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Hepatitis A Antibody
The Hepatitis A Antibody Test is done for differential diagnosis of Hepatitis. The Hepatitis A virus detection is done to get evidence for acute Hepatitis A.
Description: The IgM anti-HAV antibodies are a sign of recent infection with Hepatitis A virus. These bodies can be detected in the body within two weeks of interaction with the initial infection. The antibodies usually disappear from the blood in 3 to 12 months after being infected. IgG anti-HAV bodies indicate that you do have the infection. After the initial infection with Hepatitis A virus, the IgG anti-HAV antibodies will appear and remain in the blood for a lifetime.
What is the Test? The Hepatitis A Virus (HAV) is checked with this Hepatitis A Antibody Test. Hepatitis is an inflammation inside the liver, which originates from an infection. Most of the hepatitis infection is caused by 1 of the five viruses- A, B, C, D, or E. As the symptoms of all these infections are quite similar, the blood test can provide you accurate results of the virus that infected you. The immune system makes IgM antibodies when the body firstly gets infected with the virus. It takes 14 to 50 days on average to develop the symptoms of the Hepatitis virus. The IgM antibodies begin to appear in the blood in 5 to 10 days before you get the symptoms and stay active for about six months. A person can get HAV by eating or drinking any food item or beverage which is contaminated with the virus. People can also get infected by contacting the person who already has the infection. The rarest case would be getting infected with a contaminated needle. Usually, the infection clears up on its own within a few weeks or months. And once you've had HAV, you won't have it again as the body builds immunity to the infection.
Why you need this test? The test is needed if your healthcare provider suspects that you have a liver infection, which is caused by HAV. They will order the test if you have symptoms and have a history that puts the person's lives is at risk. The symptoms of HAV include: Fatigue
The yellow color of eyes, skin, and urine (symptoms like jaundice)
Some people and children may have HAV without symptoms as well.
What do Hepatitis A Antibody test results mean? Test results will vary as per age, gender, health history, and the method for the test. Normal results are negative, and it means that you don’t have the Hepatitis A IgM in your blood. If the test results are positive, this means that you have an active HAV infection or had one within the last six months. So, if you are scheduled for a test for Hepatitis A Antibody, don’t be nervous. The healthcare provider will take a blood sample, and you will get the results as soon as possible.