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Hepatitis C
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The Test Sample
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What is being tested?Hepatitis C is a virus that can infect and damage the liver. Hepatitis C antibody is produced in the body in response to exposure to the hepatitis C virus (HCV). The most common test for HCV looks for these antibodies in your blood. Other tests detect the presence of viral RNA, the amount of viral RNA present, or determine the specific subtype of virus.
How is the sample collected for testing?
A blood sample is taken by needle from a vein in the arm.
NOTE: If undergoing medical tests makes you or someone you care for anxious, embarrassed, or even difficult to manage, you might consider reading one or more of the following articles: Coping with Test Pain, Discomfort, and Anxiety, Tips on Blood Testing, Tips to Help Children through Their Medical Tests, and Tips to Help the Elderly through Their Medical Tests.
Another article, Follow That Sample, provides a glimpse at the collection and processing of a blood sample and throat culture.
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This article was last reviewed on
December 16, 2005.
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