Lab test · Hepatology
Hepatitis E IgM Antibody (Anti-HEV IgM)
Hepatitis E (jaundice) infection
- Blood sample
- No fasting
- Report within 2 days
- Home collection
What this test is for
Hepatitis E (jaundice) infection
This blood test detects IgM antibodies to the hepatitis E virus, which point to a recent infection. Hepatitis E spreads mainly through contaminated drinking water and is a common cause of jaundice in Bangladesh, with outbreaks often following flooding or problems with the water supply. Most people recover on their own, but the infection can be serious in pregnancy.
Why a doctor may order it
- Jaundice, dark urine or pale stools, with or without fever
- Jaundice during pregnancy, when hepatitis E needs to be recognised early
- Several people in the same area or household becoming jaundiced
- To find the cause of raised liver enzymes alongside tests for other hepatitis viruses
How to prepare
Fasting: Not needed.
This test does not require fasting, so you can eat and drink as usual. Keep taking your regular medicines unless your doctor says otherwise. If you are pregnant, make sure your doctor knows, as this affects how closely you will be followed up.
At home
- Sample
- Blood sample
- How it works
- The collector comes to your home and draws a small amount of blood from a vein in your arm, which takes only a few minutes. If you feel weak or dizzy, you can stay seated or lying down while the sample is taken.
- Report
- Within 2 days of collection.
What the results can mean
A positive IgM result suggests a recent hepatitis E infection. A negative result makes it less likely, but your doctor may still look for other causes of jaundice, such as hepatitis A or B, gallstones or medicines. In most people the illness settles within a few weeks. Your doctor will interpret the result with your liver tests and decide how closely you need to be followed, particularly during pregnancy.
What's included
One test: Hepatitis E IgM Antibody (Anti-HEV IgM), from one blood sample.
Related tests
- Hepatitis A IgM Antibody (Anti-HAV IgM)Hepatitis A infection৳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.
- Bilirubin (Total, Direct and Indirect)Bilirubin is a yellow substance made when old red blood cells are broken down.
- SGPT (Alanine Aminotransferase, ALT)SGPT, also called ALT (alanine aminotransferase), is an enzyme found mainly inside liver cells.
- Anti-HBs (Hepatitis B Surface Antibody)Hepatitis B immunity (vaccine)৳550
- HBeAg (Hepatitis B e Antigen)Hepatitis B activity৳550
Questions people ask
Why is hepatitis E more serious in pregnancy?
Hepatitis E can cause severe liver problems in pregnant women, especially in the later months of pregnancy. A pregnant woman with jaundice should be seen by a doctor promptly.
How is hepatitis E spread?
It spreads mainly through drinking water contaminated with human stool. Boiled or safely treated water and good hand hygiene lower the risk.
What is the difference between hepatitis A and hepatitis E?
Both spread through contaminated food or water, cause similar jaundice and usually clear on their own. Hepatitis A is more common in children, while hepatitis E more often affects young adults and can be severe in pregnancy.
How much does a Hepatitis E IgM test cost in Dhaka?
With Mukti Health the price is ৳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 Hepatitis E IgM 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 Hepatitis E IgM report take?
The report is usually ready within 2 days of the sample being collected.