Acute hepatitis panel

Procedure Information

What is an Acute Hepatitis Panel?

An Acute Hepatitis Panel is a series of tests used to detect a hepatitis infection that has been active within the past six months, also known as acute hepatitis. The panel includes tests for antibodies to the hepatitis A, B, and C viruses and specific levels of certain chemicals in the blood that indicate an active infection.

Why Would I Get an Acute Hepatitis Panel?

You may get an Acute Hepatitis Panel if you have symptoms such as jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), dark urine, abdominal pain and fatigue. Other reasons to get an Acute Hepatitis Panel include if you have engaged in risky behavior that could lead to a hepatitis infection, travel to an area with high rates of hepatitis, received a blood transfusion, or if you have had a previous diagnosis of hepatitis.

What Happens During an Acute Hepatitis Panel?

During an Acute Hepatitis Panel, a healthcare professional will draw a sample of your blood and send it to a laboratory to test for antibodies to hepatitis A, B, or C. Tests are also taken to measure certain chemicals in the blood, such as alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST). Depending on the results of these tests, more tests may be recommended to determine the specific type of hepatitis.

What to Expect After an Acute Hepatitis Panel?

After an Acute Hepatitis Panel, the results will be sent to your healthcare provider, who can then explain the results to you and recommend treatment if needed. After the initial tests, care may include further testing for the specific type of hepatitis virus and medications to treat the infection.

Conclusion

The Acute Hepatitis Panel is a set of tests used to detect and diagnose a hepatitis infection that has become active within the past six months. The panel includes tests for hepatitis A, B, and C, as well as tests to measure certain chemicals in the blood that indicate an active infection. Results of the tests will be sent to your healthcare provider and retesting or treatments may be recommended depending on the results.