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 be used to also make a distinction between acute hepatitis and chronic hepatitis.
DID YOU KNOW THAT Since 1990, all blood products in Belgium undergo systematic screening for hepatitis C. Since then, the risk of transmission via a blood transfusion has been eliminated. Blood products and pregnant women are also systematically screened for HBV.
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. Certain groups within the population must be target groups for targeted screening for these infections. For example, screening pregnant women can prevent infections from mother to child; screening men who have sex with men, or intravenous drug users, can be used to implement measures to limit transmission, etc. In addition, in Belgium screening is carried out on donors and/or donor products, whenever blood, plasma, organs or sperm are donated, to ensure safety in healthcare.
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.