Hepatitis C Virus RNA, Quantitative

The Hepatitis C Virus RNA Quantitative test measures the amount of hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA in the blood. It is used to monitor the level of viral replication and assess the severity of the infection. This test is crucial for evaluating the effectiveness of antiviral therapy.

Also known asHepatitis C Virus Rna Quantitative Hepatitis C Virus Rna Quantitative

Available via

Home Collection, Lab Visit

Contains

1 parameters

Earliest reports in

Next Day

Test details

Hepatitis C Virus RNA, Quantitative Test in Mangaluru Overview

Interpretation 

Values below 34 IU/ml does not exclude possibility of an infection. It may reflect a viral load below the detection limit of the assay. An increase or decrease in viral load of more than threefold may be considered significant. Follow up viral load values below the detectable limit may indicate resolution of the infection after therapy. Reappearance or increasing viral load may indicate relapse or resistance to the therapy. All the results should always be correlated with clinical status and history of the patient.

Preparations

No special preparations needed

Test included
Hepatitis C Virus RNA, Quantitative includes 1 parameter

  • Hcv Viral Load
Frequently Asked Questions

The viral load provides an accurate estimate of the level of HCV replication. Quantitation of HCV RNA level is important as it serves to be a prognostic marker of HCV infection and is used for establishing baseline levels in patients before initiation of the treatment. It is also useful for monitoring the treatment.

Those who are at high risk for contracting the hepatitis C virus are recommended screening for hepatitis C even when symptoms are not present.

Risk factors include having contact with needles at work (tattoo or piercings), receiving kidney dialysis, having a HIV infection, unprotected sexual intercourse with someone who is infected, injectable drug use and those who may have received an organ or blood transfusion before 1992 (screening of blood products began only after 1992 and hence those who received transfusion prior to 1992 are at risk).

The viral load test also helps determine if treatment is progressing well.

The Hepatitis C Virus RNA Quantitative test helps in measuring the amount of hepatitis C virus in the blood.

Other names: Hepatitis C Viral Load Test 

Hepatitis C is a viral disease that causes inflammation and enlargement of liver. Like other viruses, hepatitis C infection is also marked with symptoms like fever, dark colored stools, dark colored urine etc. The body fights Hepatitis C and most often the virus is quickly cleared from the body. In certain cases, Hepatitis C is present chronically for a long time leading to liver cirrhosis and liver cancer. Since there are no symptoms present, a person with infection is not aware of the disease.

HCV viral load is expressed as IU/ml. The lower limit of quantification of this assay is 34 IU/ml.

Not detected

Test code

9891

Specimen vol. and vacutainer information
SpecimenVacutainerVolume
Plasma EdtaLavender Vacutainer1 ML
SerumYellow Vacutainer1 ML

Specimen stability information

Plasma Edta

Specimen rejection criteria

Test run frequency

Every Day TIME - 08:00

Turn around time

Next Day

Performing locations

Department

  • Molecular Biology

CPT and Loinc codes

Hepatitis C Virus RNA, Quantitative

9500