Hepatitis means inflammation and enlargement of the liver. One of the most common causes of acute hepatitis is infection with one of the hepatitis viruses (usually A, B or C). Acute viral hepatitis panel is a group of blood tests that are often done to help diagnose viral hepatitis. Some of these tests detect antibodies produced by the immune system in response to infection, and other tests detect proteins (antigens) that indicate the presence of a virus particle.
The hepatitis panel typically includes the following tests:
Antibody test for hepatitis A (IgM class)
Antibody and antigen test for hepatitis B: Hepatitis B nuclear antibody (of IgM class) and hepatitis B surface antigen
Antibody test for hepatitis C.
For more details, go to the FAQ section: “How is this test used?” See
If there is a suspicion that the acute symptoms are due to one of the hepatitis viruses, or that a person has an increased risk of infection, or that they may be exposed to the virus, hepatitis panel tests can be used to determine if a person is infected and which virus they are infected with. Is help.
The hepatitis A (HAV) virus is highly contagious and is usually transmitted by eating or contacting infected food or water. Hepatitis A infections are usually mild, however in rare cases the disease can be caused by an acute illness. Hepatitis A does not cause chronic infections like hepatitis B and C. A suitable vaccine is available to prevent hepatitis A.
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is the most common cause of acute viral hepatitis. It is spread through contact with blood or other body fluids from an infected person. Exposure to it can cause transmission, for example, by sharing a needle for an intravenous drug or through unprotected sex. People who live in or travel to areas of the world where hepatitis B is prevalent are at higher risk. Rarely can mothers pass the infection to their baby (usually at birth). However, the virus is not transmitted through food or water, occasional contact such as shaking hands or coughing and sneezing. There is also a good vaccine to protect against hepatitis B.
The hepatitis C virus (HCV) is also spread by exposure to contaminated blood, infection by sharing needles with drug users intravenously, and by sharing blood-contaminated personal items such as razors, through intercourse. Sex with an infected person is transmitted through occupational exposure in health care personnel, and from mother to child during childbirth. Before HCV tests became available in the 1990s, the hepatitis C virus was often transmitted through blood transfusions. There is currently no vaccine to prevent HCV infection.
