An Acute Viral Hepatitis Screen Blood Test is used to diagnose viral hepatitis, which refers to inflammation of the liver caused by specific viruses, including hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C. These viruses differ in their mode of transmission, clinical presentations, and chronicity, but they all cause liver damage if not properly diagnosed and treated.

Components of an Acute Viral Hepatitis Screen:

1. Hepatitis A Virus (HAV) Test:

  • HAV IgM Antibody Test:
    • Purpose: Detects IgM antibodies against hepatitis A virus, which are present during acute infection.
    • Indication: Positive result indicates an active or recent hepatitis A infection.
    • Transmission: Hepatitis A is usually spread via the fecal-oral route, often through contaminated food or water.
    • Symptoms: Fatigue, jaundice, abdominal pain, nausea, and dark urine.
    • Resolution: Hepatitis A typically resolves on its own without chronic infection.

2. Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) Tests:

  • HBsAg (Hepatitis B Surface Antigen):
    • Purpose: Detects the presence of hepatitis B surface antigen, which indicates an active HBV infection.
    • Indication: A positive result signifies either an acute or chronic infection.
  • Anti-HBc IgM (Hepatitis B Core Antibody IgM):
    • Purpose: Detects IgM antibodies to the hepatitis B core antigen, which are present during an acute or recent HBV infection.
    • Indication: A positive result indicates an acute or recent hepatitis B infection.
  • Anti-HBs (Hepatitis B Surface Antibody):
    • Purpose: Detects antibodies to the hepatitis B surface antigen.
    • Indication: A positive result indicates recovery from infection or successful vaccination.
  • Transmission: Hepatitis B is transmitted through blood or other body fluids (e.g., unprotected sexual contact, sharing needles, from mother to baby at birth).
  • Symptoms: Jaundice, dark urine, fatigue, nausea, and abdominal pain.
  • Chronicity: Some patients develop chronic hepatitis B, leading to long-term liver disease such as cirrhosis or liver cancer.

3. Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Test:

  • Anti-HCV Antibody Test:
    • Purpose: Detects antibodies to the hepatitis C virus.
    • Indication: A positive result indicates exposure to the virus but does not differentiate between acute and chronic infection. Further testing, such as HCV RNA, is needed to confirm an active infection.
  • Transmission: Hepatitis C is mainly transmitted through blood-to-blood contact (e.g., through sharing needles, less commonly through sexual contact or from mother to baby).
  • Symptoms: Similar to hepatitis B but often asymptomatic in the acute phase.
  • Chronicity: Hepatitis C often becomes chronic, potentially leading to cirrhosis, liver failure, or liver cancer.

Other Relevant Tests in Hepatitis Screening:

  • Liver Function Tests (LFTs):
    • Purpose: Measure levels of liver enzymes (ALT, AST, Bilirubin) to assess liver inflammation or damage.
    • Indication: Elevated enzyme levels suggest liver inflammation, which may be due to acute viral hepatitis.
  • Prothrombin Time (PT)/International Normalised Ratio (INR):
    • Purpose: Evaluates the liver’s ability to produce clotting factors.
    • Indication: Prolonged PT/INR may suggest significant liver damage, especially in severe cases of hepatitis.

Common Symptoms of Acute Viral Hepatitis:

  • Fatigue
  • Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)
  • Dark urine
  • Pale stools
  • Abdominal pain
  • Nausea/Vomiting
  • Loss of appetite
  • Fever

Transmission Routes:

  • Hepatitis A and E: Spread through ingestion of contaminated food or water (faecal-oral route).
  • Hepatitis B, C, and D: Spread through contact with infected blood or body fluids (e.g., unprotected sex, needle sharing, blood transfusions).

Conclusion:

An Acute Viral Hepatitis Screen Blood Test is crucial for identifying and differentiating between the various forms of viral hepatitis. Early detection allows for proper management and prevention of complications like chronic liver disease, cirrhosis, and liver cancer. Depending on the suspected virus, specific antibody tests and liver function tests will be used to make the diagnosis.

Results – 4 hours from Laboratory receiving sample

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