Answer
Diagnosis involves two steps:
- Testing for anti-HCV antibodies with a blood test at a doctor’s office or point-of-care.
- If positive, a nucleic acid test confirms active HCV infection and determines the need for treatment. Around 30% of individuals clear the virus naturally, though they will still test positive for antibodies.
- Innovative new tests, such as HCV core antigen, are not yet in use but will enable a one-step diagnosis of active hepatitis C infection in the future.
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