Key Fact

• The various strains of Hepatitis are viral infections that damage the liver
• It is important to test for Hepatitis B and C because they cannot be cured, but various treatments are available to help manage the symptoms
  
• Over 1.25 million Americans are believed to be infected by Hepatitis B, and over 4 million are estimated to have contracted Hepatitis C
  
• Hepatitis can be contracted through direct sexual contact, sharing needles and blood transfusions
  
• Hepatitis testing can detect the disease when symptoms are mild or non-existent, but they can include jaundice (yellow skin and eyes), abdominal pain, dark urine, nausea and flu-like symptoms

Hepatitis B & C: what are they?

Hepatitis B and C are forms of human Hepatitis viruses. These viruses generally attack the liver. Estimates suggest there are over 1,250,000 American people infected with Hepatitis B and 3,900,000 carrying a Hepatitis C infection.

Hepatitis B:

Transmission of Hepatitis B is via direct contact with bodily fluids, including semen and vaginal fluids, or through blood of an infected individual. The disease can be sexually transmitted or via sharing needles with somebody infected with Hepatitis B. A baby may also contract Hepatitis B during delivery from an infected mother. Up to a quarter of those with chronic Hepatitis B infections will die because of the disease, but a Hepatitis B vaccine does exist as a preventative measure and there are medicines available for long term sufferers.

Hepatitis C:

Transmission of Hepatitis C occurs via contact with infected human blood. Sharing needles, borrowing a razor blade or toothbrush, penetrative sex, or blood transfusion/organ transplant from an infected individual are ways in which the Hepatitis C virus can be contracted. A newborn baby may also be infected during delivery from a mother infected with Hepatitis C.

USALabTesting'sSTD testing for Hepatitis is carried out through different methods depending on which variant is being tested for.

Getting a Hepatitis Test

If you think you may have been in contact with anyone carrying the infection, or that you may have contracted Hepatitis yourself, we recommend that you undertake Hepatitis testing as soon as possible. See our available tests on the right hand side for info and prices.

If you are not sure that your symptoms match those of Hepatitis, why not take our Full STD Panel test, which offers all 8 major STD Tests in one appointment and gives you complete peace of mind for an amazing price of just $245. Our Full STD Panel includes the Hepatitis test as well as tests for Syphilis, Gonorrhea, Chlamydia, HIV and Herpes.