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Hepatitis is the general word for inflammation of the liver. Inflammation of
the liver can have different causes, such as virus infections, alcohol abuse
and illness of the metabolism. The hepatitis C (HCV) virus is discovered in
1989. Chronic inflammation of the liver is mostly caused by hepatitis C.
Probably 2% of the world population is infected with the hepatitis C virus.
Up to 85% of those infected with HCV become chronic carriers. This can lead to developing cirrhosis (scarring), liver failure and cancer of the liver.
Chronic hepatitis C is often without symptoms or causes only vague symptoms as fatigue and feeling of being unwell. However, chronic
hepatitis C is often silent and is discovered by chance with blood testing.
It can take 20 years or more for symptoms to manifest in people who get chronic liver disease.
HCV is transmitted primarily through infected blood. It may also be transmitted through sexual contact and vertically from infected mothers to
their newborns.
No vaccine is available for HCV. In recent years, promising treatment options for hepatitis C emerged, therefore the chances for recovery have
considerably improved.
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(information)
The MiraTes hepatitis C test detects the presence of antibodies of the
hepatitis C virus in the blood specimen. A negative result indicates the absence of hepatitis C. In case of a chronic infection a contamination with
hepatitis C may be excluded with a negative testresult.
With an acute infection it can take 5 to 12 weeks before antibodies are produced and the
virus can be detected.
Hepatitis C can be transmitted if the natural barrier of the human body, skin
and/or mucous membrane is damaged. With more than one third of the patients it is not possible to say how they got infected. Possible factors are
tattooing, common use of razorblades or toothbrushes, contact with contaminated blood by injured skin or mucous membrane and operations.
People from the Mediterranean, the former East block countries, the
Guyana's (Surinam), Africa and Asia become relatively more infected with hepatitis C.
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how
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Hepatitis C is the principle cause of liver disease. At least 2 % of the worlds
population is likely to be infected, with some countries up to 20 %. A hepatitis C infection is often without symptoms. Although an infection does not cause symptoms for many years, it will lead to a chronic liver disease in about 80 % of the cases. It can take 10 to 20 years to develop chronic hepatitis C after becoming infected. In recent years, promising treatment options for hepatitis C have emerged. However, chronic hepatitis C is often silent and is discovered only by routine testing.
If you suspect you have been at risk, or belong to high risk groups, it is wise to test for hepatitis C.
High risk groups for hepatitis C infections are:
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intravenous drug users
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chronic hemodialysis patients
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health care workers who get in touch with blood
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persons with multiple sex partners
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recipients of blood transfusions before 1992
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infants born to infected mothers
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people with ear and body piercing and tattooing
We refer to the instruction sheet
(see also buttonbar left) that is included in your testkit to conduct the 6 simple steps.
A positive result shows a red line next to the T and a red control line next
to the C in the result window. The intensity of the testline will vary depending on the concentration of Hepatitis C antibodies in the specimen.
Therefore, any shade of red line adjacent to the T should be considered as
a positive result.
Do not interpret a reactive (positive) result from the MiraTes Hepatitis
C HomeTest
as absolute evidence of infection with Hepatitis C. All repeatedly positive or
inconclusive results must be confirmed by other suitable methods.
In case of a positive or inconclusive test result we advise you to contact a
doctor to have the test result confirmed.
If necessary change your lifestyle and habits to exclude the possibility of
infecting other people, until you are certain you are not infected with Hepatitis C.
A negative result shows only a red control line next to the C in the result
window. A red line adjacent to the T will not appear.
A non-reactive (negative) result indicates the absence of detectable
antibodies to Hepatitis C in the specimen. The MiraTes Hepatitis C Hometest has proven to be very accurate and has shown an agreement
with the standard laboratory tests of over 99%. False positive test results
do occur, and may be relatively more frequent in low risk population testing. A negative test result does not totally exclude the possibility of
exposure to, or infection with HCV.
Click here for order information and
how
to order
We will send you the home tests by priority mail in a neutral discrete
envelope (fitting in standard letter-boxes) to ensure your privacy.
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