Hepatitis C Virus (HCV), Quantitative Real-time PCR

What is the Hepatitis C?

Hepatitis C is an infection of the liver. There are five different types of hepatitis virus that attack the liver. Hepatitis C is the most serious type that can be transmitted through being exposed to contaminated blood. This virus is rarely transmitted through sexual contact. It is either acute or chronic; but, there is no vaccine that can help protect us from it. Hepatitis C cannot be transmitted through coughing or sneezing, sharing utensils, hugging and kissing as well as holding hands.

Unlike other kinds of hepatitis, being infected with hepatitis C does not protect you from being re-infected by it. This virus undergoes a lot of changes when it replicates in our system, this will prevent our immune system to build up an appropriate immune response for future infections.

According to the CDC, there were three thousand reported cases of hepatitis C, in the United States; but, the actual number of this virus is estimated to be forty one thousand cases. Up until 2016, 3.5 million people in the USA are living with chronic hepatitis C. Statistics show that 15-45 percent of people that are infected with hepatitis C, recover from it without a treatment, within six months of being exposed to the virus. Many people are infected with hepatitis C but do not even know it. This is one of the reasons why 55 to 85 percent of the infections transform into chronic ones. When you have chronic hepatitis C, you have a 15 to 30 percent chance of developing liver cirrhosis. Globally, 71 million people have chronic hepatitis C.

The quantitative real time PCR hepatitis C virus test measures the viral load in infected individuals. The count will come as number of international units per mL of blood. It is used measure the amount of viral RNA particles in the blood. It is also used to diagnose an active infection; as well as determine the body’s response to therapy, by comparing the before and after count of the virus.

Why take the Hepatitis C Virus (HCV), Quantitative Real-time PCR test?

Hepatitis C is an infection that could have no symptoms. While many can resolve the infection on their own within a few weeks, others will end up with liver cancer, liver damage or even and liver transplant. When a person is tested positive for hepatitis C, it is essential to follow up on the viral load to monitor effectiveness of the treatment.

According to a study done by the department of hepatology and gastroenterology at Saint Joseph Hospital in France and published at the Journal of Clinical Microbiology, getting a quantitative real-time PCR assay for hepatitis C is the most fully adequate testing method needed for clinical and therapeutic management of this virus.

Some people are at high risk of contracting the hepatitis C virus. These include individuals who have unprotected sex with someone who is HCV positive; share contaminated needles, like drug users; men and women who get a body piercing or tattoo with instruments that are not properly sterilized; anyone who works in a health care establishment where contaminated needles may struck him or her; anyone who is HIV positive; and finally, babies who are born of hepatitis C positive mothers.

What can cause the levels to rise?

There is no evidence that medicines and natural supplements do have an effect on this test results.

What your Hepatitis C Virus Quantitative Real-time PCR test results mean?

When your results show a high viral load, this normally indicates that the infection level is higher. However, for hepatitis C, a high viral load is not related to how you feel and how damaged your liver is. This number is the perfect indicator of how well a treatment is being successful.

If your viral load is less than 615 international units per liter; then, your system does not contain any detectable hepatitis C virus. This result could even indicate that the levels are too low to be detected.

If the viral load is higher than 800,000 international units per liter means that the viral count is still high and the treatment needs to be adjusted. If the levels are below that number; this indicates a successful treatment. After a period of eight to twelve weeks, if the viral load became undetectable, this marks the end of the treatment. You will no longer need to be treated for hepatitis C; but, still need to be tested after a while to check for a relapse.

If your hepatitis C viral load can be detectable, this means that you can transfer the disease to others. Make sure you take all the precautions necessary to keep your friends and family safe. With this kind of hepatitis, a vaccine is not available and cannot be the preventive measure. It can be very possible to have hepatitis C and not know it. The CDC explains that up to eighty percent of people, who are infected with hepatitis C, do not show any symptoms. Some people are infected for years before their symptoms start appearing.

Where can I get a Hepatitis C Virus (HCV), Quantitative Real-time PCR test near me?

Please use our Lab Locator to find find a convenient testing location.

Reviewed By: Dr. Kurt Kloss, MD
Last Reviewed Date: Mar 12, 2020