HCV IgM Antibody
Blood Sample
Free Home Collection
Digital Smart Report
Recommended for Male/Female
NABL & CAP Certified Labs
Trusted by Leading Doctors & Organizations
About HCV IgM Antibody
Hepatitis C is a serious liver disease caused by the virus bearing the same name. The disease spreads from person to person through contact with infected blood.
The anti-HCV IgM antibody is a screening test that provides clinicians insight into an individual's history of Hepatitis C virus (HCV)infection. Such an evaluation is particularly important because most people who may have been infected with HCV do not exhibit symptoms and might develop life-threatening diseases like liver cirrhosis and even cancer if left untreated.
IgM antibody to HCV develops nearly 8-11 weeks after a person gets exposed to the virus and continues to persist at elevated levels for several months in the blood. In fact, in 50–80% of individuals with severe hepatitis C, this antibody can always be detected at low levels.
Therefore, undergo anti-HCV IgM testing if you think you are infected, as doing so will give you timely access to lifesaving treatment capable of curing HCV infection
What is the anti-HCV IgM Antibody Test Used For?
The anti-HCV antibody test is performed :
-
To diagnose patients with signs or symptoms of liver disease
-
To screen people who are asymptomatic and may be at risk for developing HCV infection
Symptoms of Hepatitis C
Hepatitis C can occur as acute or chronic. While chronic cases often lack symptoms, people with acute HCV infection may exhibit
-
Jaundice (yellow discoloration of the eye and skin)
-
Tiredness
-
Nausea and Vomiting
-
Fever
-
Pain in the upper right part of the belly
-
Joint pain
-
Dark-colored urine and stool
Test preparation
This test does not need any specific preparation. However, let your doctor know the medications and supplements you're currently taking, as they might influence the test results
Interpretation of the Test Results
Positive results
Getting this result indicates one of the 3 scenarios:
- Current, active HCV infection that requires further clinical evaluation and treatment
- Past exposure to HCV with spontaneous clearance
- False positive (meaning a person has HCV infection when they actually don’t.)
- But, the results do not indicate whether the infection is acute, chronic, or resolved.
A positive antibody test result should be followed up with an HCV RNA test.
Negative results
The results suggest that the individual is not infected with HCV and does not require further diagnostic evaluation unless they have HIV infection, are on hemodialysis, or have severe HCV infection
FAQs on HCV IgM Antibody
This test should be performed when a person has symptoms of liver inflammation such as jaundice, or has risk factors for HCV infection including drug abuse, HIV infection, or unprotected sexual contact with an HCV-infected person
The frequency of this test depends on the doctor’s recommendation. It is usually advised when acute HCV infection is suspected or when monitoring disease progression
Test results can be affected by the timing of the test since IgM antibodies appear 8–11 weeks after exposure, a weakened immune system that delays antibody production, previous HCV infections causing false positives, certain medications, and coinfection with HIV
HCV-IgM levels can return to normal after acute infection, but this does not rule out the possibility of developing chronic HCV infection later
HCV IgM Antibody
