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Hepatitis Testing Test

Hepatitis testing checks your blood for signs of a viral hepatitis infection, either current or past. Hepatitis causes liver inflammation and damage.

What this test measures

Hepatitis testing uses a sample of your blood to see if you have a current viral hepatitis infection or had one in the past. It looks for antigens (substances from the virus) and antibodies (proteins your immune system makes to fight the virus).

What your results mean

Reference ranges vary by laboratory and by your age and sex. MedlinePlus does not publish a single normal range for this test — always read your result against the range printed on your own lab report and discuss it with your provider.

Higher-than-normal results

A positive or abnormal result may mean you have an active hepatitis infection (acute or chronic) or had a past infection that cleared up.

Lower-than-normal results

A negative or normal result means you probably don't have a hepatitis infection. But if you were exposed, you may need to be tested again later.

Frequently asked questions

What does hepatitis testing look for?

It looks for hepatitis antigens (substances from the virus) and antibodies (proteins your immune system makes to fight the virus) in your blood.

Can hepatitis testing tell the difference between a current and past infection?

For hepatitis A, B, D, and E, it can. For hepatitis C, it cannot tell the difference between an active infection and a past infection that cleared up.

What does a negative result mean?

A negative result usually means you probably don't have a hepatitis infection. But if you know you were exposed, you may need to be tested again later.

What does a positive result mean?

A positive result may mean you have an active hepatitis infection (acute or chronic) or had a past infection that cleared up.

What happens if my test is abnormal?

You will likely need other tests to find out if you have an active infection and whether it is acute or chronic.

Related lab tests

Sources

Last updated . Information is aggregated from official public sources and is not a substitute for professional medical care.