Saturday, May 11, 2013

Hepatitis A Testing Los Angeles Is Safe

By Catherine L. Gilligan


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

HAV infection is spread through food or water that has been contaminated by the feces (stool) of an infected person. 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 vanish from the blood three to twelve months after the infection. IgG anti-HAV antibodies mean that you have had a hepatitis A viral infection. About eight to twelve weeks following the initial infection with hepatitis A virus, IgG anti-HAV antibodies show up and stay in the blood for lifelong protection (immunity) against HAV. Hepatitis A vaccine exists 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 potential blood donors and donor organs to prevent the spread of hepatitis A. Determine whether an individual has antibodies after getting a hepatitis A vaccine. If you had this vaccine and you now have antibodies to the hepatitis A virus (anti-HAV antibodies) in your blood, this means the vaccination was effective (you are immune to hepatitis A). Determine if a hepatitis A infection is the reason behind abnormal liver function tests.

Hepatitis virus testing is performed by the health professional taking a sample of your blood which will: Wrap an elastic band around your upper arm to stop 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 obtained. Place a gauze pad or cotton ball over the needle site as the needle is slowly removed. Put pressure on the site and then put on a bandage.

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




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