Although every situation is somewhat different, you can probably expect at least three things to happen when you first visit your doctor to be tested for hepatitis C.

1. History
First, your doctor may ask you the following questions about your medical history, lifestyle, family history, and work history. Your answers to these questions will provide clues about your possible risk factors for hepatitis C.

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Medical History

• Have you had a blood transfusion prior to 1992?
• Have you experienced chronic fatigue or tiredness for which there was no explanation?
• Have you had surgery, including oral surgery?
• Had a Cesarean section or other obstetric or gynecological surgery?
• Have you been diagnosed as HIV-positive?
• Have you had kidney dialysis?
• Have you had an elevated liver enzyme test (ALT)?

Lifestyle

• Have you had a tattoo?
• Have you had body piercing?
• Have you served in the military?
• Have you changed sex partners frequently?
• Have you inhaled cocaine?
• Have you been in prison?
• Have you injected drugs, even once?
• Have you had a problem with alcoholism?
• Have you had unprotected sex with anybody who would fit the above descriptions?

Family History

• Do any of the previous categories apply to a member of your immediate family?
• Has a member of your immediate family been diagnosed with hepatitis B or C?

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Work History

• Does your work ever put you into contact with blood, blood products, or needles?

2. Physical
A physical examination of your body will probably include looking into your eyes, ears, and mouth, taking your blood pressure, and checking your weight. As part of the physical exam, your doctor will also examine your liver from the outside.

To evaluate the liver, your doctor will lightly tap your abdomen above the liver (the rib cage on your right side). The sound he or she hears may indicate whether there is an abnormality in the size and/or position of the liver. Next, your doctor will press gently over the area above your liver. If your liver is normal, it will be of normal size, neither shrunken nor enlarged, nor tender to the touch.

3. Tests
Often, even in more advanced disease, hepatitis has no symptoms. Because of this, and because there are chemical and biological markers to indicate how the liver is functioning, a diagnosis of hepatitis is made on the basis of several laboratory tests. Initial testing will involve taking a sample of your blood , which is likely to happen at your first doctor's visit. Follow-up testing may be done after these results are received.

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See also:
Next steps if your HCV positive

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