Diagnosis and monitoring

A blood test that measures antibodies against the hepatitis A virus can show whether a person has been exposed to the virus. Some people with compromised immunity may not produce enough antibodies to be detected by the usual tests. The virus's genetic material may also be measured directly.

Other blood tests are used to detect and monitor liver problems. These include liver function tests, which measure levels of particular enzymes including alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in the blood to determine how well the liver is working. Bilirubin, a by-product of the breakdown of red blood cells, is also commonly elevated in people with hepatitis A.

This content was checked for accuracy at the time it was written. It may have been superseded by more recent developments. NAM recommends checking whether this is the most current information when making decisions that may affect your health.