How will I be tested for hep C?
The only way to know if you have
hepatitis C is to get tested.
This involves two simple blood tests.
1. Finger prick test
The first test, also known as an "Antibody Test" will show if you have "hep C antibodies".
If this first test is positive, it means that you've been exposed to the hep C virus at sometime in your life. This could have been anytime in the past, from years ago to just a few months back.
A positive result at this stage means you need to follow up with the second test.
2. Blood test
To confirm if you have a current infection, a second blood test (referred to as a PCR Test) checks for the hepatitis C virus in your blood.
It's very important to have this second test if you test positive for hep C antibodies.
If this second blood test confirm a current infection, your healthcare professional will send you for another blood test or a simple and painless liver scan (also called a FibroScan®) which will give information about the health of your liver. Then, you and your healthcare professional can discuss the results and treatment options.
Getting diagnosed early can prevent liver and health problems that may be caused by the virus as well as keeping it from spreading to someone else by blood contact.
A positive hep C result?
With treatment, hep C can be cured*.
A new hep C infection does not always require treatment and some people can clear the infection within the first 6 months.
If the new infection persists beyond this point, it is considered chronic and requires treatment. A healthcare professional will be able to advise if treatment is required.
*Cure means that the hep C virus is not found in the blood 3 months after the end of treatment.
Hep C risk factors and symptoms
Are you at risk of hep C? It is estimated that thousands of people* in New Zealand are living with hepatitis C but have not yet been diagnosed.
*In 2023 it is estimated that approximately 30,000 Kiwis
are living with chronic hep C.
To help you assess whether you could be at risk, we have developed two tools to help you explore the possibilities further before getting tested:
Talking to your healthcare professional
Your healthcare professional is the best person to talk to if:
-
- you have any questions about hepatitis C
- you want to get tested
- you want to discuss treatment options
- you want to learn more about how to stay healthy.
Before your appointment
Here are some helpful questions that may help you organise your thoughts prior to your visit. Download and/or print the list to see which ones apply to you, so you can go into your healthcare professionals' visit prepared with the information they need to support you.
This checklist is not meant to diagnose people with hep C, nor does it replace the advice of your healthcare professional. Please talk to your healthcare professional if you have any questions about hep C.
TESTING SAVES LIVES
TESTING SAVES LIVES
The only way to know for sure if you have hep C, is to get tested.
You'll be taken to a 3rd party site.
TAPS BG5090. NZ-VHCV-200005. Prepared June 2025.