Quick Facts
- Sample: Blood (serum)
- Fasting: Not required
- Turn-around: 2-3 business days. May take longer based on weather, holiday, or lab delays.
Benefits
- Comprehensive immunity assessment - detects both IgM and IgG antibodies
- Accurate diagnosis - distinguishes between recent and past hepatitis A infections
- Peace of mind - confirms vaccination effectiveness or natural immunity
- Early detection - identifies acute infection before severe symptoms develop
- Travel safety - ensures protection before visiting high-risk areas
- No fasting required - convenient testing with simple blood draw
Who Is This Test For?
- Individuals experiencing symptoms of acute viral hepatitis
- People planning travel to hepatitis A endemic regions
- Healthcare workers and food service employees requiring immunity verification
- Anyone wanting to confirm hepatitis A vaccination effectiveness
- Individuals with known exposure to hepatitis A virus
- People with chronic liver conditions monitoring additional hepatitis risks
How It Works – Just 3 Steps
- Order online - select your test and schedule appointment at nearby lab
- Visit lab - provide blood sample via simple, quick draw procedure
- Get results - receive secure, confidential results within 2-3 business days
FAQ
What's the difference between IgM and IgG hepatitis A antibodies? IgM antibodies indicate recent or current infection, while IgG antibodies show past infection or immunity from vaccination.
How long does hepatitis A immunity last? Natural immunity from infection or vaccination typically provides lifelong protection against hepatitis A.
Can I get hepatitis A twice? No, once you've had hepatitis A or been vaccinated, you develop lifelong immunity.
How accurate is this test? The hepatitis A antibody test has over 95% accuracy for detecting both IgM and IgG antibodies.
What if my test shows no antibodies? Absence of antibodies means you're susceptible to hepatitis A and should consider vaccination.
More Details
What is the purpose of this test?
The Hepatitis A Antibody Blood Test, Total detects both IgM and IgG antibodies to help diagnose hepatitis A and assess immunity status. Hepatitis A is a viral infection causing liver inflammation that spreads through fecal-oral transmission, typically via contaminated food or water. This acute infection usually resolves without treatment within several weeks, but testing helps confirm diagnosis and immunity status (CDC 2024).
Who would benefit from this test?
Healthcare workers, food service employees, and travelers to endemic areas benefit from immunity verification. Individuals with potential exposure, those experiencing hepatitis symptoms, or people wanting to confirm vaccination effectiveness should consider testing. Anyone with chronic liver conditions may also benefit from knowing their hepatitis A status to prevent additional liver complications.
When should I order a Hepatitis A Antibody Blood Test, Total?
Order this test if you experience symptoms like abdominal pain, fatigue, fever, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, yellowed skin or eyes, dark urine, or clay-colored stools. Testing is also recommended before travel to high-risk areas, after potential exposure, or to verify vaccination immunity. Healthcare and food service workers may need periodic testing for occupational requirements.
How do I interpret the results?
IgM: Positive
- What it means: Recent or current infection
- Typical action: Medical evaluation, rest, monitoring
IgG: Positive
- What it means: Past infection or vaccination immunity
- Typical action: Protected, no action needed
Both IgM and IgG: Negative
- What it means: No immunity, susceptible to infection
- Typical action: Consider hepatitis A vaccination
Both IgM and IgG: Positive
- What it means: Recent infection with developing immunity
- Typical action: Medical consultation recommended
Most healthy adults develop lifelong immunity after hepatitis A infection or vaccination series.
Disclaimer: Reference ranges may vary by laboratory. Listed ranges are general guidelines and may differ from those used by the performing lab. Always consult your healthcare provider for interpretation.
Pre-test preparation
No special preparation is required for this test. You don't need to fast or avoid any foods or medications. Simply arrive at your scheduled appointment time for a routine blood draw. Inform your healthcare provider about any medications or supplements you're taking, though they typically don't affect test results.
How often should I get tested?
- Post-vaccination verification: Suggested interval: 4–8 weeks after final dose
- High-risk occupation: Suggested interval: As required by employer
- Travel to endemic areas: Suggested interval: Before each trip if unvaccinated
- Known exposure: Suggested interval: 2–7 weeks after exposure
- Routine screening: Suggested interval: Once if immunity is uncertain
Why early detection matters
Early detection of hepatitis A infection allows for proper medical monitoring and prevents transmission to others. While hepatitis A typically resolves on its own, early identification helps manage symptoms and prevents complications in high-risk individuals. Knowing your immunity status protects you and helps prevent outbreaks in communities, workplaces, and travel settings.
Related tests you may consider
Hepatitis Blood Test Panel, Acute - Helps detect and diagnose acute liver infection and inflammation that is due to one of the three most common hepatitis viruses: hepatitis A virus (HAV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), or hepatitis C virus (HCV).
Hepatic Function (Liver) Panel Blood Test- Assesses the overall health of the liver by measuring the different enzymes, proteins, and other substances made by the liver.
Immunity Plus Blood Test Panel - Detects antibodies to common infectious diseases, Hepatitis A & B, MMR, and Varicella, to help confirm immunity.
