Hepatitis C RNA Test

________________________________________________________________________

KEY POINTS

• The hepatitis C RNA test is a blood test that can show if you have been infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) or to check how well treatment is working.
• A small amount of blood is taken from a vein in your arm with a needle. The blood is collected in tubes and sent to a lab.
• Talk to your healthcare provider about what the test results mean and ask any questions you have.

________________________________________________________________________

What is a hepatitis C RNA test?

Hepatitis C is an infection of the liver caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV).

Ribonucleic acid (RNA) is a molecule that is in all of your body’s cells. RNA carries information that tells cells to grow, divide, and die. The hepatitis C virus also contains RNA. The HCV RNA can bind to and enter the cells in your body and make more of the virus RNA and virus protein. The HCV RNA test measures how much of the hepatitis C virus RNA is in your blood. This is called the viral load.

Why is this test done?

The HCV RNA test is used to find out if you currently have a hepatitis C infection, or if you had one in the past. It is usually done after you have a positive HCV antibody test. Hepatitis C is contagious and can be life-threatening. You may not have any symptoms of hepatitis until several weeks, months, or years after you are infected with the virus. Or you may never have any symptoms.

The test may also be used to:

• Help find out what kind of treatment might work best
• Monitor how well treatment works

How do I prepare for this test?

Usually no preparation is needed for this test.

How is the test done?

Having this test will take just a few minutes. A small amount of blood is taken from a vein in your arm with a needle. The blood is collected in tubes and sent to a lab.

Ask your healthcare provider when and how you will get the result of your test.

What does the test result mean?

A high viral load usually means that the virus is active in your body. A very low level of the hepatitis C virus means that your treatment is working well. A separate test can help identify the type of HVC virus you have.

What if the test result is not normal?

Test results are only one part of a larger picture that takes into account your medical history, physical exam, and current health. Sometimes a test needs to be repeated to check the first result. Talk to your healthcare provider about the result and ask questions such as:

• If you need more tests
• What kind of treatment you might need
• What lifestyle, diet, or other changes you might need to make