HCV RNA PCR Test | Hepatitis C RNA Qualitative Testing | HCV RNA By Real Time Qualitative PCR |

The HCV RNA PCR test is used to determine whether the HCV exists in your bloodstream.

How it works

The HCV RNA PCR test is conducted through a process called PCR

There are two approaches to this process: qualitative and quantitative.

This video deals with qualitative approach

Quantitative approach is duscussed in separate video

This test is often used to make an HCV diagnosis.

It confirms whether you have the virus in your body, but it doesn’t reveal how much of the virus is present.

Explanation of test results:

If a qualitative RNA test is positive, then it is confirmed that the patient has chronic hepatitis C.

The "qualitative" test is more accurate than the "quantitative" test because qualitative tests are able to detect very low levels of the virus

Other things to know:

If a patient has a quantitative test that shows no detectable virus, but has a positive result with the qualitative test, it means there is a very low level of virus that can be detected only with the qualitative test.
The qualitative test will become negative during hepatitis C treatment and indicates a good response

A negative qualitative test 10-12 weeks after finishing hepatitis C treatment means you are cured

Видео HCV RNA PCR Test | Hepatitis C RNA Qualitative Testing | HCV RNA By Real Time Qualitative PCR | канала BMH learning