hepatitis A virus) the blood one month after the acute illness and persist for life. Serological blood testing showing the presence of anti-HAV indicates a past acute infection. HBV HBV has two antigens, a anti-HBsAg (hepatitis B surface antigen and a core surface antigen) is antigen present during the acute phase. HBsAg, and HBsAg that persists more than three to six HBcAg (hepatitis B core months indicates antigen). probable chronic disease or carrier status. Consequently, two types of antibodies appear in the A positive Australian blood antigen test is sufficient to confirm hepatitis B. anti-HBs (antibodies to the surface antigen), and anti-HBc (antibodies to the core antigen). HCV The presence of anti-HCV EIA (enzyme (including EIA or ELISA) immunoassay) or ELISA is sufficient for a (enzyme linked not diagnosis of chronic HCV immunosorbent assay, because it can be present also called Western blot) in other diseases. is the first test. If EIA or ELISA is positive, RIBA (recombinant immunoblot assay) is needed to confirm the diagnosis of chronic HCV. In lieu of EIA/ELISA followed by RIBA, a positive test for HCV RNA (hepatitis C viral ribonucleic acid) is sufficient by itself to confirm a diagnosis of HCV. HCV RNA results can be qualitative (positive or negative), or
hepatitis A virus) the blood one month after the acute illness and persist for life. Serological blood testing showing the presence of anti-HAV indicates a past acute infection. HBV anti-HBsAg (hepatitis B surface antigen) is present during the acute phase. HBsAg that persists more than three to six months indicates probable chronic disease or carrier status. A positive Australian antigen test is sufficient to confirm hepatitis B. HBV has two antigens, a surface antigen and a core antigen HBsAg, and HBcAg (hepatitis B core antigen). Consequently, two types of antibodies appear in the blood anti-HBs (antibodies to the surface antigen), and anti-HBc (antibodies to the core antigen). HCV EIA (enzyme immunoassay) or ELISA (enzyme linked immunosorbent assay, also called Western blot) is the first test. If EIA or ELISA is positive, RIBA (recombinant immunoblot assay) is needed to confirm the diagnosis of chronic HCV. In lieu of EIA/ELISA followed by RIBA, a positive test for HCV RNA (hepatitis C viral ribonucleic acid) is sufficient by itself to confirm a diagnosis of HCV. HCV RNA results can be qualitative (positive or negative), or The presence of anti-HCV (including EIA or ELISA) is not sufficient for a diagnosis of chronic HCV because it can be present in other diseases.