Hepatitis A (IgM)
Private Hepatitis A IgM testing in London for £70.99, measuring one acute infection antibody marker with results expected in around 1 day.
Turnaround time
1 business day
Biomarkers count
1
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Overview of the Hepatitis A (IgM) Test
The Hepatitis A (IgM) blood test detects IgM antibodies directed against Hepatitis A Virus, commonly referred to as anti-HAV IgM.
The test contains 1 biomarker: Hepatitis A (IgM) Antibodies.
IgM anti-HAV is the principal serological marker used when recent or acute Hepatitis A infection is suspected.
It usually appears around the period when symptoms develop and can remain detectable for several months following infection.
Hepatitis A is transmitted mainly by the faecal-oral route, commonly through contaminated food or water or through close contact with an infected person.
Unlike Hepatitis B and C, Hepatitis A does not usually become chronic.
A positive IgM result in someone with compatible symptoms and exposure history strongly supports recent Hepatitis A infection.
However, IgM results should still be interpreted carefully.
False-positive or cross-reactive results can occur, particularly when IgM testing is performed indiscriminately in people without compatible symptoms or epidemiological risk.
A person tested very early in the illness can also initially have a negative result before the antibody response becomes clearly detectable.
For this reason, Hepatitis A IgM is best used when there is a genuine clinical suspicion of acute viral hepatitis rather than as a routine immunity test.
Immunity after previous infection or vaccination is better assessed using IgG or total Hepatitis A antibody testing.
What Does the Hepatitis A (IgM) Test Check?
The test detects the early antibody response associated with recent Hepatitis A infection. This test measures 1 biomarker.
Hepatitis A (IgM) Antibodies
Detects IgM antibodies to Hepatitis A Virus, an important serological marker associated with current or recently acquired Hepatitis A infection.
Who May Benefit From the Hepatitis A (IgM) Test?
IgM testing is most appropriate when symptoms and exposure history raise a realistic possibility of acute Hepatitis A.
People with symptoms of acute viral hepatitis - IgM anti-HAV can confirm recent Hepatitis A in the appropriate clinical setting.
People with jaundice after relevant travel - Hepatitis A remains an important travel-associated infection.
People with known close contact with a confirmed Hepatitis A case - Testing may be appropriate if symptoms subsequently develop.
People with acute abnormal liver-function results - Viral hepatitis may need investigation.
People with gastrointestinal symptoms followed by jaundice - This pattern can occur with acute Hepatitis A.
People exposed to a recognised Hepatitis A outbreak - Epidemiological context increases the relevance of testing.
People with a previous equivocal IgM result - Repeat testing may be required when clinical suspicion remains high.
How to Prepare
IgM testing should be interpreted in the context of compatible symptoms and exposure history.
Routine screening of asymptomatic people with Hepatitis A IgM can increase the chance of clinically misleading false-positive results.
Symptoms and Reasons to Consider the Hepatitis A (IgM) Test
Symptomatic Hepatitis A often begins with non-specific systemic and gastrointestinal symptoms before jaundice develops.
Jaundice - Yellowing of the skin or eyes is a recognised manifestation of acute viral hepatitis.
Dark urine - Bilirubin excretion can cause noticeably dark urine.
Pale stools - Reduced bile pigment reaching the bowel can lighten stool colour.
Marked fatigue - Acute Hepatitis A can cause considerable tiredness.
Loss of appetite - Appetite reduction is common during acute infection.
Nausea or vomiting - Gastrointestinal symptoms can occur early in the illness.
Right upper abdominal discomfort - Liver inflammation may cause tenderness beneath the right ribs.
Fever or flu-like symptoms followed by liver-related symptoms - Early Hepatitis A can resemble a non-specific viral illness.
Hepatitis A cannot be distinguished reliably from other types of viral hepatitis by symptoms alone.
Jaundice, persistent vomiting, confusion, bleeding or severe deterioration requires prompt medical assessment.
How to Book Your Hepatitis A (IgM) Test
The Hepatitis A IgM test can be booked privately for investigation of suspected recent or acute Hepatitis A infection.
Choose the Hepatitis A (IgM)
Select the individual Hepatitis A IgM blood test online.
Select your sample collection option
Choose an in-clinic blood draw or professional home or hotel phlebotomy where clinically appropriate.
Attend your appointment
A trained healthcare professional collects the required venous blood sample.
Laboratory analysis
Your serum is analysed for Hepatitis A IgM antibodies.
Receive your results securely
Your authorised result is delivered securely and can be interpreted with symptoms and liver-function results.
When Will I Receive My Results?
The expected laboratory turnaround for Hepatitis A (IgM) is approximately 1 business day after the sample reaches the laboratory.
The sample undergoes virology serology testing, quality-control checks and result authorisation.
Turnaround begins from laboratory receipt rather than necessarily from the exact time of blood collection.
Where testing is performed very early and clinical suspicion remains high despite a negative result, repeat testing can occasionally be appropriate.
Additional liver or viral-hepatitis investigations will have their own reporting times.
Understanding Your Results
A negative result means Hepatitis A IgM antibodies were not detected at the assay threshold.
When testing is performed at an appropriate stage of illness, this makes acute Hepatitis A less likely.
Testing very early can occasionally occur before IgM becomes detectable.
A positive IgM result supports current or recently acquired Hepatitis A in someone with a compatible clinical presentation.
IgM can remain detectable for several months after infection.
False-positive or cross-reactive IgM results are also possible, particularly when there is no clinical or epidemiological evidence of Hepatitis A.
The result should therefore be interpreted with symptoms, travel or contact history, ALT, Bilirubin and other viral-hepatitis investigations.
Why Book With London Blood Tests?
London Blood Tests provides rapid private Hepatitis A IgM testing for people undergoing investigation of suspected acute viral hepatitis.
Targets recent Hepatitis A infection - Detects the IgM response associated with acute HAV.
Relevant to symptomatic hepatitis - Useful when jaundice or markedly abnormal liver results follow a compatible exposure.
Useful after relevant travel or outbreak exposure - Epidemiological risk can be incorporated into interpretation.
Fast laboratory turnaround - Results are expected in approximately 1 business day.
Professional venous collection - Private phlebotomy can be arranged.
Secure reporting - Receive your authorised result confidentially.
Can complement wider hepatitis testing - Other viral markers can be added when the cause of hepatitis is uncertain.
Clear pricing - The Hepatitis A (IgM) test costs £70.99.
Private Hepatitis A (IgM) Blood Test in London
London Blood Tests provides private Hepatitis A IgM testing in London for people requiring assessment of recent or acute HAV infection.
The test costs £70.99 and measures 1 biomarker: Hepatitis A (IgM) Antibodies.
Results are expected approximately 1 business day after laboratory receipt.
Testing is most clinically useful when acute hepatitis is genuinely suspected rather than as a routine screening or immunity test.