Hepatitis B and C testing

[quickfeet]

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Questions 1: Are the initial screening tests:

• Hep B surface antigen (HBsAg)
• Hep C antibody

Question 2: Do I have this correct? -->

• If HBsAg is positive, then you get Hep B quantitative DNA PCR
• If Hep C antibody is positive or equivocal, you get Hep C quantitative RNA PCR

 

[smartparts]

In practice, yes, but co-testing with surface and total core antibodies (IgG/IgM) is really the best because it can also detect low-level infection and the 'window period.' Viral load is both confirmatory and has implications for treatment.