Hepatitis C

Initial screening for Hepatitis C can now be undertaken without the need for a blood sample. The OraSure® collection device collects a non-invasive oral sample which is ideal to identify blood borne
viruses as part of a screening programme.
An initial antibody test indicates whether a person has ever been infected with Hepatitis C.
The sample is tested for Hepatitis C antibody (Anti-HCV). This means that wider screening of high risk groups can now be undertaken without taking blood and unnecessarily exposing health care
workers to risk.
“As an alternative for patients with difficult veins or who decline blood testing or where there are practical difficulties in obtaining a blood sample, oral fluid testing using the OraSure® Oral Mucosal Transudate (OMT) sample collector under controlled sampling conditions, using
appropriately modified and validated immunoassays is accurate and suitable for clinical screening in this group”. Dr S Cameron Nov 2002 (Communication for the Hep C Strategy for England Consultation Document)

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