Diagnosis of Hepatitis:

The doctor will take a thorough medical history with emphasis on the patient’s medications, alcohol consumption, previous surgeries and sexual activity. He or she may palpate the area over the liver to check for tenderness or enlargement.

If the skin becomes jaundiced and the person is exhibiting other symptoms of hepatitis, the doctor will do various lab tests, such as blood tests and liver panel tests. Additional lab tests include the antibody tests (ELISA II, RIBA II) and the hepatitis C RNA test via PCR technology for diagnosis of hepatitis C only.

If needed, the doctor may also perform a liver biopsy where a small portion of the liver would be taken for further examination under a microscope.