Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C are among the most dangerous liver infections in the world — and the most deceptive. Most people carry these viruses for years, even decades, without experiencing a single symptom. By the time visible signs appear, significant liver damage has already occurred. If you have never been screened, visiting a pathology lab in Ahmedabad for a hepatitis test could genuinely save your life.

What Are Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C?

Both are viral infections that attack the liver, causing progressive inflammation and damage over time. They differ significantly in how they spread, how they are detected and how they are treated.

• Hepatitis B (HBV) — spreads through infected blood, unprotected sexual contact, and mother to child during childbirth

• Hepatitis C (HCV) — spreads primarily through blood contact: shared needles or unsterilised medical equipment

• Both can lead to cirrhosis (liver scarring), liver failure and liver cancer if left untreated

• India has an estimated 40 million Hepatitis B carriers — most of them completely unaware

Because both viruses silently damage the liver, a hepatitis test is always recommended alongside a liver function test (LFT) to assess how much the infection has already impacted your liver enzymes.

Symptoms — Why Most People Miss Them

This is what makes hepatitis truly dangerous: the absence of obvious warning signs. When symptoms do appear, they are often mistaken for general tiredness or a stomach issue. Watch for:

• Persistent fatigue and unexplained weakness lasting several weeks

• Dull ache or heaviness in the upper right abdomen where the liver is located

• Loss of appetite, nausea and abdominal discomfort after eating

• Jaundice — yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes (usually a late sign)

• Dark-coloured urine and pale or clay-coloured stools

Which Tests Are Used to Detect Hepatitis?

For Hepatitis B

• HBsAg (Hepatitis B Surface Antigen) — the primary screening test; detects active Hepatitis B infection

• Anti-HBs — checks for immunity from vaccination or past infection

• HBV DNA (PCR Test) — measures viral load and guides treatment decisions

For Hepatitis C

• Anti-HCV (Hepatitis C Antibody Test) — initial screening test to detect HCV exposure

• HCV RNA (PCR Test) — confirms active infection and quantifies viral load

• HCV Genotyping — identifies the strain, which determines the most effective treatment

No fasting is required for any of these tests. You can walk into a pathology lab near you at any time of day, or opt for our free home sample collection service covering all areas of Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar.

Who Should Get Tested — High-Risk Groups in Ahmedabad

• Anyone who has had a blood transfusion, surgery or dental procedure before 1992

• Healthcare workers with possible blood exposure

• People with a family history of liver disease or cirrhosis

• Pregnant women — Hepatitis B can be passed to the newborn during delivery

• People undergoing annual health checkups after 40 — hepatitis screening should be part of every preventive panel

• Those with kidney disease or on dialysis — both conditions significantly elevate risk

Early Detection Leads to Recovery

Hepatitis C is now completely curable with a short course of antiviral medication — provided it is detected in time. Hepatitis B, while not curable, can be effectively managed with treatment to prevent liver damage. The earlier the diagnosis, the better the outcome. Explore our health packages in Ahmedabad which include hepatitis screening as part of a comprehensive liver and infection panel at affordable rates.