Lab test · Molecular
Hepatitis C Viral Load (HCV RNA)
Hepatitis C virus amount
- Blood sample
- No fasting
- Report within 5 days
- Home collection
What this test is for
Hepatitis C virus amount
This test looks for the genetic material (RNA) of the hepatitis C virus in your blood and measures how much is there. An antibody test (anti-HCV) only shows that you have met the virus at some point, and some people clear it naturally. HCV RNA shows whether the virus is still active now, which is what your doctor needs to know before and after treatment.
Why a doctor may order it
- To confirm an active infection after a positive anti-HCV antibody test
- Before starting hepatitis C treatment
- After treatment, to check that the virus has been cleared
- When a recent infection is suspected and antibodies may not have formed yet
How to prepare
Fasting: Not needed.
You do not need to fast, and you can eat and drink as usual. Keep taking your regular medicines, and do not stop or change any hepatitis C treatment without talking to your doctor. Tell your doctor if you have been treated for hepatitis C before.
At home
- Sample
- Blood sample
- How it works
- At your home, the collector cleans the skin on your arm and draws a small blood sample from a vein. It takes a few minutes, and the sealed tube is sent to the laboratory for molecular testing.
- Report
- Within 5 days of collection.
What the results can mean
A detected result means the hepatitis C virus is present in the blood, and the report may give the amount. A not-detected result means no virus was found at the level the test can measure; after treatment, this usually means the infection has been cured. Your doctor will explain what your result means and whether any further tests are needed.
What's included
One test: Hepatitis C Viral Load (HCV RNA), from one blood sample.
Related tests
- Hepatitis C Antibody (Anti-HCV)Hepatitis C screening৳450
- Liver Function Test (LFT)A liver function test is a group of blood tests that show how well your liver is working and whether it is inflamed or damaged.
- SGPT (Alanine Aminotransferase, ALT)SGPT, also called ALT (alanine aminotransferase), is an enzyme found mainly inside liver cells.
- Hepatitis B Viral Load (HBV DNA)Hepatitis B virus amount৳5,900
- HIV 1 and 2 Antibody TestThis blood test screens for antibodies to HIV-1 and HIV-2, the two types of human immunodeficiency virus.
- Anti-HBs (Hepatitis B Surface Antibody)Hepatitis B immunity (vaccine)৳550
Questions people ask
Why do I need HCV RNA if my anti-HCV test was positive?
A positive antibody test shows past contact with the virus but cannot tell whether it is still there. Some people clear hepatitis C on their own, so HCV RNA is needed to confirm an active infection.
Can hepatitis C be cured?
Yes. Modern hepatitis C tablets cure most people who complete treatment. HCV RNA is checked after treatment to confirm that the virus has gone.
Can I get hepatitis C again after being cured?
Yes. Being cured does not give protection, so a new infection is possible if you are exposed again. The antibody test usually stays positive after cure, so an RNA test is used to check for reinfection.
How much does a HCV RNA test cost in Dhaka?
With Mukti Health the price is ৳5,550, and the sample is collected at your home in Dhaka. You see the price again before you confirm the booking in the Mukti Health app.
Can I do the HCV RNA test at home in Dhaka?
Yes. Book it in the Mukti Health app and a trained sample collector comes to your home in Dhaka to take the blood sample. You do not need to go to a laboratory.
How long does the HCV RNA report take?
The report is usually ready within 5 days of the sample being collected.