Hepatitis A is a liver inflammation caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV). The virus is primarily transmitted when an uninfected (and unvaccinated) person consumes food or water contaminated with an infected person’s feces. The disease is linked to contaminated water or food, poor sanitation, poor personal hygiene, and oral-anal sex.
How Is Hepatitis A Tested?
To identify hepatitis A (HAV) in the blood, our lab technicians, at Affordable Rapid Testing, run an FDA-cleared hepatitis A antibody blood test.
A sample of blood is required for our hepatitis A test. Blood samples offer more precise results than urine or other testing methods for hepatitis A. When you visit a testing facility, a lab technician will draw a small sample of your blood.
This hepatitis A test looks for IgM antibodies in your blood, which are proteins the body makes in response to a viral infection. You have likely been exposed to the hepatitis A virus if these antibodies are discovered.
Sensitivity and specificity are used to gauge the accuracy of all laboratory tests. Our hepatitis A test is FDA-approved and has extremely high sensitivity and specificity rates, both at 95%.
Who Is In Danger?
Anyone who hasn’t received a vaccination or who hasn’t had the disease before is susceptible to contracting it. The majority of hepatitis A infections happen in children under the age of five in regions where the virus is prevalent (high endemicity). Risk elements consist of:
- Poor sanitation
- Using unhygienic water & Food.
- Sharing a home with an infected person
- Having sex with someone who has acute hepatitis A infection
- Using recreational drugs
- Having sex only with men
- Visiting areas with a high endemicity without vaccination
What Should You Do To Get Ready For The Test?
There is no need to study for this test before going to the testing facility. No fasting is necessary.
When Should You Get Tested For Hepatitis A?
The time to test for hepatitis A is right now if you are sexually active.
The time between being exposed to the virus and when symptoms start to manifest is known as the incubation period, and it is generally advised to wait until the end of this period before testing. For the most accurate results, it is advised that you wait at least 14 to 35 days after contracting hepatitis A before taking this test.
Our healthcare providers at Affordable Rapid Testing, advise taking the comprehensive 10-Panel STD Test if you suspect you have hepatitis A but have not been tested for other STDs like chlamydia, syphilis, gonorrhea, HIV, hepatitis B, and C, or herpes. This will ensure that you are free of all STDs.
Is Hepatitis A Curable?
Hepatitis A currently has no known cure. There is, however, a secure and reliable vaccine that can shield you from hepatitis A. The availability of the hepatitis A vaccine since the 1990s has significantly decreased the number of hepatitis A cases.
Those who have not previously received the vaccine can do so within two weeks of virus exposure and have an 80% to 90% chance of remaining symptom-free.
Where to Get Tested for Hepatitis A In Phoenix?
Are you looking for Hepatitis A testing in Phoenix, Arizona? Do you need help with the STD testing protocol?
Find out how we can help you by calling 480-819-9408 or visiting our Affordable Rapid Testing lab near your location!
