CDC: Testing Recommendations for Hepatitis C Virus Infection

October 2015 (CDC – Viral Hepatitis – Hepatitis C Information)

CDC’s Testing Recommendations for hepatitis C virus infection. Testing should be initiated with anti-HCV. For those with reactive test results, the anti-HCV test should be followed with an HCV RNA.

  • Adults born from 1945 through 1965 should be tested once (without prior ascertainment of HCV risk factors)
  • HCV testing is recommended for those who:
    • Currently injecting drugs
    • Ever injected drugs, including those who injected once or a few times many years ago
    • Have certain medical conditions, including persons:
      • who received clotting factor concentrates produced before 1987
      • who were ever on long-term hemodialysis
      • with persistently abnormal alanine aminotransferase levels (ALT)
      • who have HIV infection
    • Were prior recipients of transfusions or organ transplants, including persons who:
      • were notified that they received blood from a donor who later tested positive for HCV infection
      • received a transfusion of blood, blood components, or an organ transplant before July 1992
  • HCV- testing based on a recognized exposure is recommended for:
    • Healthcare, emergency medical, and public safety workers after needle sticks, sharps, or mucosal exposures to HCV-positive blood
    • Children born to HCV-positive women

Read all the CDC Guidelines.