Hepatitis Guides
Hepatitis A, B, and C testing and immunity.
What these guides cover
Hepatitis guides cover hepatitis A, B, and C testing, including surface antigen and antibody tests and immunity checks. They explain the difference between an active infection marker and evidence of immunity or past exposure.
Hepatitis testing looks for either the virus itself or the immune response to it. Antigen tests, such as hepatitis B surface antigen, can indicate a current infection, while antibody tests show whether the immune system has responded to the virus or to vaccination. Hepatitis C testing usually starts with an antibody screen and may be followed by a viral RNA test. Reading the markers together helps a clinician tell current infection apart from past exposure or immunity.
How to use these guides
Each guide below focuses on a single test or a small group of related tests. Start with the marker you and your clinician have discussed, then follow the related-test links to see what is often ordered alongside it. Preparation and timing instructions appear in each guide, and where testing is available is listed by state and city. These guides are educational and do not replace advice from a healthcare provider.
Hepatitis B Blood Testing: Reading the Marker Panel
Learn how hepatitis B blood testing works, what surface antigen and antibody tests show, and how to order a hepatitis B panel at a lab near
Hepatitis C Testing Guide: Screening and Confirmation
Learn how hepatitis C testing works, the difference between antibody screening and RNA testing, and how to order a hepatitis C panel at a la
Hepatitis Immunity Testing: Hepatitis A, B, and Protection
Learn how hepatitis immunity testing works, what antibody titers show after vaccination, and how to order a hepatitis immunity panel at a la
Hepatitis FAQ
What is the difference between a hepatitis antigen and antibody test?
Antigen tests look for parts of the virus and can point to a current infection, while antibody tests show an immune response from past exposure or vaccination. The two are often read together.
Why is hepatitis C testing done in two steps?
An antibody screen is usually first, because it is broad and sensitive. If it is reactive, a viral RNA test can show whether the virus is currently present, which the antibody result alone cannot confirm.
Can a hepatitis test show immunity?
Some antibody tests, such as hepatitis B surface antibody, can show immunity from vaccination or past infection. A clinician interprets these markers alongside the other hepatitis results.
Reviewed by the LabDirectories Editorial Team
Our team researches and fact-checks all content to ensure accuracy. We update guides regularly to reflect current testing options, pricing, and laboratory accreditation standards.