Hepatitis A blood test in Chiswick

What the test measures

Hepatitis A is a virus that infects the liver. It spreads mainly through food or water contaminated with traces of infected stool, or through close contact, including some sexual contact. Many adults have a short illness with tiredness, nausea, abdominal pain, dark urine and yellowing of the skin or eyes, while children often have no symptoms.

IgM antibodies are the first antibodies the immune system makes against hepatitis A. They usually appear around the time symptoms start and then fade over the following months, so a positive IgM points to a current or recent infection. This test does not measure IgG, the longer-lasting antibody that shows past infection or vaccination, so it is not a test of immunity.

Your price includes the sample taken at our Chiswick clinic, analysis at the Randox accredited laboratory, a practitioner review of your result and a GP feedback report on request. Your test is confidential and handled in a non-judgemental way.

Who it is for

• You have symptoms such as jaundice, dark urine or nausea and want to check for hepatitis A.
• You have recently been in contact with someone diagnosed with hepatitis A.
• You have recently travelled to an area where hepatitis A is common and feel unwell.
• Your liver function test showed raised enzymes and you want to look for a cause.
• You are concerned about exposure through food or sexual contact.

Understanding your result

A negative IgM result means there is no sign of a current or recent hepatitis A infection. Antibodies may not yet be detectable very early, so if you were exposed in the last two to four weeks and have no symptoms, a repeat test may be advised. A positive result suggests current or recent infection.

Hepatitis A usually clears without long-term liver damage, but it is a notifiable infection, so your practitioner will advise speaking to your GP, who can arrange liver tests and offer advice to close contacts. A result is a prompt for discussion, not a diagnosis on its own.

Preparing for your test

No fasting or special preparation is needed. Let us know when you think you may have been exposed and when any symptoms began, as this helps with timing, since IgM is usually detectable from the onset of symptoms. If you are very unwell, confused, or your skin is turning yellow quickly, please seek urgent medical advice through 111 or your GP.

Raised liver enzymes are often the first clue, and our liver function tests show how the liver is coping. For other infections, see our STI and hepatitis tests, or browse every blood test and price in Chiswick.

Questions

How much is a hepatitis A test in Chiswick?

The Hepatitis A (recent infection) test costs £49. It includes your blood sample at our Chiswick clinic, analysis at the Randox accredited laboratory, a practitioner review and a GP feedback report on request.

Will this show if I am immune to hepatitis A?

No. This test measures IgM, which shows current or recent infection. Immunity from vaccination or past infection is shown by IgG or total antibodies, which this test does not include.

How soon after exposure can I test?

IgM usually becomes detectable around the time symptoms begin, often two to four weeks after exposure. Testing too early may give a negative result.

Is hepatitis A serious?

Most people recover fully within weeks to a few months, but it can be more serious in older adults and people with existing liver disease. Your GP can advise.