Some symptoms of acute (short term) hepatitis can be difficult to distinguish from other illnesses such as flu. This blood test can help identify the specific type of hepatitis virus, so treatment is more effective.
Overview
What is hepatitis?
There are several ‘types’ of hepatitis virus. Each can cause damage to the liver.
What are the symptoms of acute hepatitis?
Often there are no symptoms. Where symptoms do appear they can include fever, nausea, dark urine, pale faeces, muscle and joint pain, and jaundice.
What is acute hepatitis?
Acute hepatitis is a short-term infection. It will usually leave no lasting damage, unlike chronic hepatitis.
How do I get tested?
Book a simple blood test now.
Did You Know?
Hepatitis B and C kill 1.5 million people worldwide every year.
What is hepatitis?
Hepatitis is a viral infection that inflames the liver and can cause lasting damage that can prove fatal. There are several causes of hepatitis. Hepatitis A, B, C, D and E are all caused by different viruses.
What is acute hepatitis?
"Acute" is the medical term for "new" or "short term". Most hepatitis infections are short term and will usually resolve themselves over a few weeks/months. Where the virus remains in your system for six months or longer it becomes a chronic (long term) infection and the implications can be far more serious.
How did I catch hepatitis?
The way hepatitis is transmitted varies depending on the specific type of virus:
- Hepatitis A is most frequently transmitted via food or drink contaminated by faeces of an infected person.
- Hepatitis B and C are most commonly spread by blood and other bodily fluids. Unprotected sex, sharing drug needles or sharing shaving razors are common methods of infection.
- Hepatitis D is also usually spread via blood or through sex, but can only be caught be someone who already has hepatitis B.
- Hepatitis E is most commonly caught by eating undercooked offal, pork, boar, venison and shellfish.
What are the symptoms of acute hepatitis infection?
Often, symptoms of acute hepatitis infection are mild. They’re frequently unnoticeable and will pass in time before the infection become chronic.
Where symptoms are noticeable they may include:
- Fever
- Nausea
- Joint and muscle pain
- Dark urine
- Grey, pale faeces
- Loss of appetite
- Jaundice (yellow skin and eyes)
How can this test help me?
Blood testing can help you understand not only whether you have a hepatitis infection, but which specific type you have. This test checks for hepatitis A, B and C.
As hepatitis is viral there is no cure, but the right antiviral medications can alleviate symptoms and help ensure the infection passes without becoming chronic. This test can make it easier to ensure you receive the right antiviral medication for your form of hepatitis.
If the test is positive, see your GP.
How do I get tested?
To get tested please contact Better2Know your Body on the number above or click book now.