Hepatitis A testing Los Angeles commonly known as Hepatitis A virus (HAV) test is a blood test that looks for proteins or antibodies created by the body in response to the virus that causes hepatitis A. These proteins will be present in your blood if you have a hepatitis A infection now or have had one in the past. It's important to identify the kind of hepatitis virus causing the infection to prevent it from spreading and to start the proper treatment.

HAV infection is pass on through food or water that's been contaminated by the feces (stool) of an infected individual. IgM anti-HAV antibodies indicate a recent infection with hepatitis A virus. IgM anti-HAV antibodies normally could be detected in the blood as early as two weeks after the initial HAV infection. These antibodies disappear from the blood 3 to 12 months after the infection. IgG anti-HAV antibodies mean that you have had a hepatitis A viral infection. About 8 to 12 weeks after the initial infection with hepatitis A virus, IgG anti-HAV antibodies appear and remain in the blood for lifelong protection (immunity) against HAV. Hepatitis A vaccine is available to prevent an HAV infection. If you've had this vaccine and you've got anti-HAV antibodies, this indicates the vaccination was effective.

Hepatitis virus testing is done to: Identify the type of hepatitis virus causing a hepatitis infection. Screen people (such as doctors, dentists, and nurses) who have an increased chance of getting or spreading hepatitis A. Screen prospective blood donors as well as donor organs to stop the spread of hepatitis A. Find out whether a person has antibodies after getting a hepatitis A vaccine. If you had this vaccine and you now possess antibodies to the hepatitis A virus (anti-HAV antibodies) in your bloodstream, this indicates the vaccination was effective (you're immune to hepatitis A). Determine if a hepatitis A infection is the reason behind abnormal liver function tests.

Hepatitis virus testing is carried out by the doctor taking a sample of your blood which is going to: Wrap an elastic band around your upper arm to prevent the flow of blood. This will make the veins below the band larger so it's easier to place a needle into the vein. Then he'll clean the needle site with alcohol. Place the needle into the vein. More than a single needle stick may be required. Attach a tube to the needle to fill it with blood. Remove the band from your arm when sufficient blood is collected. Place a gauze pad or cotton ball over the needle site as the needle is removed. Place pressure on the site and then put on a bandage.

In doing the hepatitis A testing Los Angeles there is very little possibility of a problem from having blood sample extracted from a vein. You might get a small bruise at the site. In rare cases, the vein can become swollen after the blood sample is taken. Continuous bleeding could be a problem for people with bleeding disorders. Aspirin, warfarin (such as Coumadin), and other blood-thinning medicines could make bleeding more likely. If you've got bleeding or clotting problems, or if you take blood-thinning medicine, tell your doctor before your blood sample is taken.