Testing for Hepatitis

Hepatitis B Screening Test

Hepatitis B is a viral infection which can spread when an individual comes into contact with the bodily fluids (e.g. blood, saliva) of an infected individual.

Mode of contact can include blood transfusions, sexual intercourse, and the use of shared needles.  It is also possible for hepatitis B to be transmitted in utero between mother and child.

In response to infection, the body produces antibodies which attack the liver causing in inflammation and potential scarring.  Infected individuals may remain asymptomatic for several months however when symptoms develop they can include nausea and vomiting, joint pain, loss of appetite and jaundice.

  Hepatitis B surface antigen: £75.00

  Hepatitis B antibodies: £75.00

Hepatitis B FAQs

Q: Tell me more about the symptoms
A: The majority of people remain healthy and without symptoms while they fight the virus and many do not know they have been infected. If you have had unprotected sex, you should get tested, as you can also pass the infection onto others.
Where symptoms occur, this usually happens 1 – 2 months after exposure. Common symptoms of hepatitis B include feeling like you are generally unwell with the flu, with aches and pains, headaches and a high temperature. You might also experience weight loss and loss of appetite. Feeling or being sick, diarrhoea can occur. You might feel pain on your upper right hand side and you might also notice your skin and eyes become yellower (jaundice). These symptoms usually pass in a few months.  Chronic hepatitis is when you are infected for longer than six months.

Q: What is the treatment?
A:There is no specific treatment for acute hepatitis B. Medication is normally prescribed to patients with chronic hepatitis B.

Hepatitis C Screening Test

Hepatitis C shares similar modes of infection as hepatitis B but can be much more severe. The symptoms of hepatitis C can include: abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, fever, dark urine and fatigue. 

The hepatitis C virus can cause swelling and scarring of the liver and can cause significant liver damage.  Like hepatitis B, many people do not realise they are infected.

There are around half a million people infected with hepatitis C in England and Wales and many more who do not know they are infected. There is no vaccine available.

The course it takes is unpredictable.  One in five people will fight the infection and naturally clear it from their bodies in 2 – 6 months, experiencing no long term health problems. Others will develop mild to moderate liver damage. Others will experience severe scarring of the liver over 20 – 30 years, leading to liver cancer or failure.

Treatment is available but this only clears the infection of half of those infected and carries significant side effects.

The sooner you are tested, the better the prognosis so do not delay if you are concerned about having had unprotected sex.

  Hepatitis C antibodies: £75