Anti-HCV antibodies

HCV virus

It is the virus that causes hepatitis C (HCV). The HCV virus leads to damage of the liver parenchyma. Infection with this virus is usually asymptomatic and, for this reason, can go undetected for many years.

It is an infection of the liver

HCV infection

The HCV virus is found in the blood and tissues of an infected person. It can be transmitted through contact with blood or a breach of tissue continuity (wound).

Situations in which infection most commonly occurs are:

• medical and non-medical procedures involving violation of tissue continuity without appropriate safety procedures to prevent infection,
• injection of drugs without safety and hygiene procedures,
• accidental contact with blood, such as a fight, during an accident or in contact sports (such as martial arts),
• sharing of cosmetic and hygienic utensils (e.g., razors),
• during cosmetic procedures performed with non-sterile instruments (ear piercing, piercing, tattooing),

The risk of contracting HCV through sexual contact is quite low, but increases in situations of injury, inflammation of the skin and mucous membranes of the genitals, anus or mouth. The virus is not transmitted with breast milk during breastfeeding, but can be transmitted during childbirth.

Who should get HCV testing?

• Patients with elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) enzymes in their blood.
• Patients with elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) enzymes in their blood
• Anyone who has ever taken intravenous drugs.
• Persons on continuous dialysis.
• Hemophilia patients born before 1991
• Children of mothers diagnosed with HCV.
• HIV-infected patients.
• Patients with HIV
• Doctors and treatment nurses, paramedics, diagnostic laboratory workers