis C persisting lifelong without treatment, silently damaging liver for 20–30 years before symptoms appear. Chronic HCV causes cirrhosis in 10–20% over 20–30 years, dramatically increases hepatocellular carcinoma risk, and accounts for 25–30% of liver transplants globally. However, modern direct-acting antiviral medications (DAAs) cure over 95% of HCV infections with 8–12 weeks treatment, making screening and treatment essential. No vaccine exists for Hepatitis C. Learn comprehensive liver disease testing approaches.

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Hepatitis D and E — Less Common Variants

Hepatitis D requires coinfection with Hepatitis B whilst Hepatitis E spreads through contaminated water causing acute disease.

Hepatitis D virus (HDV) is a defective virus requiring Hepatitis B virus for replication — it cannot infect alone, only coinfecting with HBV or superinfecting those already chronically infected with HBV. HDV dramatically accelerates liver damage causing more severe acute disease and faster progression to cirrhosis than HBV alone. Transmission occurs through the same blood/sexual routes as HBV. Prevention focuses on Hepatitis B vaccination preventing HBV infection thereby preventing HDV. Hepatitis E virus (HEV) spreads faecal-orally through contaminated drinking water particularly in developing countries with inadequate sanitation, causing acute self-limiting infection usually resolving within weeks. HEV is generally mild except in pregnant women where mortality reaches 20–25% particularly in third trimester. Chronic HEV infection rarely occurs except in immunocompromised individuals (organ transplant recipients, HIV patients). Prevention includes safe water, proper sanitation, and good hygiene practices. A vaccine exists but availability is limited.

Comprehensive Hepatitis Blood Testing Methods

Hepatitis testing combines serology detecting antibodies and antigens, viral load quantification, and liver function assessment.

Hepatitis A Testing — IgM and IgG Antibodies

HAV testing detects antibodies distinguishing acute infection from past infection or vaccination immunity.

IgM Anti-HAV Antibody Test detects IgM antibodies appearing early in acute Hepatitis A infection (within 5–10 days of symptoms), remaining positive for 2–6 months, indicating current or recent infection requiring isolation preventing transmission. IgG Anti-HAV Antibody Test detects IgG antibodies developing during recovery, persisting lifelong, indicating past infection with immunity or successful vaccination providing protection. Combined testing interpretation: IgM positive with IgG negative indicates acute Hepatitis A, whilst IgM negative with IgG positive indicates past infection or vaccination immunity with no current infection. No viral load testing exists for HAV as infection is always acute and self-limiting requiring only supportive treatment.

Hepatitis B Testing — Complete Panel Assessment

HBV testing requires multiple markers distinguishing acute versus chronic infection, immunity, and treatment need.

HBsAg (Hepatitis B Surface Antigen) is the primary screening test detecting viral protein on HBV surface — positive result indicates active infection (acute or chronic). HBsAg persisting beyond 6 months defines chronic Hepatitis B. Anti-HBs Antibody indicates immunity either from cleared infection or successful vaccination — positive result with negative HBsAg confirms protection. Anti-HBc Total Antibody (core antibody) indicates exposure to HBV — presence with negative HBsAg suggests resolved past infection with immunity. Anti-HBc IgM specifically detects recent infection. HBeAg (Hepatitis B e antigen) indicates active viral replication and high infectivity — positive in acute infection and some chronic cases. Anti-HBe Antibody development suggests viral replication slowing though not eliminated. HBV DNA Viral Load quantifies virus amount using PCR technology measuring viral replication — high levels (above 2,000 IU/mL) indicate active disease requiring antiviral treatment, whilst undetectable levels suggest good control. Genotype testing identifies HBV strain (A through H) guiding treatment selection. Book comprehensive Hepatitis B profile testing.

Hepatitis C Testing — Antibody Screening and RNA Confirmation

HCV testing begins with antibody screening followed by RNA testing confirming active infection guiding curative treatment.

Anti-HCV Antibody Test is the initial screening detecting antibodies to Hepatitis C virus — positive result indicates exposure to HCV but doesn't distinguish between past resolved infection and current active infection. HCV RNA Qualitative Test (PCR) confirms active viral replication — positive RNA with positive antibodies indicates current Hepatitis C infection requiring treatment, whilst negative RNA with positive antibodies suggests cleared infection (either spontaneously or through treatment). HCV RNA Quantitative Test (viral load) measures virus amount in blood typically ranging 100,000 to millions IU/mL — baseline viral load before treatment and monitoring during treatment tracking response. Viral load doesn't correlate with disease severity but undetectable levels 12 weeks after treatment completion (SVR12 — sustained virologic response) indicates cure achieved in 95%+ patients with modern DAAs. HCV Genotype Testing identifies virus strain (genotypes 1–6 with subtypes) — genotype 1 is most common globally whilst genotype 3 is most common in India, and genotype determines treatment regimen though modern pangenotypic DAAs treat all types effectively.

Liver Function Tests and Additional Assessments

Hepatitis evaluation includes liver enzymes, synthetic function tests, and imaging assessing liver damage severity.

Liver Function Tests (LFT) measure ALT and AST (liver enzymes elevated 5–10 times normal in acute hepatitis, whilst chronic hepatitis shows milder 2–5 times elevation), alkaline phosphatase and GGT (usually mildly elevated), bilirubin (elevated causing jaundice in severe cases), albumin (low in chronic disease with impaired synthetic function), and prothrombin time PT/INR (prolonged in severe liver dysfunction). Alpha-Fetoprotein (AFP tumor marker) screens for hepatocellular carcinoma in chronic HBV or HCV patients — levels above 20 ng/mL warrant investigation. Imaging including ultrasound, FibroScan (transient elastography measuring liver stiffness — above 7 kPa suggests fibrosis, above 12 kPa indicates cirrhosis), CT scan, or MRI assesses liver texture, detects cirrhosis nodularity, screens for tumours, and evaluates portal hypertension. Liver Biopsy provides definitive staging of fibrosis (F0 = no fibrosis through F4 = cirrhosis) and grading inflammation severity, reserved for uncertain diagnosis or assessing treatment candidacy. Our comprehensive testing helps assess liver health alongside fatty liver disease screening and supports liver recovery through liver-supporting nutrition.

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Treatment and Prevention of Viral Hepatitis

Hepatitis treatment varies by type from supportive care for acute infections to antiviral medications curing chronic disease.

Hepatitis A Treatment is entirely supportive as infection always resolves spontaneously — rest, adequate hydration, nutrition maintaining calories despite nausea, avoiding alcohol and hepatotoxic medications, and monitoring for rare fulminant hepatitis requiring hospitalization. Hepatitis B Treatment for acute infection is supportive as 95% of adults clear infection spontaneously, whilst chronic HBV requires antiviral medications including tenofovir or entecavir (first-line oral antivirals suppressing viral replication preventing cirrhosis and cancer, typically lifelong), pegylated interferon (injectable immunomodulator used in select patients, finite treatment duration but lower cure rates), regular monitoring with HBV DNA, ALT, and AFP every 3–6 months, ultrasound screening for hepatocellular carcinoma every 6 months in cirrhosis patients, and assessing treatment candidacy based on viral load, ALT levels, liver fibrosis stage, and HBeAg status. Hepatitis C Treatment represents major medical breakthrough with direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) including sofosbuvir/velpatasvir (pangenotypic single-tablet regimen), glecaprevir/pibrentasvir, ledipasvir/sofosbuvir achieving 95%+ cure rates with 8–12 weeks oral treatment, minimal side effects, treating all genotypes including difficult-to-treat patients with cirrhosis or previous treatment failure, confirmed cure (SVR12) when HCV RNA remains undetectable 12 weeks after treatment completion indicating virus eradication. Prevention strategies include Hepatitis A and B vaccination (safe, highly effective vaccines preventing infection), safe injection practices never sharing needles or drug equipment, screening blood products ensuring safety, practising safe sex using condoms, healthcare worker precautions following universal precautions, and newborn vaccination within 24 hours preventing perinatal HBV transmission.

Frequently Asked Questions About Hepatitis Testing

Curability depends entirely on hepatitis type. Hepatitis A always resolves spontaneously within weeks to months without chronic infection — no cure is needed as infection is self-limiting with lifetime immunity developing afterwards. Hepatitis B has no cure — whilst 95% of infected adults spontaneously clear acute infection developing immunity, the 5% progressing to chronic HBV cannot be cured with current treatments, though antiviral medications (tenofovir, entecavir) effectively suppress viral replication preventing cirrhosis and liver cancer when taken lifelong, maintaining undetectable viral loads and normal liver function in most patients. However, modern Hepatitis C treatment represents remarkable medical breakthrough with direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) curing over 95% of infections regardless of genotype, previous treatment failure, or presence of cirrhosis. Treatment involves 8–12 weeks of once-daily oral medication (combinations like sofosbuvir/velpatasvir, glecaprevir/pibrentasvir) with minimal side effects, and cure is confirmed when HCV RNA remains undetectable 12 weeks after treatment completion (SVR12 — sustained virologic response) indicating complete virus eradication. This represents true cure as virus is eliminated and cannot return unless reinfection occurs from new exposure. Hepatitis E typically resolves spontaneously like Hepatitis A except in immunocompromised individuals who may develop chronic infection requiring ribavirin treatment. Therefore, Hepatitis C is the only hepatitis virus that is routinely curable with current medications, emphasizing importance of screening, early detection, and prompt treatment preventing progression to irreversible cirrhosis or liver cancer whilst virus remains treatable.
Managing hepatitis whether acute or chronic requires comprehensive lifestyle modifications supporting liver health and preventing disease progression. Nutritional strategies include consuming balanced diet rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lean proteins providing adequate calories and nutrients for liver repair without excess fat or sugar, eating smaller frequent meals reducing metabolic burden on compromised liver, ensuring adequate protein intake supporting liver regeneration and preventing muscle wasting (0.8–1.2 grams per kilogram body weight daily, increased to 1.2–1.5 in cirrhosis without encephalopathy), limiting sodium intake to 2000 mg daily preventing fluid retention and ascites in advanced disease, avoiding raw or undercooked shellfish and unpasteurized products preventing additional infections, and staying well-hydrated supporting detoxification. Alcohol must be completely avoided as even moderate consumption (1–2 drinks daily) significantly accelerates liver damage in any form of hepatitis, worsening inflammation, promoting fibrosis progression, and dramatically increasing cirrhosis and cancer risk. Medication safety is crucial — avoid unnecessary medications particularly paracetamol (acetaminophen) in high doses (stay below 2 grams daily, ideally avoid completely in cirrhosis), NSAIDs potentially worsening liver function and causing bleeding in cirrhosis patients, herbal supplements and bodybuilding products potentially hepatotoxic, and always inform physicians about hepatitis diagnosis before starting new medications. Lifestyle modifications include maintaining healthy weight through gradual weight loss if overweight (obesity worsens fatty liver component), engaging in regular moderate exercise improving insulin sensitivity and reducing liver inflammation (150 minutes weekly), getting adequate sleep 7–9 hours nightly supporting liver repair, managing stress through relaxation techniques, practising safe sex and never sharing needles preventing transmission and reinfection, and most importantly adhering strictly to prescribed antiviral treatments when indicated achieving viral suppression or cure.
Hepatitis testing recommendations depend on risk factors, symptoms, and exposure history. Routine screening includes Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and Hepatitis C antibody (Anti-HCV) for anyone with risk factors including history of injection drug use, receiving blood transfusions before 1992, healthcare workers with needlestick exposure, sexual partners of infected individuals, people born in endemic regions, HIV-positive individuals, those on dialysis, pregnant women, and anyone with elevated liver enzymes of unknown cause. If initial screening is positive, confirmatory and monitoring tests include complete Hepatitis B profile (HBsAg, Anti-HBs, Anti-HBc Total, Anti-HBc IgM, HBeAg, Anti-HBe, HBV DNA viral load) typically costing Rs 2,500–4,000 for complete panel in Pune, Hepatitis C RNA qualitative and quantitative testing plus genotype costing Rs 3,000–6,000 depending on tests included, and Hepatitis A IgM testing if acute infection suspected costing Rs 800–1,200. Liver Function Test (LFT) measuring ALT, AST, alkaline phosphatase, bilirubin, albumin, PT/INR typically costs Rs 400–800 and should accompany hepatitis testing assessing liver damage severity. At healthcare nt sickcare, we offer transparent pricing for individual hepatitis tests and comprehensive hepatitis profiles combining essential tests at discounted package rates. Home blood collection is available across Pune for Rs 130 (often waived for packages) within 10 km radius from Aundh covering Baner, Wakad, Hinjewadi, Balewadi, Pimple Saudagar, Pashan, Bavdhan, Kothrud, Deccan, and Shivajinagar. Results are delivered digitally within 24–72 hours depending on test complexity. Contact us at +91 97660 60629 for current pricing and convenient home sample collection scheduling.
Hepatitis blood testing typically requires minimal preparation making it convenient to schedule. Fasting is generally NOT required for hepatitis serology tests (antibody and antigen tests) — you can eat and drink normally before HBsAg, Anti-HCV, Anti-HAV, and viral load testing as food consumption doesn't affect these test results. However, if your hepatitis test is ordered alongside Liver Function Tests (LFT) as commonly done, follow fasting instructions for the LFT component requiring 8–12 hours without food (only water permitted) for accurate ALT, AST, bilirubin, and other liver enzyme measurements. Medication management considerations include continuing all prescribed medications including antiviral treatments on regular schedule unless specifically instructed otherwise, informing your healthcare provider about all medications, supplements, and herbal products you take as some may affect liver enzyme levels, and if taking biotin (vitamin B7) supplements, stopping them 2–3 days before testing if using high doses (above 5 mg daily) as biotin can interfere with certain assay technologies though this rarely affects hepatitis tests. Timing considerations include scheduling testing at least 4–6 weeks after suspected exposure for accurate antibody detection as antibodies take time to develop (window period), noting that very early acute infection may show negative antibody tests despite active infection requiring repeat testing if clinical suspicion remains high, and for monitoring chronic hepatitis, maintaining consistent testing schedules (every 3–6 months) at similar times of day for accurate trend comparison. Stay well-hydrated drinking adequate water before testing as this improves blood flow making sample collection easier and more comfortable. Inform the phlebotomist if you have difficult veins, tendency to faint, or are taking blood thinners requiring extra pressure after needle removal.
healthcare nt sickcare provides comprehensive hepatitis testing in Pune with convenient home blood sample collection eliminating clinic visits, travel time, and waiting periods. We serve extensive areas within 10 km radius from our Aundh base including Aundh, Baner, Wakad, Hinjewadi, Balewadi, Pimple Saudagar, Pashan, Bavdhan, Kothrud, Deccan, and Shivajinagar. To schedule home collection for hepatitis testing, contact us via phone (+91 97660 60629), WhatsApp, or through our website, specify which hepatitis tests you need (Hepatitis A, B, C screening, complete profiles, viral load quantification, or comprehensive hepatitis panel), confirm your complete address with landmark, and select preferred collection time (flexible scheduling as hepatitis tests don't require fasting unless combined with LFT). Our trained phlebotomist arrives at your residence, office, or preferred location with sterile equipment, collects blood sample following safety protocols taking only 2–3 minutes, and immediately transports sample to our NABL-accredited partner laboratory for processing using automated immunoassay analysers and PCR technology for viral load quantification ensuring accuracy meeting international quality standards. Home collection costs Rs 130 (often waived for test packages or orders above Rs 1,001). Digital reports are delivered within 24–72 hours depending on test complexity (serology tests 24–48 hours, viral load and genotype 48–72 hours) via email and WhatsApp for convenient physician consultation. We also offer walk-in facility at our laboratory for patients preferring direct visits. Our comprehensive Hepatitis profiles combine essential screening and confirmatory tests at discounted package pricing compared to ordering individual tests, enabling affordable, accurate diagnosis guiding appropriate treatment and preventing transmission whilst protecting your liver health.
Several symptoms warrant hepatitis testing though importantly, many people with chronic hepatitis B or C remain completely asymptomatic for years or decades whilst liver damage silently progresses, emphasizing importance of risk-based screening even without symptoms. Acute hepatitis symptoms typically appearing 2–6 weeks after exposure include jaundice (yellowing of skin and whites of eyes from elevated bilirubin — most characteristic hepatitis sign), dark urine resembling tea or cola colour from bilirubin excretion, pale or clay-coloured stools from reduced bile reaching intestines, persistent fatigue or weakness not improving with rest and interfering with daily activities, loss of appetite or nausea reducing food intake and causing weight loss, abdominal pain or discomfort particularly in upper right abdomen under ribs where liver is located, fever and flu-like symptoms including muscle aches and joint pain, and itching (pruritus) from bile salt accumulation. However, chronic hepatitis often produces NO symptoms initially or only vague non-specific symptoms including mild intermittent fatigue, occasional nausea or digestive discomfort, and general feeling of being unwell that patients may not attribute to liver disease. Advanced chronic hepatitis progressing to cirrhosis causes more severe symptoms including persistent jaundice, ascites (abdominal fluid accumulation causing swelling), peripheral oedema (leg and ankle swelling), easy bruising or bleeding from impaired clotting factor production, spider angiomas (spider-like blood vessels on skin), confusion or difficulty concentrating from hepatic encephalopathy (toxin accumulation affecting brain), and enlarged spleen. Importantly, healthcare providers recommend hepatitis testing based on risk factors regardless of symptoms including history of injection drug use, receiving blood products before 1992, sexual contact with infected partner, needlestick exposure, being born in hepatitis-endemic region, HIV infection, elevated liver enzymes on routine blood work, and pregnancy. Early detection through testing enables prompt treatment preventing progression to irreversible cirrhosis or liver cancer.

Take the Next Step with healthcare nt sickcare

Don't let hepatitis silently damage your liver — early detection through comprehensive testing enables curative treatment for Hepatitis C, effective viral suppression for Hepatitis B, and monitoring preventing progression to cirrhosis or liver cancer. With millions affected by viral hepatitis globally and many unaware of infection due to absent symptoms, proactive testing particularly for high-risk individuals provides essential health information guiding life-saving interventions. healthcare nt sickcare offers accurate NABL-accredited hepatitis testing, comprehensive profiles, viral load quantification, transparent affordable pricing, convenient home sample collection across Pune, and results within 24–72 hours enabling prompt physician consultation and treatment initiation. As a family-run Pune-based service established since 2007, we prioritise your health through professional testing, personalised service, and compassionate care. Ready to screen for hepatitis, confirm diagnosis, or monitor chronic infection ensuring optimal management? Book your Hepatitis B profile, Hepatitis C antibody test, or comprehensive hepatitis panel, or contact us at +91 97660 60629 to schedule convenient home sample collection today!

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Disclaimer

The information provided in this blog post is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding hepatitis testing, interpretation of results, or treatment decisions. Hepatitis test results must be interpreted by qualified medical practitioners in the context of individual patient symptoms, medical history, risk factors, and other diagnostic information. Normal reference ranges vary between laboratories and testing methodologies. Self-diagnosis and self-treatment of hepatitis can be dangerous — positive results require proper medical evaluation including confirmatory testing, liver function assessment, fibrosis staging, and treatment planning under specialist supervision. Antiviral medications have specific indications, contraindications, and require monitoring for effectiveness and side effects. healthcare nt sickcare partners with NABL-accredited laboratories for sample processing but does not operate its own laboratory facilities. Images used on test product pages are AI-generated via Google Gemini and Shopify Magic. For more details on our services and policies, please review our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

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