FaridabadBy Dr B.C. Gupta, MD · 2026-10-15
Hepatitis B and hepatitis C are viral infections that affect the liver. Both can be present for years without causing any symptoms, which is why screening tests matter: they can detect the infection long before it causes lasting damage to the liver.
Screening for hepatitis B
The first test for hepatitis B is usually HBsAg, the hepatitis B surface antigen. The HBsAg test detects a protein on the surface of the hepatitis B virus itself, so a positive result means the virus is present in the blood and the person can pass it on to others. A negative HBsAg result generally means there is no current infection. If HBsAg is positive, the doctor usually asks for further tests to see how active the infection is and whether it is recent or long-standing.
Screening for hepatitis C
Hepatitis C is screened with an antibody test, often written as anti-HCV or HCV antibody. This looks for antibodies the body makes against the hepatitis C virus. A positive antibody result shows the person has been exposed to the virus, but it does not by itself prove the infection is still active, because antibodies can remain for years after the virus has cleared. For that reason a positive antibody test is usually followed by a test that looks for the virus directly.
How the sample is taken and how to prepare
Both the hepatitis B and hepatitis C screening tests use a blood sample drawn from a vein in the arm. Fasting is not required. Your doctor will tell you when to expect the result, as the time depends on which test is done. If your doctor has also asked for liver function tests, such as bilirubin, SGOT and SGPT, the same sample can often be used.
Why screening matters
Because hepatitis B and C can be silent for many years, screening is how the infection is found before the liver is damaged. Screening is commonly advised before surgery, during pregnancy, for people who have had a blood transfusion or a needle-stick injury, and for anyone with unexplained abnormal liver tests. Early detection also means treatment can be started, and in hepatitis C the infection can now be cured in most people.
What a result does and does not mean
A single test is a starting point, not a diagnosis. A positive screening test is normally confirmed with a second, more specific test before any conclusion is drawn. A negative test can be repeated later if there has been a recent exposure, because antibodies take time to appear. Your doctor is the right person to interpret the results together with your history.
This article is for general information only and is not medical advice. Always discuss your results and any health concerns with your doctor.
