How is hepatitis diagnosed?
The symptoms of the various forms of hepatitis are quite similar and non-specific. If hepatitis is suspected, it is therefore important to take a blood sample.
Blood tests can be used to ascertain whether antibodies (specifically IgM and/or IgG) are present, which is a sign that the body has responded to an infection.
Blood testing can also be used to make a distinction between acute hepatitis and chronic hepatitis.
Screening
Screening for hepatitis B and C is an essential step in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of these infections. Ideally, the screening for HBV and HCV should be integrated with screening for other infections, such as HIV or STIs. For certain key groups within the population targeted screening is useful. For example, screening pregnant women can prevent infections from mother to child; screening men who have sex with men, or injecting drug users, can be used to implement measures to limit transmission. In addition, in Belgium, screening is carried out on donors and/or donation products such as blood, plasma, organs or sperm, to ensure healthcare safety.
Recommendations for screening for HBV and HCV infections are available here:
- The World Health Organisation recommendations
- The ECDC recommendations:
- The Belgian Healthcare Knowledge Centre’s (KCE) recommendations on screening and prevention of Hepatitis C and on tackling sexually transmitted infections through primary care.