We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Health

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What are the Different Hepatitis Tests?

By K. Gierok
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 3,229
Share

Hepatitis is a general condition that encompassed a number of viral infections. The most common hepatitis tests includes screening for patients who may be infected with the condition, as well as a number of clinically-based tests. These hepatitis tests include enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, recombinant immunoblot assays, and RNA testing. Often, while these tests are all equally effective, they are typically done in a specific order in an attempt to keep costs down. Patients who are positively diagnosed with hepatitis must often receive ongoing testing in order to evaluate their health status.

One of the best and easiest hepatitis tests is simply to identify those who exhibit a high risk for the development of the condition. This typically includes those who have been exposed to the condition through infected blood or tissue, or who are past or current drug users. In addition, the children of mothers who have been chronically infected with hepatitis are also commonly at risk for the development of the condition themselves. Individuals with abnormally high levels of certain liver enzymes may also be prone to hepatitis.

Individuals who are identified as being at risk for hepatitis infection are often then screened for the disease through the use of a test known as an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). This test can only be used to detect antibodies associated with hepatitis B infection, and may require as much as six months after infection to provide a positive diagnosis. Those who are at risk for the development of hepatitis are often encouraged to receive the ELISA test on an ongoing basis in order to stay up-to-date on their current health status.

Those who do have a positive ELISA test are then often required to undergo further hepatitis tests. This usually includes a recombinant immunoblot assay test (RIBA). This is a more intensive round of testing that can usually easily identify hepatitis within a number of days. This test is typically used only after an initial positive hepatitis diagnosis through ELISA due to its high cost and need for specialized training to administer.

Some patients who may be at risk for hepatitis may be encouraged to have RNA testing done. Typically, this is encouraged only for patients who appear to be infected with hepatitis C. RNA testing is the fastest of all three forms, and can produce a positive diagnosis for patients with hepatitis C.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-are-the-different-hepatitis-tests.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.