What Does a Positive Hepatitis C Antibody Mean? Is It Contagious?

Hepatitis C is a common viral hepatitis with significant harm and strong infectivity. The main transmission routes are sexual transmission, iatrogenic transmission, and mother-to-child transmission. A positive hepatitis C antibody test does not necessarily indicate infectivity and requires further examination. Let's briefly understand what a positive virus antibody means and whether it is contagious.

1. What does a positive hepatitis C antibody mean? Is it contagious?

Hepatitis C is a common infectious liver disease. We often find positive hepatitis C antibodies in some tests, but a positive hepatitis C antibody does not represent infectivity. It is only a preliminary screening indicator, and further quantitative testing of hepatitis C virus is required. If the hepatitis C virus is positive, it indicates current infection and is contagious. The level of hepatitis C virus quantification is related to the strength of infectivity, meaning that the higher the virus load, the stronger the infectivity. A positive hepatitis C virus quantification is also an indication for antiviral treatment.

2. Three Major Transmission Routes of Hepatitis C to Know

Firstly, sexual transmission is the main route of hepatitis C infection. Therefore, those with a history of sexual promiscuity should undergo regular testing. If a sexual partner is infected with hepatitis C, proper use of a condom during sexual activity is essential. Correct sexual guidance and education should also be provided to adolescents.

Secondly, medical equipment transmission is another route. Currently, medical institutions strongly promote the use of disposable syringes. After using disposable syringes and interventional examination and treatment equipment, they must be destroyed promptly. For non-disposable interventional examination and treatment equipment, laparoscopes should be thoroughly cleaned and strictly disinfected. People who inject drugs intravenously should use safe and clean syringes and actively seek treatment to quit drug use as soon as possible.

Thirdly, mother-to-child transmission is one of the main causes of hepatitis C. To prevent hepatitis C, women of reproductive age should undergo timely physical examinations. In principle, effective antiviral treatment should be adopted for hepatitis C virus infection. Therefore, pregnant women with hepatitis C and a positive hepatitis C virus test should avoid amniocentesis, shorten the duration of childbirth, and ensure the integrity of the placenta to reduce the chance of neonatal exposure to the mother's blood and thus lower the incidence of hepatitis C.