Acute Viral Hepatitis Screen
Private Acute Viral Hepatitis Screen in London for £238, checking three hepatitis infection markers with results in approximately 1 business day.
Turnaround time
1 business day
Biomarkers count
3
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Overview of the Acute Viral Hepatitis Screen
The Acute Viral Hepatitis Screen is a targeted blood test designed to investigate important laboratory markers associated with Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C.
Viral hepatitis refers to inflammation of the liver caused by a viral infection. Several different viruses can cause hepatitis, and the laboratory marker required to investigate each infection differs according to how the virus behaves and how the immune system responds.
The current laboratory profile contains 3 biomarkers: Hepatitis A (IgM), Hepatitis B Surface Antigen and Hepatitis C Antibodies.
These three tests provide different types of information. Hepatitis A (IgM) is used principally to investigate recent or current Hepatitis A infection. Hepatitis B Surface Antigen identifies the presence of Hepatitis B surface antigen and therefore supports detection of current Hepatitis B infection. Hepatitis C Antibodies identify previous exposure to Hepatitis C but cannot, by themselves, establish whether the virus is currently present.
This distinction is important because the Acute Viral Hepatitis Screen is a screening profile rather than a complete diagnostic investigation for every form of acute viral hepatitis.
For Hepatitis B, a positive Surface Antigen result can occur in either acute or chronic infection. When acute Hepatitis B is specifically suspected, Hepatitis B Core IgM is an important additional marker.
For Hepatitis C, antibodies can remain positive after a previous infection has cleared or been successfully treated. A reactive Hepatitis C Antibody result therefore usually requires HCV RNA testing to determine whether there is a current infection.
The profile also does not test for every hepatitis virus. Hepatitis E, for example, can cause acute hepatitis and may require separate investigation where symptoms, travel history, food exposure or other clinical factors make it relevant.
The results should therefore be interpreted alongside symptoms, exposure timing, liver function tests, medical history and appropriate clinical advice.
What Does the Acute Viral Hepatitis Screen Check?
This test measures 3 biomarkers.
Hepatitis A (IgM)
Detects IgM antibodies produced in response to recent Hepatitis A virus infection. A reactive result can support current or recent Hepatitis A infection when compatible symptoms and clinical findings are present. Interpretation requires care because IgM may occasionally be detected after recent vaccination or produce non-specific reactivity.
Hepatitis B Surface Antigen
Detects Hepatitis B surface antigen, or HBsAg, in the blood. A positive result indicates current Hepatitis B infection but does not by itself establish whether the infection is acute or chronic. Additional markers, particularly Hepatitis B Core IgM when acute infection is suspected, may be required.
Hepatitis C Antibodies
Detects antibodies produced following exposure to the Hepatitis C virus. A reactive result indicates previous exposure but cannot distinguish a current infection from an infection that has subsequently cleared. HCV RNA testing is required to establish whether Hepatitis C virus is currently present.
Who May Benefit From the Acute Viral Hepatitis Screen?
This test may be suitable for people whose symptoms, recent exposure or previous laboratory findings raise concern about viral hepatitis affecting the liver.
Symptoms suggestive of acute hepatitis - Jaundice, dark urine, pale stools, nausea, fatigue and abdominal discomfort can occur with acute viral hepatitis, although other liver conditions may cause similar symptoms.
Abnormal liver function tests - Significantly raised ALT or AST may prompt investigation for viral hepatitis alongside other causes of liver inflammation.
Recent travel - Hepatitis A risk can increase in regions where sanitation or food and water hygiene are limited.
Possible contaminated food or water exposure - Hepatitis A is transmitted predominantly through the faecal-oral route and may be associated with contaminated food or water.
Blood or body-fluid exposure - Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C can be transmitted through infected blood, making testing relevant after certain exposure incidents.
Needle-stick or sharps injury - Occupational or accidental exposure to blood may require targeted hepatitis testing according to the timing and circumstances of the incident.
Sexual exposure risk - Hepatitis B can be transmitted sexually, making screening relevant following certain unprotected sexual exposures.
Previous unexplained hepatitis symptoms - The screen may provide useful information where a recent episode of liver inflammation did not have an established cause.
Previous abnormal hepatitis result - Repeat or complementary testing may be required following an earlier reactive screening result.
How to Prepare
No special preparation is required for the laboratory profile itself.
If testing follows a recent exposure, provide the approximate exposure date when seeking clinical advice. A negative screening result taken during an early window period may need to be repeated or supplemented with molecular testing.
Symptoms and Reasons to Consider the Acute Viral Hepatitis Screen
You may wish to consider the Acute Viral Hepatitis Screen where symptoms or recent exposure raise concern about Hepatitis A, B or C infection.
Jaundice - Yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes can occur when liver inflammation interferes with bilirubin processing.
Dark urine - Bilirubin entering the urine can make it unusually dark during some forms of acute hepatitis.
Pale stools - Reduced delivery of bile pigments to the intestine can cause stools to become unusually pale.
Persistent nausea - Acute viral hepatitis can cause nausea, particularly during the early symptomatic phase.
Reduced appetite - Loss of appetite is commonly reported during acute systemic or liver infections.
Right upper abdominal discomfort - Liver inflammation may occasionally produce discomfort or tenderness beneath the right ribs.
Unexplained fatigue - Significant tiredness can accompany viral hepatitis but is highly non-specific.
Fever or flu-like symptoms - Hepatitis A and acute Hepatitis B can initially produce fever, muscle aches or general malaise before jaundice develops.
Joint or muscle aches - Systemic symptoms can occur during acute viral infections, including some cases of Hepatitis B.
Recent exposure followed by abnormal liver tests - A combination of a credible exposure and newly elevated liver enzymes can make targeted viral hepatitis testing particularly relevant.
Many people with viral hepatitis have few or no obvious symptoms. Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C, in particular, can sometimes be identified through screening rather than because someone feels unwell.
The timing of testing after exposure is critical. Different hepatitis markers become detectable at different stages, so a negative test performed too early may not exclude infection.
A single screening panel should also not be used to rule out every cause of acute hepatitis. Hepatitis E, medication-related liver injury, alcohol-related hepatitis, autoimmune hepatitis and several other infections and liver conditions may produce a similar clinical picture.
Jaundice accompanied by severe abdominal pain, repeated vomiting, confusion, unusual drowsiness, bleeding, rapidly worsening weakness or other signs of significant illness requires urgent medical assessment rather than waiting for routine private blood test results.
How to Book Your Acute Viral Hepatitis Screen
Booking your Acute Viral Hepatitis Screen with London Blood Tests is simple and designed to fit around your schedule.
Choose the Acute Viral Hepatitis Screen
Select the Acute Viral Hepatitis Screen online and review the three included hepatitis markers before booking.
Select your sample collection option
Choose an in-clinic blood draw (+£35) or a home or hotel phlebotomy visit (+£60) where a qualified phlebotomist collects your sample.
Attend your appointment
A trained professional will collect your blood sample safely and efficiently at the clinic or during your arranged home or hotel visit.
Laboratory analysis
Your sample is sent to the laboratory, where Hepatitis A (IgM), Hepatitis B Surface Antigen and Hepatitis C Antibodies are analysed.
Receive your results securely
Your results are sent securely by email, ready to review yourself or discuss with a GP, hepatologist, gastroenterologist, infectious diseases specialist or other suitably qualified healthcare professional.
When Will I Receive My Results?
The expected turnaround time for the Acute Viral Hepatitis Screen is approximately 1 business day after the laboratory receives your sample.
Results are sent securely by email once laboratory testing and authorisation are complete. Turnaround therefore begins when the sample reaches the laboratory rather than necessarily from the time your blood is collected.
Reactive results may occasionally require repeat analysis, confirmation or further testing, which can extend the expected turnaround.
Understanding Your Results
The three markers in the Acute Viral Hepatitis Screen must be interpreted separately because they answer different clinical questions.
A reactive Hepatitis A (IgM) result can support current or recent Hepatitis A infection, particularly where symptoms such as jaundice, fever, nausea or abnormal liver enzymes are present. Hepatitis A does not become a chronic infection.
Hepatitis A IgM results still require clinical context. Recent Hepatitis A vaccination and occasional non-specific antibody reactions can complicate interpretation, particularly where someone has no symptoms of acute hepatitis.
A positive Hepatitis B Surface Antigen result indicates that Hepatitis B surface antigen is present and therefore supports a current Hepatitis B infection. However, HBsAg may be present in either acute or chronic infection.
This screen does not include Hepatitis B Core IgM. Where determining whether a Hepatitis B infection is specifically acute is important, Hepatitis B Core IgM is an important additional test.
A reactive Hepatitis C Antibody result demonstrates that the immune system has previously encountered Hepatitis C virus. It does not automatically mean the virus is still present.
Some people naturally clear Hepatitis C, and people successfully treated for Hepatitis C may remain antibody-positive even though they no longer have an active infection. A reactive antibody result therefore usually requires HCV RNA testing to determine whether current infection is present.
A negative Hepatitis C Antibody result also requires consideration of exposure timing. Antibodies take time to develop after infection, so testing soon after a recent exposure can produce a negative antibody result despite early infection. HCV RNA becomes detectable earlier and may be considered where recent infection is a significant concern.
Similarly, a negative result across all three markers does not exclude every possible cause of viral hepatitis. The screen does not include Hepatitis E, Hepatitis Delta or other infectious causes of liver inflammation.
The laboratory results should therefore be interpreted alongside ALT, AST, Bilirubin and other liver markers, symptoms, exposure history and the timing of testing.
Why Book With London Blood Tests?
Private viral hepatitis testing in London - Access targeted Hepatitis A, B and C screening through London Blood Tests.
Three complementary hepatitis markers - The profile combines Hepatitis A IgM, Hepatitis B Surface Antigen and Hepatitis C Antibodies in one blood test.
Relevant to acute liver symptoms - Testing can provide useful information where jaundice, abnormal liver enzymes or other features raise concern about viral hepatitis.
Useful after selected exposures - The screen may contribute to assessment following blood, sexual, occupational, travel or food-related exposure depending on the virus concerned.
Fast laboratory turnaround - The current laboratory turnaround is approximately 1 business day.
Clear limitations explained - Hepatitis B Surface Antigen does not independently distinguish acute from chronic infection, while Hepatitis C Antibodies require additional testing to establish current infection.
Clinic and home visit options - Choose an in-clinic blood draw or arrange home or hotel phlebotomy depending on location and availability.
Clear pricing before booking - The Acute Viral Hepatitis Screen is priced at £238, with sample collection charges shown separately.
Private Acute Viral Hepatitis Screen Blood Test in London
London Blood Tests provides the Acute Viral Hepatitis Screen blood test in London for people who require targeted assessment for important markers associated with Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C.
The test costs £238 and contains three laboratory markers: Hepatitis A (IgM), Hepatitis B Surface Antigen and Hepatitis C Antibodies.
Clinic appointments are available alongside home and hotel phlebotomy depending on location and availability, providing flexible access for people searching for a private hepatitis blood test in London.
The profile is particularly useful as an initial investigation where symptoms or abnormal liver tests raise concern about viral hepatitis. It should not, however, be considered a complete diagnostic profile for every form or stage of Hepatitis A, B or C.
Depending on the result and timing of exposure, further testing may include Hepatitis B Core IgM, HCV RNA, Hepatitis E antibodies or Liver Function Tests. A GP or specialist can advise which follow-up investigation is appropriate.