Private Hepatitis C Testing in London

The test looks for antibodies produced by your immune system in response to the hepatitis C virus.

A reactive hepatitis C antibody result means that you have been exposed to the virus at some point.

It does not by itself show whether the infection is currently active, your immune system cleared the infection naturally, previous treatment cleared the infection or the screening result needs to be confirmed.

A hepatitis C RNA or PCR test is normally needed to find out whether the virus is currently present.

A hepatitis C RNA test looks for genetic material from the virus itself.

It may be used after a reactive antibody result, where an exposure may be too recent for antibodies to be detectable, where the immune response may be reduced, during or after hepatitis C treatment, or where reinfection is suspected.

Book a private GP appointment if the possible exposure was recent or you have received a reactive antibody result.

Yes. DocTap’s rapid hepatitis test also checks for hepatitis B surface antigen.

Read more about private hepatitis B testing.

Hepatitis C is a viral infection that affects the liver. It is transmitted when infected blood enters another person’s bloodstream.

Some people naturally clear the virus without treatment. For others, it remains in the body and becomes a long-term infection.

Untreated chronic hepatitis C can gradually damage the liver. Modern antiviral treatment can cure the infection in most people.

Most people with hepatitis C do not have noticeable symptoms. When symptoms occur, they may not begin until weeks, months or years after the original infection.

Possible symptoms include:

• a high temperature
• tiredness
• loss of appetite
• feeling or being sick
• pain or discomfort in the abdomen
• yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes
• dark urine
• pale stools

Long-term infection may also be associated with extreme tiredness, itchy skin, anxiety or depression, difficulty with memory or concentration, or symptoms associated with liver damage.

These symptoms have many possible causes. They cannot diagnose hepatitis C, and feeling well does not rule out an infection.

Hepatitis C is transmitted when infected blood enters another person’s bloodstream.

Possible routes include:

• sharing needles, syringes, spoons, filters or other injecting equipment
• sharing equipment used to snort drugs
• a needlestick or sharps injury
• tattoos or piercings using unsterilised equipment
• medical or dental treatment where infection control is inadequate
• sharing toothbrushes or razors contaminated with blood
• receiving blood products in the UK before routine hepatitis C screening
• receiving unscreened blood products elsewhere
• transmission during pregnancy or childbirth
• sexual activity where blood is present

Hepatitis C is not transmitted through ordinary social contact, hugging, kissing or sharing food, cups or cutlery.

Hepatitis C is primarily a blood-borne infection rather than a conventional sexually transmitted infection.

Sexual transmission can occur, particularly where blood is present or sexual activity causes bleeding or injury.

A clinician can assess your circumstances and advise whether hepatitis C, private STI testing or an STI test package is appropriate.

Testing may be appropriate if you have ever shared injecting or drug-use equipment, may have had contact with another person’s blood, have experienced a needlestick or sharps injury, have had a tattoo or piercing using equipment that may not have been sterile, received medical or dental care where infection control was uncertain, received a blood transfusion in the UK before 1996, received unscreened blood products in another country, were born in or lived in an area where hepatitis C is more common, were born to a mother with hepatitis C, have had sexual contact where blood exposure may have occurred, have unexplained abnormal liver results, have symptoms that could indicate hepatitis, have been advised to test by a clinician, or previously had hepatitis C and may have been exposed again.

DocTap’s standard hepatitis C antibody screen is offered from 45 days after exposure.

The appropriate testing time depends on whether an antibody or RNA test is being used, the type and date of the exposure, whether symptoms are present, whether the immune response may be reduced, whether an initial baseline test is needed and whether repeat testing will be required.

A non-reactive antibody result taken too soon may need to be repeated.

A significant recent blood exposure should be assessed promptly rather than waiting for a routine test date.

A non-reactive result means hepatitis C antibodies were not detected.

This can be reassuring if the test was taken at the appropriate time. If the exposure was recent, the body may not yet have produced detectable antibodies.

Repeat or RNA testing may be recommended depending on the circumstances.

A reactive result means hepatitis C antibodies have been detected.

It does not automatically mean that there is an active infection. The next step is normally a hepatitis C RNA or PCR test.

A positive RNA result means viral material has been detected and an active hepatitis C infection is present.

You will normally be referred to an appropriate specialist service for assessment and treatment.

This may mean your immune system cleared the virus naturally, previous treatment cleared the infection, or further review or repeat testing is needed.

Hepatitis C antibodies may remain detectable after the active infection has cleared.

Further assessment may include hepatitis C RNA or PCR testing, repeating the antibody test, liver function blood tests, a full blood count and clotting tests, testing for hepatitis B and HIV, assessment for liver inflammation or scarring and onward specialist referral.

Liver-function tests cannot confirm or exclude hepatitis C on their own. Some people with hepatitis C have results within the laboratory reference range.

DocTap can explain the initial result and arrange appropriate onward care. Long-term hepatitis C treatment is normally provided through a specialist service.

Hepatitis C is normally treated with antiviral tablets taken every day for 8 to 12 weeks. Treatment cures the infection in most people.

Blood tests are carried out during or after treatment to check whether the virus has cleared. The exact treatment plan depends on factors including previous hepatitis C treatment, other health conditions, other medicines, the degree of liver inflammation or scarring and specialist laboratory results.

Most people do not experience significant side effects. Some may experience tiredness, headaches or nausea.

It is important to complete the prescribed treatment and attend follow-up blood tests.

If treatment successfully clears the virus, that infection has been cured.

However, treatment does not create immunity. It is possible to acquire hepatitis C again following another exposure.

Because antibodies can remain detectable after treatment, an RNA test may be needed if reinfection is suspected.

Untreated chronic hepatitis C can cause continuing inflammation.

Over time, this may lead to fibrosis, cirrhosis, reduced liver function, liver failure and an increased risk of liver cancer.

These complications do not occur in everyone and usually develop gradually.

Diagnosis and antiviral treatment can prevent continuing liver damage caused by an active infection.

Arrange prompt medical advice if you develop yellowing of the skin or eyes, persistent vomiting, significant or worsening abdominal pain, unusual drowsiness or confusion, abdominal swelling, unexplained bleeding or bruising, dark urine with pale stools or severe illness after a possible exposure.

Call 999 or attend A&E for collapse, loss of consciousness, vomiting blood, black stools, severe confusion or another life-threatening symptom.

Emergency symptoms should not be directed towards a routine private appointment.

There is currently no vaccine against hepatitis C.

Reducing contact with infected blood remains important. This includes not sharing drug-use equipment, toothbrushes or razors, and using licensed premises for tattoos and piercings.