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Hepatitis C (Hep C) is a viral infection that affects the liver and is caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV). Because many people with Hep C have no noticeable symptoms for years, the infection can go undetected until it leads to liver inflammation or long-term complications such as cirrhosis or liver cancer. Hep C spreads through contact with infected blood, most commonly from shared needles, past transfusions, or, less often, certain types of sexual contact. Identifying exposure early is an important step in protecting your health, since timely follow-up testing and treatment can prevent serious liver damage. What's In This Test: Hepatitis C Antibody (HCVa): This Hep C Antibody test checks your blood for HCV antibodies, proteins your immune system produces in response to the hepatitis C virus.  Unlike an HCV RNA test, which only shows an active HCV infection, this antibody test confirms whether you have been exposed to hepatitis C in the past. Why This Test Matters: The Hep C antibody test is the first and most important screening step in detecting hepatitis C. Because the virus often causes no symptoms for years, many people do not realize they’ve been exposed. Antibody testing helps uncover past exposure so you can take the next steps to protect your liver health. CDC guidelines recommend antibody testing as the initial screening test for Hepatitis C, as it’s designed to answer the first essential question, “Have you ever been exposed to the Hep C virus?” If the antibody test is negative, you typically do not need any further testing. Antibody testing is more cost-effective because RNA tests are typically more expensive and more complex to run. An antibody test is a simple, affordable way to determine whether you’ve ever been exposed to Hepatitis C. If the antibody test comes back positive, a confirmatory RNA test can then be ordered to check for an active infection, as not all positive antibody tests mean you have a current or active HCV infection. It could