Hepatitis panel

Hepatitis refers to a group of liver diseases that have various origins and causes, but they all have a similar effect — damaging liver tissue to varying degrees of severity.

First and foremost, testing for viral hepatitis is recommended for individuals who have experienced the following:

• dental treatment;

• blood transfusions or work involving blood;

• injections;

• surgeries;

• cosmetic procedures;

• manicures.

In addition, hepatitis testing is advised when changing sexual partners, planning a pregnancy, or in the case of skin injuries.

The following symptoms are also reasons to undergo hepatitis testing:

• heaviness, pressure, or pain in the liver area (on the right side under the ribs);

• yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes, itching;

• light-colored stool and dark urine;

• intolerance to fatty foods.

There are three main types of the disease: A, B, and C. The latter is the most dangerous, as its acute form often becomes chronic, leading to the progressive destruction of liver cells over decades.

Hepatitis A (Botkin’s disease) is transmitted through water, dishes, and food. This type of disease presents with yellowing of the skin, pale stool, dark urine, and has a very acute course.

Hepatitis B is mainly transmitted through blood. Anyone can contract it, so periodic testing is important to ensure timely treatment.

Hepatitis A is suspected in cases of:

• any clinical signs of viral hepatitis;

• delayed urine flow (cholestasis);

• contact with someone infected with hepatitis A.

Testing for hepatitis B is recommended:

• when clinical symptoms of viral hepatitis are present, but there are no markers for other types of the disease;

• during preparation for vaccination and when checking its effectiveness;

• upon detection of antibodies to hepatitis B.

Testing for hepatitis C is recommended:

• during surgical preparation;

• after unprotected sex or a change of partner;

• in cases of cholestasis, clinical signs of viral hepatitis, or elevated AST and ALT levels;

• with parenteral drug administration;

• in cases of intravenous drug use.

At Oxford Medical Clinic, you can undergo a complete blood count, a biochemical blood test, or liver function tests, including:

• AST and ALT — aminotransferases, enzymes whose elevated levels indicate liver dysfunction;

• Bilirubin (total, direct, indirect) — a pigment formed during hemoglobin breakdown; elevated levels signal liver failure;

• ALP and GGT — alkaline phosphatase and gamma-glutamyl transferase, enzymes that indicate liver issues when elevated in blood;

• Glucose — the body's primary energy source. Increased or decreased levels may indicate toxic hepatitis;

• Total protein and albumin — a significant drop in albumin may lead to swelling;

• Lipid profile — or blood cholesterol test.

Oxford Medical Clinic offers the opportunity to perform blood tests (anonymously upon request) for viral hepatitis B, C, and A — including rapid screening tests, HBsAg, HCV, and Anti-HAV IgG.