What to Consider Before Being Tested for Hepatitis C
Before you have a test for
hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, your doctor
will probably give you information about:
- Ways that a person can become infected with
hepatitis C, including behaviors or exposures that might not have occurred very
often or that occurred many years ago.
- How the test is performed
and what the test results mean.
- What hepatitis C and chronic liver
disease are.
- The benefits of detecting hepatitis C infection
early.
- What types of medical treatment are
available.
- Possible adverse consequences of testing positive for
hepatitis C infection, including disrupted personal relationships and possible
discrimination, such as loss of employment, insurance, and educational
opportunities.
|
By
|
Healthwise Staff |
|
Primary Medical Reviewer
|
E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine |
|
Specialist Medical Reviewer
|
W. Thomas London, MD - Hepatology |
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Last Revised
|
July 6, 2011 |
Last Revised:
July 6, 2011