The first type of testing looks for antibodies. The second test, called the PCR test, measures the amount of virus in your blood. A PCR test tells you if the hepatitis virus is currently present in your blood.

You should get a PCR test if you have ever tested positive for hepatitis C antibodies, even if you’ve been cured of hepatitis C before. If the virus is present, you have a hepatitis C infection. Hepatitis C can be treated and you can be cured. If the virus is present, your healthcare provider will work with you on a care plan for treatment and cure. Everyone should get tested at least once in their life. You can get tested again anytime you might have been exposed to the hepatitis C virus.

Why is testing important?

Many people with hepatitis C don’t have any symptoms, especially in the early stages. Even if you feel well, the virus can slowly damage your liver over time. It can also affect other parts of your body, including the heart and kidneys. Treating and curing hepatitis C protects your liver and can also improve your overall health.

If you think you may have been exposed to hepatitis C, it’s important to get tested, even if you have no symptoms and don't feel sick.

If you have ongoing exposure to hepatitis C, you should get tested regularly, at least once a year.

How testing works

Testing is the only way to know for sure if you have Hep C. If you have hepatitis C, you can be cured.

Testing for hepatitis usually involves taking a sample of blood and sending it to a laboratory.

What does the test look for?

Testing for hepatitis C usually involves two steps:

1. Antibody test: Have you ever had the virus?

Hepatitis C antibodies are proteins your immune system makes. An antibody test looks to see if these proteins are in your body.

• A positive result means you have had hepatitis C at some point.
• An antibody test does not tell you if the virus is still in your body.
• Antibodies stay in your body for life, even if:
  • your body cleared the virus on its own, or
  • you were treated and cured.
• Once the antibody test result is positive, it will stay positive for the rest of your life. It will not become negative, even after cure.

2. Viral load test: Do you have the virus now?

If your antibody test result is positive, the next step is a viral load test.

• This test checks if the virus is still in your blood.
• If the virus is there, you have a hepatitis C infection. You can be cured with treatment.
• If the virus is not there, you do not have hepatitis C.

Important: Even if you’ve been cured of hepatitis C in the past, you can get the virus again.



Learn more about hepatitis C

• About Hepatitis C
• Hepatitis C Testing
• Frequently Asked Questions, FAQ