What causes Acute Hepatitis C?

Acute Hepatitis C is caused by the Hepatitis C virus (HCV), a blood-borne pathogen that infects liver cells. The virus spreads through contact with infected blood, most commonly through sharing needles, receiving contaminated blood transfusions before 1992, or during medical procedures with unsterilized equipment. Unlike Hepatitis A and B, there is no vaccine to prevent HCV infection, making blood exposure prevention critical.

What is the best test for Acute Hepatitis C?

The Hepatitis C Viral RNA Quantitative Real-Time PCR test is the most important test for Acute Hepatitis C because it directly detects and measures the amount of HCV RNA in your blood. This highly sensitive PCR test confirms active viral replication and can detect infection as early as 1-2 weeks after exposure, long before antibodies develop. The quantitative measurement also helps your healthcare provider assess infection severity and monitor treatment response. This test provides definitive diagnosis when antibody tests may still be negative during the acute phase.

When should I get tested for Acute Hepatitis C?

You should get tested if you have been exposed to blood through needle sharing, needlestick injuries, or unprotected contact with infected blood within the past six months. Testing is also recommended if you develop unexplained fatigue, nausea, abdominal pain, dark urine, or jaundice after potential exposure. Because most people with acute Hepatitis C have no symptoms, immediate testing after any known exposure is critical for early detection and treatment.

What are the symptoms of Acute Hepatitis C?

Most people with Acute Hepatitis C experience no symptoms at all, which is why the infection often goes undetected. When symptoms do appear, they typically develop 2-12 weeks after exposure and may include fatigue, fever, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dark urine, clay-colored stools, joint pain, and jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes). These symptoms are often mild and mistaken for the flu, making laboratory testing essential for accurate diagnosis.

Who is at risk for Acute Hepatitis C?

People at highest risk include those who inject drugs and share needles or equipment, healthcare workers who experience needlestick injuries, and individuals who received blood transfusions or organ transplants before 1992. Additional risk factors include being born to a mother with Hepatitis C, receiving hemodialysis, getting tattoos or piercings with unsterilized equipment, and having unprotected sex with multiple partners. People with HIV infection are also at increased risk for HCV co-infection.

What happens if Acute Hepatitis C is left untreated?

If left untreated, about 75-85% of people with Acute Hepatitis C will develop chronic Hepatitis C infection that persists for life. Chronic infection can lead to serious liver damage over 10-30 years, including cirrhosis (liver scarring), liver failure, and liver cancer. Early detection and treatment of acute infection can prevent progression to chronic disease in many cases. Untreated chronic Hepatitis C is a leading cause of liver transplantation in the United States.

Can Acute Hepatitis C be diagnosed with a blood test?

Yes, Acute Hepatitis C is definitively diagnosed with blood tests, specifically the Hepatitis C Viral RNA Quantitative Real-Time PCR test. This test detects the actual virus in your blood and confirms active infection. While antibody tests can detect exposure to HCV, they may not turn positive until 8-12 weeks after infection, making them less useful during the acute phase. The RNA test can detect infection as early as 1-2 weeks after exposure, making it the gold standard for acute diagnosis.

How is Acute Hepatitis C treated?

Acute Hepatitis C is treated with direct-acting antiviral medications that target specific steps in the HCV lifecycle. Modern treatment regimens typically involve taking oral medications for 8-12 weeks and cure more than 95% of infections with minimal side effects. Early treatment during the acute phase may lead to higher cure rates and shorter treatment duration compared to chronic infection. Your healthcare provider will determine the best medication regimen based on your viral genotype, liver function, and medical history.

How can I prevent Acute Hepatitis C?

You can prevent Acute Hepatitis C by avoiding contact with infected blood. Never share needles, syringes, or drug preparation equipment. Ensure that tattoos and piercings are done with sterile, single-use equipment at licensed facilities. Healthcare workers should follow standard precautions and use safety-engineered needles to prevent needlestick injuries. Practice safe sex by using condoms, especially if you have multiple partners or HIV infection. If you are pregnant and have Hepatitis C, discuss prevention of mother-to-child transmission with your healthcare provider.

What can I do at home for Acute Hepatitis C?

While at home with Acute Hepatitis C, get plenty of rest and stay well-hydrated to help your body fight the infection. Eat small, frequent meals if you experience nausea, and avoid alcohol completely as it accelerates liver damage. Do not take acetaminophen or other medications that can stress the liver without consulting your healthcare provider. Prevent transmission to others by not sharing personal items that may have blood on them, such as razors, toothbrushes, or nail clippers, and cover any cuts or wounds until they heal.

Getting your blood test with us is easy, private & backed by the power of science.Long story short: In the test options, use the filters or search box to narrow your choices and find the test you want. If you need a hand navigating through options, text our super friendly support team at 754-799-7833, and we'll provide tailored suggestions to help you find the ideal test. Once your order is placed, we’ll create your doctor’s lab order remotely, without any need for you to make a trip to a doctor in person or to talk to the doctor. Expect to receive your doctor’s lab order right in your inbox. It will also be in your patient portal if you need to find it later. We’ll also include instructions regarding fasting and other requirements for your test. Your patient portal will be auto-created hassle-free during checkout. If this is your first time ordering, you'll be prompted to create a password for instant login access to your patient portal. It's a quick way to conveniently access your orders and results whenever you want. When you’re ready, visit one of our 4,000 locations. Just bring your ID – no printing or faxing of your lab order is needed, as your order and details will already be in the lab system. Note that most lab locations don’t accept walk-ins, so it’s best to book an appointment in advance. Don’t worry – we’ll provide detailed instructions along the way. You’ll get your results via email & SMS and dive into understanding your body better. Yup, that easy! If you have any questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com and we'll gladly help you.

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Is it possible to make changes to my lab order if I made a mistake with the name, date of birth, or any other details?

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Only HSA & FSA is accepted. Our services are strictly self-pay and cannot be submitted to your health insurance provider except for Health Savings Accounts or Flexible Savings Accounts. This policy applies to all insurance companies, including federal health insurance programs like Medicare. If you have any questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com.

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Yes. We get it – sometimes your needs change. As long as your samples haven’t been collected yet, we’re happy to help you cancel your order. If you have any further questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com. You can read more about our cancellation policy here.

How can I find a lab location near me?

During the ordering process, you’ll be able to select a specific lab near you, with no strings attached! You can switch it up later easily and visit any of our authorized locations as long as it’s the same lab company you selected your test for (Quest Diagnostics or Labcorp). Before you proceed with your order, feel free to browse through all our lab locations here. This will give you the peace of mind of knowing that there's a lab nearby your home, office or your favorite gym. If you have any questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com and we'll gladly help you.

Acute Hepatitis C Blood Test

What is Acute Hepatitis C?

Acute Hepatitis C is a viral liver infection that occurs within the first six months of exposure to the Hepatitis C virus (HCV). It is caused by the Hepatitis C virus, a blood-borne pathogen that attacks liver cells and often produces no symptoms during the acute phase. The Hepatitis C Viral RNA Quantitative Real-Time PCR test is the most important test for diagnosis because it directly detects active viral replication in the blood.

Written by Private MD Labs Medical Team

Last updated: December 30, 2025

Getting your blood test with us is easy, private & backed by the power of science.

Long story short:

In the test options, use the filters or search box to narrow your choices and find the test you want.
If you need a hand navigating through options, text our super friendly support team at 754-799-7833, and we'll provide tailored suggestions to help you find the ideal test.
Once your order is placed, we’ll create your doctor’s lab order remotely, without any need for you to make a trip to a doctor in person or to talk to the doctor. Expect to receive your doctor’s lab order right in your inbox. It will also be in your patient portal if you need to find it later. We’ll also include instructions regarding fasting and other requirements for your test. Your patient portal will be auto-created hassle-free during checkout.
If this is your first time ordering, you'll be prompted to create a password for instant login access to your patient portal. It's a quick way to conveniently access your orders and results whenever you want.
When you’re ready, visit one of our 4,000 locations. Just bring your ID – no printing or faxing of your lab order is needed, as your order and details will already be in the lab system.
Note that most lab locations don’t accept walk-ins, so it’s best to book an appointment in advance. Don’t worry – we’ll provide detailed instructions along the way.
You’ll get your results via email & SMS and dive into understanding your body better. Yup, that easy!

754-799-7833

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