Hepatitis C testing can tell you whether you have been exposed to and if you have an active infection to HCV. Antibodies to hepatitis C virus typically develop within 8-12 weeks after exposure. If tested earlier, the test may not detect recent infections. This test specifically looks for antibodies to HCV in your blood. A positive result means you have been exposed to the virus at some point in your life, but it doesn't necessarily mean you currently have an active infection. If antibodies are detected, further testing is performed to determine if you have an active infection.
 

It is recommended to consult with a healthcare provider if you have any questions about your result.

Many people with hepatitis C don't experience any symptoms, especially in the early stages. This is why it's often called a "silent" infection. When symptoms do occur, they may include¹:

• Fatigue
• Fever
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea
• Stomach pain
• Vomiting
• Dark urine or clay-colored bowel movements
• Joint pain
• Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)
   

Because symptoms may not appear until liver damage has occurred, screening is important for those at risk.

This hepatitis C test is recommended for^2,3:

• All adults aged 18 years and older are advised to screen at least once in their lifetime
• Anyone concerned about potential exposure or who wants to be proactive about their liver health
• All pregnant people during each pregnancy
• Those with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
• People with certain medical conditions, including those who receive maintenance hemodialysis
• Healthcare workers or others who may have been exposed to HCV-infected blood
• People who currently or have previously injected drugs and shared needles, syringes or other drug preparation equipment
• Individuals who received blood transfusions or organ transplants before July 1992
   

The CDC recommends periodic testing in persons with ongoing risk factors.³

If you test positive, you will be contacted by a physician from our independent physician network to discuss your results one-on-one in a stigma-free space. They can answer questions and provide personalized guidance to help with next steps, so you aren’t left wondering what to do.
 

Note: The consultation provided with our independent physician network does not include providing treatment or writing prescriptions. Please consult with your physician to discuss further monitoring and treatment options.

No. The one-on-one consultation is included at no additional cost for anyone who purchases this hepatitis C test and receives a positive result.

Yes, treatments are available and hepatitis C can be cured. Modern antiviral medications have made it possible to successfully treat most cases of hepatitis C. These treatments, called direct-acting antivirals (DAAs), are typically taken for a few months and work by stopping the virus from multiplying. A person is considered cured if the virus is not detectable in their blood several weeks after finishing treatment. Curing hepatitis C can stop and often reverse liver damage, reducing the risk of serious complications like cirrhosis or liver cancer. If hepatitis C is detected, it is important to seek treatment quickly for the best possible outcomes.
 

After successful treatment, periodic monitoring is recommended, especially for those with existing liver damage.

Your testing will be performed in a CLIA-certified clinical laboratory. Labcorp provides leading-edge medical laboratory tests and services through a national network of primary clinical laboratories and specialty testing laboratories. Our labs perform regular quality assurance testing to ensure our results are accurate.

Your results will be provided to you through our secure online portal to view or print. Results are also made available through a secure portal to the independent healthcare provider who placed your test order.  If you are accessing your results through your Labcorp Patient™ account, all users linked to the account will have access to all OnDemand test results. Results may also be provided to a local, state, and/or federal health authority; for example, many states require the testing laboratory and physician to report test results for certain communicable diseases, such as COVID-19, to local or state health departments.

If you have questions or comments regarding the Labcorp Notice of Privacy Practices, or have a complaint about our use or disclosure of your PHI or our privacy practices, please contact: privacyofficer@labcorp.com, call us at (877) 234-4722 (877-23-HIPAA) and ask for the Labcorp HIPAA Privacy Officer, or send a written request to: HIPAA Privacy Officer, Labcorp, 531 South Spring Street, Burlington, NC 27215. You also may file a complaint with the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Visit the Labcorp OnDemand® website to browse and purchase laboratory tests and create your Labcorp Patient™ account to view your results. All Labcorp OnDemand testing requires an order from an authorized healthcare professional. For your convenience, Labcorp OnDemand has contracted with independent professional entities (collectively, Providers) to deliver healthcare provider services. Visit a Labcorp location for sample collection; or, if using an at-home collection kit, collect your sample yourself. We’ll let you know when your results are ready and can be accessed through your Labcorp Patient™ account.