Hepatitis B and C testing (Hepatitis B and hepatitis C blood testing)
A blood test to check for hepatitis B and hepatitis C, two viruses that affect the liver and often cause no symptoms for years.
✓ Medically reviewed by a GMC-registered consultant · last reviewed September 2026 · next review September 2027 · how we review
In short
- Hepatitis B and C often cause no symptoms for years, so a blood test is the only reliable way to know.
- A positive screening test needs a second, confirmatory test to show whether the infection is still active.
- A test taken too soon after exposure can be falsely negative, so timing matters and a repeat test may be advised.
- Testing is free and confidential on the NHS, and free home hepatitis C kits are available, so you do not have to pay.
A plain-English summary. The detail — including risks and recovery — is below.
At a glance
A general guide. Your specialist will give you advice for your situation.
Finds infections that often have no symptoms, so liver damage can be prevented or limited
A single antibody test is not enough to confirm active hepatitis C; a confirmatory virus test is needed.
A blood test or finger-prick takes only a few minutes. You can carry on with your day straight away.
A clear result process with a confirmatory test arranged if a screen is positive.
A blood test or finger-prick takes only a few minutes. You can carry on with your day straight away.
Results usually come back within a few days to two weeks, often by text or secure message. Hepatitis C home kit...
You are offered a confirmatory blood test, because a positive antibody screen does not always mean current...
If active infection is confirmed, you are referred to a liver or infection specialist to discuss monitoring...
What is hepatitis B and C testing?
Hepatitis B and hepatitis C are infections caused by two different viruses that affect the liver. They can be passed on through blood (for example, sharing needles) and, particularly for hepatitis B, through sex and from a pregnant person to their baby.
Both infections often cause no symptoms for many years, even while quietly affecting the liver. A blood test is the only reliable way to know whether you have been infected. The test usually checks for both viruses at once.
This guide is about the test itself. A first screening test shows whether your body has been exposed to a virus; if it is positive, a further test is needed to confirm whether the infection is still active and to plan care. The result tells you about infection now or in the past; it cannot say exactly when or how you were infected.
NHS sexual health (genitourinary medicine, or GUM) clinics and other NHS services offer this free and confidentially, and free home hepatitis C kits are available. You do not need to pay or get a GP referral.
Types, options & approaches
There may be different ways to do this. The right approach depends on the clinical question and your circumstances.
Hepatitis B vs hepatitis C (in brief)
| Point | Hepatitis B | Hepatitis C |
|---|---|---|
| Vaccine | Yes | No |
| Sexual spread | More likely | Less likely |
| Often symptomless | Yes | Yes |
| Treatment if active | Monitor, sometimes treat | Tablets that cure most |
Both viruses affect the liver but behave differently. This table is a simple overview, not a substitute for advice; a clinician interprets your results and explains what they mean for you.
Preparing for your test
- Think about timing: a test very soon after exposure can be falsely negative, so ask the service when to test.
- You do not usually need to fast for these blood tests.
- Note any possible exposures (such as sharing needles, tattoos or piercings abroad, or sexual contacts) if you can.
- Tell the service if you have had a hepatitis B vaccination, as this affects how results are read.
- If using a home kit, read the instructions and follow them carefully for an accurate finger-prick sample.
- Tell the service if you are pregnant or might be, as hepatitis B in pregnancy needs specific care.
- You do not need ID or proof of address at a sexual health clinic, and testing is confidential.
What happens
At a clinic, a clinician will ask a few confidential questions about possible exposures to decide which tests to offer. A blood sample is usually taken from your arm and sent to a laboratory. Some services can do a quick finger-prick screening test.
If you use a home kit, you prick your finger, collect a small blood sample, and post it back. You then receive your result by text, phone or secure message.
If a screening test is positive, you will be contacted and offered a confirmatory blood test, because a single positive screen does not always mean active infection. You will then be referred for specialist assessment if needed, to discuss monitoring or treatment.
Is this test right for me?
A good consultation should explore whether it's the right choice for you now — including reasons to wait or consider something else.
May not be suitable if…
- A single antibody test is not enough to confirm active hepatitis C; a confirmatory virus test is needed.
- Testing very soon after exposure is the wrong timing, as it can miss recent infection.
- A test alone does not replace specialist assessment if infection is confirmed and the liver needs evaluating.
- A home kit may not suit you if you have symptoms of liver problems that need prompt clinical assessment.
Delay or rearrange if…
- It is very soon after the exposure you are worried about; ask about the right time to test.
- You have jaundice, severe tummy pain or feel very unwell, which needs urgent medical assessment rather than a routine test.
- You are pregnant and need coordinated care, as a hepatitis B result affects steps to protect the baby.
- You cannot follow up a positive screen with the confirmatory test that interprets it.
Alternatives to discuss
- A full sexual health and blood-borne virus screen covering several infections at once.
- Free NHS testing at a sexual health clinic or by home kit rather than a private provider.
- Hepatitis B vaccination if you are at risk and not yet protected.
- Waiting and retesting at the right time if you have tested very early after exposure.
Before you decide
Use this as a shared-decision checklist. The aim is not just “can this be done?”, but whether it is right for you, now, with the risks and alternatives clearly understood.
What matters most to me?
Think about symptoms, daily life, work, caring responsibilities, sport, fertility, travel, appearance and anxiety — the right choice depends on your priorities, not just the medical facts.
What are all my options?
Ask about waiting, monitoring, medicines, rehabilitation, a smaller or larger procedure, a different test, NHS referral, or a second opinion where that would help.
What would make me pause?
Active infection, pregnancy, unstable medical problems, smoking, medicines that increase bleeding, poor support at home, or feeling pressured are all reasons to slow down and get tailored advice.
What happens if I do nothing today?
For some problems, waiting is safe; for others, delay can make treatment harder. A good consultation should explain the trade-off in plain English.
Benefits
- Finds infections that often have no symptoms, so liver damage can be prevented or limited
- Allows early treatment, which cures most hepatitis C and controls hepatitis B
- Shows whether you are protected against hepatitis B by vaccination
- Lets you take steps to protect partners, family and others
- In pregnancy, allows steps to protect the baby from hepatitis B
- Free and confidential on the NHS, with home testing options for hepatitis C
Risks & complications
- Brief discomfort or bruising from the blood test or finger-prick
- A test taken too early can be falsely negative, so an infection may be missed
- Worry while waiting for results
- A positive antibody test that needs a further test before it is clear what it means
- Needing a repeat or confirmatory test, which can be unsettling
- A past, cleared infection showing on the test, which needs explaining
- An inadequate home-kit sample that has to be repeated
- A false positive screening result that is not confirmed on further testing
- Learning of an infection that has implications for insurance or relationships, which the service can help you think through
The main pitfalls are timing and interpretation. A test soon after exposure can miss infection, so a repeat may be advised. A positive hepatitis C antibody test only shows past exposure and needs a confirmatory test to show whether the virus is still present. Ask the service what each result means and what the next step would be.
Published figures to discuss
Hepatitis B and C blood tests are accurate when taken at the right time, but very recent infection can be missed, and a positive hepatitis C antibody result needs a confirmatory virus test before it is meaningful. Screening tests can occasionally be falsely positive, which is why a second test is used. Exact false-positive and false-negative rates vary by test and population, so the service interprets results in context rather than relying on one number.
| Figure | Reported range | How to interpret it | Source / confidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Recent infection missed by early testing | Window-period dependent | A negative result soon after exposure may need repeating because hepatitis markers take time to become detectable. | NHS — Hepatitis Cnhs.ukSource-linked context |
| Positive hepatitis C antibody does not prove current infection | Confirmatory RNA test required | Antibody can reflect past cleared infection; an RNA or antigen test is needed to show current hepatitis C. | NHS — Hepatitis Cnhs.ukSource-linked context |
| Chronic infection complications if not linked to care | Long-term risk | Untreated chronic hepatitis B or C can lead to cirrhosis and liver cancer, so positive tests need specialist follow-up. | NHS — Hepatitis Cnhs.ukSource-linked context |
| Household or sexual transmission not addressed | Preventable | Hepatitis B contacts may need testing and vaccination; hepatitis C contacts may need targeted testing depending on exposure. | Guide sourcesClinical context |
These are literature figures, not a personalised prediction. Your own risks and likely benefits depend on your circumstances, your health, and how your care is carried out and followed up.
What happens afterwards
There is no physical recovery from a blood test. Afterwards, the main thing is waiting for your result and understanding what it means, including whether a confirmatory test or specialist referral is needed.
- No physical after-effects from the blood test or finger-prick
- A small bruise at the needle or finger-prick site
- Feeling anxious while waiting for results, which is normal
- Being asked for a second (confirmatory) test if the screen is positive
- No immediate change to how you feel, as these infections are often silent
Aftercare
- Attend any confirmatory test if your screening result is positive.
- Follow up on a specialist referral if active infection is confirmed.
- If you are not immune to hepatitis B, ask about vaccination to protect yourself.
- Avoid sharing needles, razors or toothbrushes, which can carry blood.
- Use condoms to reduce sexual spread, particularly of hepatitis B.
- If you are pregnant and test positive for hepatitis B, follow the advice to protect your baby.
- Consider a repeat test if your exposure was recent.
- Ask the service for support if a positive result raises worries about partners or family.
- Knowing how and when you will get your result
- A note of any possible exposures to mention
- Hepatitis B vaccination history if known
- A plan to attend a confirmatory test if needed
- The service's contact number saved for questions
- Awareness that a positive antibody test needs a further test to interpret
- A reminder to repeat the test later if exposure was recent
⚠ Get urgent help if…
- Yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes (jaundice)
- Very dark urine or pale stools
- Pain or swelling in the upper right side of the tummy
- Unexplained tiredness, loss of appetite or weight loss
- Feeling sick or being sick that does not settle
- In pregnancy, a positive hepatitis B result, which needs prompt advice to protect the baby
Who to contact: your clinician, clinic or test provider first (keep their number to hand). For urgent advice when you can't reach them, call NHS 111. In an emergency, call 999.
General guidance — it doesn't replace the specific advice your specialist gives you.
Results & realistic expectations
A negative result usually means no infection was found, although a test taken very soon after exposure can be falsely negative. For hepatitis C, a positive antibody result means you have been exposed at some point, but a confirmatory test is needed to show whether the virus is still present, as some people clear it naturally.
For hepatitis B, the result can show current infection, past (cleared) infection, or immunity from vaccination, so the clinician interprets the pattern rather than a single value. A result describes infection now or in the past; it cannot say exactly when or how you were infected.
A clear result reflects the time of the test only, and does not protect you from future infection. If you have ongoing risks, repeat testing is sensible. Hepatitis B immunity from vaccination usually lasts for many years, and a blood test can check your level if needed. After a recent possible exposure, a repeat test may be advised because it can take some months for infection to show reliably.
Related tests, treatments or support
Hepatitis B and C testing is often done alongside HIV and other sexually transmitted infection tests as part of a full check, because they can share similar risks. Hepatitis B vaccination may be offered at the same time if you are not already protected.
Follow-up & long-term care
If your screening test is negative, you usually need no follow-up unless you have ongoing risk or tested soon after exposure. If a screen is positive, the service arranges a confirmatory test and, where infection is confirmed, refers you to a liver or infection specialist for monitoring or treatment. Vaccination against hepatitis B can be arranged if you are not immune.
- Repeat testing if you have ongoing exposure to blood or sexual risk.
- Hepatitis B vaccination if you are not already protected.
- Avoiding sharing needles, razors or toothbrushes.
- Following specialist advice on monitoring if you have confirmed hepatitis B.
Repeat, follow-on and what comes next
- A positive hepatitis C antibody screen needs a confirmatory PCR test to show whether the virus is still present.
- A repeat test is advised if the first was taken too soon after exposure.
- Confirmed infection leads to specialist referral for monitoring (hepatitis B) or treatment (hepatitis C), not just a repeat of the screening test.
Ask what happens if the result is unclear or needs repeating, and what is included if further tests or follow-up are needed.
What good aftercare looks like
- A clear result process with a confirmatory test arranged if a screen is positive.
- Referral to a liver or infection specialist if active infection is confirmed.
- Advice on hepatitis B vaccination if you are not immune, and on reducing blood and sexual risk.
- A named contact and support if a positive result raises worries about partners, family or insurance.
What affects the cost
Costs vary a great deal between people and providers, and we don't publish prices. What matters is understanding what drives the cost and making sure your quote is complete. The main things that affect it:
- Whether you use the free NHS service or pay for private testing
- Whether both viruses, or also HIV and other infections, are tested
- Whether the test is a clinic blood test or a postal finger-prick kit
- Whether a confirmatory test is included if a screen is positive
- How quickly results are provided
- Whether a follow-up consultation or referral is included
- The cost of the test and which viruses it covers
- Whether a confirmatory test is included if a screen is positive
- How and when you will get your result
- Whether a follow-up consultation or specialist referral is included
- Whether hepatitis B vaccination can be arranged if you are not immune
- What happens, and what it costs, if the sample is inadequate and must be repeated
On the NHS? Hepatitis B and C testing is free and confidential on the NHS at sexual health (GUM) clinics and other services, with free home hepatitis C kits available; private testing is an option for convenience but is not more accurate.
You're entitled to your total cost in writing — including reports, follow-up and what happens if the result is inconclusive — before you decide.
Consent traps and marketing red flags
These are not small details. They are often where patients lose choice, time to reflect, or realistic expectations.
Consent traps
- Not explaining that a positive hepatitis C antibody test only shows past exposure until confirmed.
- No explanation that a too-early test can be falsely negative.
- Not saying who will see the result or how it may affect insurance.
- A confirmatory test or follow-up not being included in a private package.
Marketing red flags
- Selling a single antibody test as proof of being clear of hepatitis C without a confirmatory test.
- Charging for testing without explaining that the NHS offers it free, including free hepatitis C home kits.
- Ignoring window periods, so a too-early test gives false reassurance.
- Not offering hepatitis B vaccination advice to people who are at risk and not immune.
Choosing a specialist safely
- Check the specialist is on the GMC Specialist Register for this area.
- Make sure they work at a CQC-registered service, and look for membership of the relevant Royal College or professional body.
- You're entitled to time to consider and to have your questions answered before you agree — the specialist who looks after you should explain it, not a salesperson.
- Be wary of pressure: time-limited offers or deposits taken before you've had time to think are red flags, not bargains.
- You're entitled to your total cost in writing — including any follow-up — before you decide.
Questions to ask your medical professional
Take this to your consultation. A good specialist will welcome every one of these.
- When is the best time to test after the exposure I am worried about?
- If my screening test is positive, what is the next (confirmatory) test?
- Am I immune to hepatitis B, or should I be vaccinated?
- What would a positive result mean for treatment or monitoring?
- Should I be tested for HIV and other infections at the same time?
- How will my result be given to me, and who will see it?
- Are you on the GMC Specialist Register for this area, and which Royal College or professional body are you a member of?
- Will you be the specialist who carries out my test, and who looks after me afterwards?
- What are the risks for someone like me, and how often do your own patients have a problem or need it repeated or redone?
- What does a realistic result look like — and what can this test not achieve?
- What are my options, including waiting, doing nothing for now, or choosing a different approach?
- Can I have written information, results and aftercare instructions in a format I can use, including any accessibility or communication support I need?
- What is the total cost in writing, including any follow-ups, and how much time do I have to decide?
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to pay to be tested?
Does a positive hepatitis C test mean I definitely have it now?
How soon after exposure can I test?
Can these infections be treated?
Is there a vaccine?
Will a positive result affect my insurance?
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How we made this page
Medically reviewed by a GMC-registered consultant. Written in plain English, checked against NHS, NICE, GMC and relevant Royal College / specialist-society guidance, and kept under review. No clinic paid to appear on this page, and we publish no pricing. This is general information to help you prepare — it is not a substitute for advice from your own clinician. How we review our guides →
Source hierarchy: UK regulator and NHS/NICE guidance first, then relevant Royal College or specialist-society guidance, then peer-reviewed evidence for procedure-specific figures where available.
Sources & standards: NHS — Hepatitis C NHS — Hepatitis C diagnosis NHS — free home hepatitis C test kit NHS — Hepatitis B SH:24 — STI testing window periods
Reviews reflect patients' experience of care, not clinical outcomes. For procedure volumes and outcome data see PHIN.
Last medically reviewed 2026-09-21. Spotted something wrong or out of date? Report an error in this guide.
Related guides: Hepatitis B screening and treatment · Hepatitis C screening and treatment · Full STI screen · Sexual health (GUM) consultation · Bacterial vaginosis (BV) assessment