Hepatitis B and C Screen
- Lab test with high level of accuracy
- Finger prick blood sample collection
- Fast results within 4 hours
- Testing for Hepatitis B and C
Hepatitis B
What is Hepatitis B?
Hepatitis B is a virus that affects the liver. The liver becomes inflamed
and cannot function properly.
How is Hepatitis B passed?
Hepatitis B is contained in blood, semen and vaginal fluids. Patients
infected with Hepatitis B can be infected through sexual contact
(including oral sex) or coming into contact with infected blood. The virus
can remain viable outside the body for approximately one week so this makes
Hepatitis B easier to pass on than something like HIV, which has a very
short life outside the body.
Can I get tested for Hepatitis B?
It is very easy to test for Hepatitis B using a small blood sample. At The
STI Clinic we can use a home collected sample from a finger prick test. We
then look for the surface antigen. Hepatitis B can be detected from around
2 months following infection.
Are there symptoms of Hepatitis B?
Many people will experience symptoms in the acute phase of the virus but
some people experience no noticeable symptoms whatsoever or only mild
flu-like symptoms. Where patients have obvious symptoms, these include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Fever
- Jaundice
- Dark urine
- Light coloured stools
Are there longer term health consequences?
Most people will make a full recovery after an acute Hepatitis B infection.
Around 90% of people will have no lasting problems and the body clears the
virus and they are no longer infectious. This process will normally take
3 - 6 months. Once the body clears the infection, the person is immune to
future Hepatitis B infections.
Around 10% of people infected with Hepatitis B will have the virus long term
and this is known as chronic hepatitis B. Some patients in this category
will remain well but will still be infectious and they are known as carriers.
It is impossible to predict the progression of Hepatitis B at the point of
diagnosis and the patient should be kept under regular medical attention to
monitor the recovery from the infection or progression of the virus.
Treatments
There are treatments that can impact the virus progression known as antivirals.
If we diagnose a person with Hepatitis B then we always recommend a follow-up
in a face to face environment and it can then be decided what treatment (if any)
is required.
Hepatitis C
The STI Clinic can also test for Hepatitis C. Hepatitis C is a different virus
that also affects the liver. The two infections should not be confused. To find
out more about Hepatitis C, please view our Hepatitis C page.
How Our Service Works
- Order your
STI test online
- Discreet package
arrives next day
- Provide a sample and post in pre-paid envelope
- Access results online
Hepatitis B and C Screen
- Order by 3.00pm Monday to Friday for next day delivery