Hepatitis B and C
Determine infection status and improve patient care
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends screening for hepatitis B and C infections for all adults at least once in their lifetime. Early screening is especially important for those who have been exposed to the hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV), as chronic infections can cause serious and potentially life-threatening health problems, such as liver damage and liver cancer, if not treated.
Since people infected with these viruses often do not experience symptoms in the initial stages of the infection, testing is the only way to determine infection status. Knowledge of infection status opens the door to appropriate care and can help to limit further spread of the infection.
Hepatitis test menu
Hepatitis B screening
Screening recommendations put forth by the CDC recommend universal screening for hepatitis B for all adults at least once.
Key testing
- HBGSN | Hepatitis B Virus Surface Antigen Screen, Serum
- HBBSN | Hepatitis B Virus Surface Antibody Screen, Qualitative/Quantitative, Serum
- HBCSN | Hepatitis B Virus Core Total Antibodies Screen, Serum
Hepatitis B prenatal testing
CDC guidelines also recommend that pregnant women undergo screening for each pregnancy.
Key testing
- HBAGP | Hepatitis B Virus Surface Antigen Prenatal, Serum
- HBABP | Hepatitis B Virus Surface Antibody Prenatal, Qualitative/Quantitative, Serum
- HBCPR | Hepatitis B Virus Core Total Antibodies Prenatal, Serum
Hepatitis C screening
Universal screening for HCV is recommended at least once for all people aged 18–79 and for all pregnant women by both the CDC and the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.
Key testing
- HCSRN | Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Antibody Screen with Reflex to HCV RNA, PCR, Asymptomatic, Serum
- HCVSP | Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Antibody Screen Prenatal, Serum
References
- Hepatitis B basics. Centers for Disease Control Hepatitis B. https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis-b/about/index.html. Updated Aug. 28, 2025. Accessed April 21, 2026.
- Hall EW, Bradley H, Barker LK, Lewis K, Shealey J, Valverde E, Sullivan P, Gupta N, Hofmeister MG. Estimating hepatitis C prevalence in the United States, 2017-2020. Hepatology. 2024 May 13.