In shortHepatitis C screening is by anti-HCV antibodies: a positive result means an encounter (current or past). Whether the virus is present now is shown only by RNA PCR. Window: antibodies — 4–10 weeks after contact, RNA — 1–2 weeks. Hepatitis C is curable today.
About the infection
Hepatitis C virus spreads mainly with blood. Its insidiousness is silence: the disease may give no sign for decades while slowly damaging the liver, so screening matters for every adult at least once in life.
Diagnostics is two-step: first antibodies (anti-HCV), then RNA PCR if positive. These are fundamentally different answers: antibodies mark an encounter, RNA — the virus’s presence now.
Diagnostic methods
| Method | What it shows | When it is used |
|---|---|---|
| anti-HCV (antibodies, ELISA) | A past or current encounter with the virus | Screening; if “+”, PCR is mandatory |
| HCV RNA (PCR, qualitative/quantitative) | Virus in blood now and its amount | Confirmation and treatment control |
| Virus genotype | Virus type (1–6) | Before therapy — affects the regimen |
| Liver tests (ALT, AST) and elastography | Liver condition | Staging of confirmed infection |
Window period: when the test becomes reliable
Viral RNA is detectable already 1–2 weeks after infection. Antibodies (anti-HCV) appear later — at 4–10 weeks, in some people up to 6 months. With a recent risk and negative antibodies, the test is repeated at 3 months.
How to prepare
Venous blood fasting or 4 hours after a meal. No special preparation.
Reading the result
| Result | What it means |
|---|---|
| anti-HCV “−” (> 3 months since contact) | No hepatitis C |
| anti-HCV “+”, RNA “+” | Active hepatitis C — see a hepatologist; modern therapy cures most patients |
| anti-HCV “+”, RNA “−” | An encounter happened, no virus: self-clearance or past successful treatment |
| anti-HCV “−”, RNA “+” | Early acute infection before antibodies — rare; the doctor rechecks |
When a retest makes sense
After a risky contact — repeat anti-HCV at 3 months. After successful treatment, RNA is checked to confirm a sustained response — on the hepatologist’s schedule.
Which specialist to see
A positive or doubtful result is reviewed by: Hepatologist, infectious disease specialist. Note the date of the first test and the possible contact — the retesting plan depends on it.
Several markers on your report?
The app reads your whole report — this marker together with its neighbors, not one by one.
Frequently asked questions
Hepatitis C antibodies positive — am I ill?
Not necessarily: antibodies persist after self-clearance and after successful treatment. Whether the virus is present now is answered only by RNA PCR — that is the next step.
Is hepatitis C curable?
Yes. Modern direct-acting antivirals cure most patients in 8–12 weeks. The regimen is chosen by a hepatologist or infectious disease specialist.
Who should get tested for hepatitis C?
All adults at least once; regularly — those with a history of medical or cosmetic procedures involving blood contact, tattoos and piercings, injecting drug use, unprotected contacts, and unexplained elevated ALT.
Sources
- MedlinePlus — Hepatitis Panel — MedlinePlus (medlineplus.gov). Accessed: September 17, 2026.
- MSD Manuals — Helminths — MSD Manuals (msdmanuals.com). Accessed: September 17, 2026.