Compare the leading brands testing Hepatitis B & C

Hepatitis B and C are viral infections that can lead to long-term health conditions if left untreated. It’s an infection that affects the liver, causing it to become inflamed or damaged, which reduces its function of processing nutrients, filtering the blood, and fighting infections.

Hepatitis is an infection often transmitted through the sharing of needles, the receiving of infected blood products or unprotected sex. Most people who contract the infection do not have any symptoms until the later stages of the condition, which is why it’s important to get tested to discover peace of mind.

What are the symptoms of Hepatitis?

• Bleeding and bruising easily
• Fatigue
• Poor appetite
• Jaundice
• Dark-coloured urine
• Itchy skin
• Swelling in the legs
• Weight loss
• Confusion, drowsiness, and slurred speech (hepatic encephalopathy)
• Spider-like blood vessels on the skin (spider angiomas)

What biomarkers does the Hepatitis Health test check for?

A Hepatitis test will check for the following biomarkers:

• Hepatitis B & C antibodies

Hepatitis can cause inflammation and scarring of the liver, possible leading to irreparable liver damage and is usually transmitted by blood-to-blood contact, such as through shared needles, but it can also be transmitted from a mother to her unborn baby, and through unprotected sex.

Discover the right test for you.

Key points:

• Hepatitis B and C are viral infections that can lead to long-term health conditions if left untreated, damaging the liver, causing it to become inflamed or damaged.
• Hepatitis is often transmitted through the sharing of needles, the receiving of infected blood products or unprotected sex.
• Most people who contract the infection do not have any symptoms until the later stages of the condition, which is why it’s important to get tested to discover peace of mind.

How a Sample is Taken

With most health tests, there are two options for taking a sample of blood, which is used to test for certain biomarkers. The two most common options are a finger-prick or venous draw:

Finger prick Draw:
Health Tests that take blood via the ‘finger-prick’ method are usually done within the comfort of your own home, enabling you to take a small amount of blood discreetly and conveniently when you want to.  

Venous Draw:
Once you have booked your health test, you’ll be sent the blood kit which includes all the equipment needed for a professional blood draw by an experienced healthcare professional, with clinics available across the UK to take your sample.

Details about which option is available for this health test, are available when you compare the results.

Frequently Asked Questions

• How severe is Hepatitis B & C?

  The Hepatitis virus affects the liver, causing it to become inflamed or damaged, which reduces its function of processing nutrients, filtering the blood, and fighting infections. Without the liver functioning as it should be, the body is put under stress, which can then lead to further health complications.

• What are the first symptoms of Hepatitis?

  Most people who contract the infection do not have any symptoms until the later stages of the condition, which is why it’s important to get tested to discover peace of mind.

• I think I have Hepatitis. What are the later symptoms?

  In its early stages, Hepatitis often does not have any symptoms. In the later stages, symptoms include bleeding and bruising easily, fatigue, poor appetite, jaundice, weight loss, itchy skin, and confusion.

• How can you contract Hepatitis?

  Hepatitis is usually transmitted by blood-to-blood contact, such as through shared needles, but it can also be transmitted from a mother to her unborn baby, and through unprotected sex.