Why Is HCV Testing Relevant During Pregnancy?

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is primarily a blood-borne infection, but it can also be transmitted from a pregnant woman with current HCV infection to her baby during pregnancy or around the time of delivery.

Identifying HCV during pregnancy provides an opportunity to:

• Determine whether the mother has current hepatitis C infection
• Assess maternal liver health
• Plan appropriate antenatal and delivery care
• Record the infant's HCV exposure
• Arrange the baby's postnatal HCV testing
• Link the mother to appropriate hepatitis C treatment and follow-up

The key principle is:

Anti-HCV screening identifies antibodies → HCV RNA establishes current maternal infection → current maternal infection determines whether the baby has been perinatally exposed.

What Is Hepatitis C?

Hepatitis C is an infection caused by hepatitis C virus.

HCV primarily affects the liver and is mainly transmitted through exposure to infected blood.

Many people with hepatitis C have few or no symptoms for years.

Untreated chronic infection can eventually contribute to:

• Liver fibrosis
• Cirrhosis
• Liver failure
• Hepatocellular carcinoma

Unlike hepatitis B, there is currently no preventive vaccine for hepatitis C.

What Test Is Used to Screen for HCV During Pregnancy?

Initial HCV screening generally uses an anti-HCV antibody test.

This detects antibodies produced by the immune system following exposure to hepatitis C virus.

Anti-HCV testing can be performed using laboratory assays or appropriate rapid antibody-screening tests.

The Microsidd HCV 10 Minutes Fast Self Test Kit is designed for initial anti-HCV antibody screening using fingerstick whole blood.

Does a Reactive HCV Antibody Result Mean Current Infection During Pregnancy?

No.

A Reactive anti-HCV result means hepatitis C antibodies were detected.

It can occur in a pregnant woman with:

• Current HCV infection
• Previous infection that cleared naturally
• Previous infection that was successfully treated
• An antibody result requiring laboratory clarification

Therefore:

Reactive Anti-HCV ≠ automatically current maternal HCV infection.

What Is the Next Step After Reactive Anti-HCV During Pregnancy?

The important next step is:

HCV RNA testing.

HCV RNA detects the genetic material of hepatitis C virus.

The result establishes whether virus is currently present.

The pathway is:

Anti-HCV Reactive
↓
HCV RNA
↓

RNA Detected → Current maternal HCV infection

RNA Not Detected → No current maternal HCV infection in most situations

For the detailed comparison, read:

HCV Antibody Reactive vs HCV RNA: What Is the Difference?

Why Is HCV RNA Especially Important During Pregnancy?

Mother-to-child HCV transmission is associated with maternal viraemia—meaning hepatitis C virus is present in the mother's blood.

A Reactive antibody result alone does not establish viraemia.

This means a woman who is:

Anti-HCV Reactive

but:

HCV RNA Not Detected

does not have current circulating HCV in most situations.

Can HCV Be Passed from Mother to Baby?

Yes.

HCV can be transmitted during pregnancy or around the time of delivery.

This is called:

• Perinatal transmission
• Vertical transmission
• Mother-to-child transmission

However:

A mother with current HCV infection does not automatically transmit HCV to her baby.

Most babies born to women with HCV infection do not acquire the virus.

What Is the Risk of Mother-to-Child HCV Transmission?

Current evidence places perinatal transmission at approximately 6–7% among infants exposed to maternal HCV infection overall, with estimates varying between studies and patient populations.

The risk is higher when poorly controlled HIV infection is also present.

These figures apply to pregnancies with maternal HCV infection and should not be applied simply because an anti-HCV antibody screening test is Reactive.

Does Maternal HCV RNA Need to Be Detectable for Transmission to Occur?

Current evidence indicates that perinatal HCV transmission occurs in pregnancies where the mother has detectable HCV RNA.

This makes RNA testing central to antenatal HCV evaluation.

Therefore:

Reactive Anti-HCV alone = antibody detected.

Detected HCV RNA = current maternal infection and potential perinatal exposure.

Does a Higher HCV Viral Load Mean the Baby Will Definitely Become Infected?

No.

Detectable maternal HCV RNA identifies current infection, but there is no single viral-load threshold that can reliably predict whether transmission will occur.

A quantitative HCV RNA result should therefore not be interpreted as:

“Above this number the baby will be infected”

or:

“Below this number transmission cannot occur.”

Does HCV Genotype Predict Mother-to-Child Transmission?

No specific HCV genotype has been established as a reliable predictor of perinatal transmission.

Genotype and maternal viral load should therefore not be used independently to predict an individual baby's outcome.

Does HIV Coinfection Affect HCV Transmission Risk?

Yes.

Poorly controlled HIV coinfection is associated with an increased risk of perinatal HCV transmission.

Effective HIV treatment and suppression of HIV replication are therefore particularly important when HIV and HCV are both present.

Does a Reactive Anti-HCV Test Mean the Baby Has Hepatitis C?

No.

A maternal antibody test provides information about antibodies in the mother.

It does not diagnose hepatitis C in the fetus or newborn.

The baby's status must be determined using an appropriate postnatal testing strategy.

Does Detected Maternal HCV RNA Mean the Baby Has HCV?

No.

Detected maternal HCV RNA means the mother has current hepatitis C infection.

It means the infant has been perinatally exposed and requires appropriate follow-up testing.

Exposure is not the same as confirmed infection.

What Does “Perinatally Exposed Infant” Mean?

A perinatally exposed infant is a baby born following a pregnancy in which maternal HCV infection created a potential opportunity for transmission.

This term is preferable to immediately calling the baby “HCV positive.”

The infant's own testing determines whether transmission occurred.

Is HCV Screening Recommended During Every Pregnancy?

Recommendations differ by jurisdiction.

For example, current CDC guidance in the United States recommends hepatitis C screening during each pregnancy except in very-low-prevalence settings meeting its defined exception.

Other countries and healthcare systems may use different population-based or risk-based approaches.

In India, testing should follow the applicable national, state, institutional and obstetric protocol.

Microsidd therefore does not present HCV testing as an automatically identical requirement in every antenatal programme worldwide.

Is HCV Part of WHO's Triple Elimination Programme?

No.

WHO's Triple Elimination initiative specifically focuses on preventing mother-to-child transmission of:

• HIV
• Syphilis
• Hepatitis B

HCV is medically relevant to pregnancy, but it is not the fourth infection in the formal Triple Elimination framework.

This distinction should remain clear in antenatal educational content.

How Does HCV Fit into the Microsidd Antenatal Infection Hub?

Microsidd includes HCV in this Knowledge Hub because:

• HCV can be transmitted from mother to baby
• Maternal HCV status can affect infant follow-up
• HCV antibody and RNA interpretation are clinically important during pregnancy
• Gynecology, maternity and diagnostic settings may encounter HCV screening

However, the central maternal pillar clearly distinguishes HCV from WHO's formal Triple Elimination infections.

Read:

Antenatal Infection Screening: HIV, Syphilis, Hepatitis B & HCV

What Happens After Current Maternal HCV Infection Is Confirmed?

If HCV RNA is detected during pregnancy, appropriate professional assessment may include:

• Review of liver function tests
• ALT and AST
• Assessment of fibrosis or cirrhosis where appropriate
• Review of previous HCV treatment
• Assessment of other medical conditions
• Assessment for HIV and hepatitis B where clinically appropriate
• Obstetric review
• Planning postpartum HCV treatment or specialist management
• Documenting the baby's perinatal HCV exposure

Should HCV RNA Be Checked During Pregnancy?

When a pregnant woman is anti-HCV Reactive, HCV RNA testing is important to determine whether current infection is present.

Current HCV Guidance also recommends evaluating HCV RNA and routine liver tests at the beginning of prenatal care in HCV-antibody-positive pregnant persons.

Can Hepatitis C Be Treated?

Yes.

Modern direct-acting antiviral medicines can cure the great majority of people with hepatitis C.

However, treatment decisions during pregnancy require additional consideration.

Are Direct-Acting Antivirals Routinely Used During Pregnancy?

HCV treatment during pregnancy is an evolving area.

There are increasing observational data on certain direct-acting antiviral regimens, but large-scale pregnancy safety and efficacy evidence remains limited compared with treatment outside pregnancy.

Current specialist HCV guidance allows treatment during pregnancy to be considered on an individual basis after discussion of potential benefits and risks between the pregnant patient and treating physician.

However:

DAA treatment is not currently routinely recommended solely as an intervention to prevent mother-to-child HCV transmission.

Should HCV Be Treated Before Pregnancy?

When HCV is known before pregnancy, treatment before conception is generally preferred whenever practical and clinically appropriate.

Successful treatment:

• Benefits the mother's long-term health
• Eliminates current viraemia when cure is achieved
• Removes the future pregnancy transmission risk associated with maternal HCV viraemia

What About Ribavirin During Pregnancy?

Ribavirin is contraindicated during pregnancy because of its known teratogenic risk.

Pregnancy considerations also extend for a period after ribavirin exposure according to current prescribing and specialist guidance.

Anyone who becomes pregnant while receiving an HCV treatment regimen should contact the prescribing clinician rather than stopping or continuing medication independently.

Can a Pregnant Woman Start HCV Medication Based on a Home Rapid Test?

No.

A Reactive home anti-HCV test does not establish current infection.

The appropriate pathway is:

Reactive antibody
↓
HCV RNA
↓
Professional maternal and liver assessment
↓
Individual treatment planning

Do not self-start antiviral medication.

Is There a Medicine Specifically Approved to Prevent HCV Transmission to the Baby?

Unlike HIV and hepatitis B, there is currently no routinely established antenatal antiviral prophylaxis regimen used specifically to prevent HCV mother-to-child transmission.

This is another reason HCV should not be presented as though its antenatal pathway is identical to HIV or HBV.

Should Caesarean Delivery Be Performed to Prevent HCV Transmission?

No.

Caesarean delivery is not recommended solely for the purpose of preventing hepatitis C transmission.

The mode of delivery should be based on appropriate obstetric indications.

Does Vaginal Delivery Automatically Increase HCV Transmission?

No.

Current evidence does not support routinely choosing Caesarean delivery instead of vaginal delivery solely because the mother has HCV infection.

Delivery planning should therefore remain obstetrically appropriate.

What Delivery Factors May Increase HCV Exposure?

Some studies have associated increased perinatal HCV transmission risk with greater infant exposure to maternal blood.

Examples include:

• Prolonged rupture of membranes
• Internal fetal monitoring
• Other invasive procedures that may increase fetal exposure to maternal blood

Where clinically appropriate, obstetric teams may try to minimise unnecessary invasive procedures.

Necessary obstetric care should not be withheld when it is medically indicated.

Should Fetal Scalp Monitoring Be Avoided?

When alternatives are clinically appropriate, invasive fetal monitoring that can increase blood exposure may be avoided in maternal HCV infection.

However, maternal and fetal safety remain the priority, and obstetric decisions should be individualised.

What About Amniocentesis?

If invasive prenatal diagnosis is clinically required, the procedure should be discussed with the obstetric specialist.

Available evidence has generally favoured amniocentesis over chorionic villus sampling when an invasive diagnostic procedure is required in HCV infection, but decisions should be individualised.

Can a Mother with Hepatitis C Breastfeed?

Yes, in most circumstances.

HCV has not been shown to be transmitted through breast milk in routine breastfeeding.

Maternal hepatitis C infection alone is therefore not usually a reason to avoid breastfeeding.

When Should Breastfeeding Be Temporarily Avoided?

Because HCV is blood-borne, breastfeeding should be temporarily interrupted from an affected breast when nipples are:

• Cracked
• Damaged
• Bleeding

Breastfeeding advice may also differ when HIV coinfection is present and should follow applicable maternal HIV guidance.

Does HCV Pass Through Breast Milk?

Routine breastfeeding has not been shown to increase HCV mother-to-child transmission.

The concern with cracked or bleeding nipples is exposure to maternal blood rather than ordinary breast milk itself.

Can the Mother Hold, Hug or Kiss Her Baby?

Yes.

HCV is not transmitted through normal everyday contact such as:

• Holding the baby
• Hugging
• Ordinary skin contact
• Sharing the same room

HCV is primarily a blood-borne infection.

What Happens After Delivery?

Postpartum care should address both:

The mother

and:

The HCV-exposed infant.

For the mother, follow-up may include:

• Reassessment of HCV RNA
• Liver-health evaluation
• Planning curative HCV treatment where appropriate
• Assessment of other relevant infections
• Ongoing hepatology or infectious-disease care where needed

Why Might Maternal HCV RNA Be Rechecked After Delivery?

HCV RNA levels can change during and after pregnancy.

Spontaneous viral clearance can occasionally occur postpartum.

Current HCV specialist guidance therefore recommends reassessing HCV RNA after delivery when planning ongoing care and treatment.

How Is a Baby Exposed to HCV Tested?

The appropriate infant testing strategy depends on age and applicable paediatric guidance.

One current evidence-based pathway used by CDC recommends:

Infant / Child Age	CDC Testing Approach
2–6 months	Nucleic acid test (NAT) for HCV RNA
7–17 months and not previously tested	NAT for HCV RNA
18 months or older and not previously tested	Anti-HCV test with reflex HCV RNA if Reactive

This is a U.S. CDC pathway. Infant testing in India should follow the applicable paediatric, hepatology and national or institutional protocol.

Why Can HCV RNA Testing Begin at Around 2 Months?

Current sensitive nucleic-acid testing can identify HCV RNA in perinatally exposed infants from approximately 2 months of age under appropriate clinical protocols.

Testing younger than this can create interpretation problems, including potential maternal blood contamination or passive transfer of viral material.

Why Not Simply Use an HCV Antibody Test in a Young Baby?

Maternal anti-HCV antibodies cross the placenta.

These transferred antibodies can remain detectable in the infant for many months after birth.

Therefore, a young baby's Reactive antibody test may represent maternal antibody rather than the baby's own infection.

This is why antibody-based infant testing is generally delayed until an age when maternal antibody has substantially disappeared.

Does a Reactive HCV Antibody Test in a Newborn Prove Infection?

No.

Maternal antibodies can persist in the baby's circulation.

Infant diagnosis requires the appropriate age-specific testing pathway.

Does Detectable HCV RNA in an Infant Mean the Baby Has Acquired HCV?

An appropriately performed and interpreted HCV RNA test after the recommended minimum age can identify perinatal HCV infection.

Infants with detectable HCV RNA should be linked to a clinician experienced in paediatric hepatitis C management.

What If the Infant's HCV RNA Is Not Detected?

Interpretation depends on the infant's age, assay used and applicable guideline.

Under the current CDC pathway, an undetectable HCV RNA result obtained at age 2–6 months means no further HCV follow-up is generally required unless clinically warranted.

Other professional organisations or national programmes may use different follow-up schedules.

Can Children with Perinatally Acquired HCV Be Treated?

Yes.

Curative direct-acting antiviral treatment is available for children beginning at certain ages depending on the approved regimen and jurisdiction.

Children with detectable HCV RNA should remain linked to appropriate paediatric HCV care.

Can Some Children Clear HCV Naturally?

Yes.

Spontaneous viral clearance can occur in children with perinatally acquired HCV.

This is one reason current infection should be confirmed with an appropriate HCV RNA test before antiviral treatment is started.

Does Maternal HCV Infection Require Separation from the Baby?

No.

Routine mother-baby contact is not a mechanism of HCV transmission.

The focus should be on:

• Appropriate blood-exposure precautions
• Correct infant testing
• Maternal follow-up
• Breastfeeding precautions if nipples are bleeding

Does HCV Infection Automatically Make a Pregnancy “High Risk”?

Current HCV infection requires appropriate antenatal assessment, but the degree of obstetric risk varies.

Women with advanced liver disease or cirrhosis require more specialised pregnancy care because cirrhosis is associated with increased maternal and perinatal risk.

Care may need to involve:

• Obstetrics
• Maternal-fetal medicine
• Hepatology
• Infectious-disease specialists

What If a Pregnant Woman with HCV Develops Severe Itching or Jaundice?

Pregnant women with HCV who develop jaundice, significant itching or abnormal liver symptoms should receive medical evaluation.

Pregnancy-specific liver conditions such as intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy may also need to be considered.

Do not assume every abnormal liver symptom is caused only by HCV.

Can HCV Cause Problems During Pregnancy?

Current evidence has associated maternal HCV infection with increased rates of some adverse pregnancy outcomes in certain populations.

However, individual risk depends on:

• Maternal liver health
• Cirrhosis status
• Other medical conditions
• Coinfections
• Substance exposure and other confounding factors

A Reactive antibody result alone cannot predict pregnancy outcome.

Does a Dark HCV Rapid-Test Line Mean Greater Risk to the Baby?

No.

Rapid antibody-test line darkness cannot determine:

• Whether maternal HCV RNA is detectable
• Maternal viral load
• Risk of perinatal transmission
• Severity of maternal liver disease
• Whether the infant will acquire HCV

The rapid test is qualitative antibody screening only.

Does a High Maternal HCV RNA Number Mean the Baby Will Be Infected?

No.

HCV RNA confirms current infection and can quantify viral load, but no viral-load value can guarantee transmission or non-transmission in an individual pregnancy.

Should the Partner Also Be Tested?

A pregnant woman's HCV result cannot determine her partner's status.

Testing of partners should be based on their own exposure history, healthcare guidance and relevant risk factors.

HCV is primarily blood-borne; sexual transmission is possible but less efficient than many other sexually transmitted infections.

Pregnancy + HCV Testing Pathway

Pregnancy / antenatal care
↓
HCV screening according to applicable protocol
↓

If Anti-HCV Non-Reactive:
No HCV antibodies detected.
If recent significant exposure occurred, consider professional assessment and HCV RNA testing.

If Anti-HCV Reactive:
↓
HCV RNA testing
↓

RNA Not Detected:
No current HCV infection in most situations.

RNA Detected:
Current maternal HCV infection
↓
Assess maternal liver health
↓
Plan appropriate antenatal care
↓
Avoid unnecessary blood-exposure procedures where feasible
↓
Delivery according to obstetric indications
↓
Breastfeeding generally acceptable unless nipples are cracked or bleeding
↓
Record infant as perinatally exposed
↓
Arrange age-appropriate infant HCV testing
↓
Maternal postpartum HCV evaluation and treatment planning

HCV Pregnancy Pathway vs Hepatitis B Pregnancy Pathway

Hepatitis C	Hepatitis B
Initial screening commonly uses Anti-HCV	Initial screening commonly uses HBsAg
HCV RNA establishes current infection	HBV DNA helps assess viral replication and transmission risk
No HCV vaccine currently available	Effective hepatitis B vaccine available
No routine newborn HCV vaccine or immunoglobulin	Timely hepatitis B birth dose is central to prevention
No routine maternal DAA prophylaxis specifically established for MTCT prevention	Maternal tenofovir prophylaxis is used in selected high-HBV-DNA pregnancies
Exposed infant requires HCV testing	Newborn receives HBV immunoprophylaxis and later follow-up according to protocol

HCV Pregnancy Pathway vs HIV Pregnancy Pathway

HIV and HCV should not be managed as though their antenatal transmission-prevention strategies are identical.

For HIV, effective antiretroviral treatment during pregnancy is central to preventing transmission.

For HCV, there is currently no equivalent routinely established antiviral prophylaxis programme specifically for mother-to-child transmission prevention.

HCV pregnancy management therefore focuses heavily on:

• Identifying current maternal infection
• Appropriate obstetric care
• Minimising avoidable blood exposure
• Ensuring infant follow-up
• Linking the mother to curative HCV treatment

Microsidd HCV 10 Minutes Fast Self Test Kit

The Microsidd HCV 10 Minutes Fast Self Test Kit is intended for initial screening for anti-HCV antibodies using fingerstick whole blood.

During pregnancy, the test should be understood as a screening step only.

It cannot determine:

• Whether HCV RNA is currently present
• Maternal viral load
• Whether infection is acute or chronic
• The amount of liver damage
• Whether the baby has acquired HCV
• The probability of transmission in an individual pregnancy

A Reactive result should lead to appropriate professional HCV RNA testing and antenatal assessment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is HCV testing relevant during pregnancy?

Yes. HCV can be transmitted from a mother with current infection to her baby, so testing can identify pregnancies requiring maternal and infant follow-up.

Is HCV screening required in every pregnancy everywhere?

No single global policy applies identically in every country. CDC currently recommends screening during each pregnancy in the United States, while other healthcare systems may use different protocols. Follow the applicable local or national antenatal guidance.

Is HCV part of WHO's Triple Elimination initiative?

No. WHO Triple Elimination specifically covers HIV, syphilis and hepatitis B.

What does Reactive anti-HCV mean during pregnancy?

It means antibodies to hepatitis C virus were detected. It does not by itself establish current maternal HCV infection.

What test confirms current HCV infection during pregnancy?

An appropriate HCV RNA nucleic-acid test is used to establish whether hepatitis C virus is currently present.

Does Reactive anti-HCV mean the baby has hepatitis C?

No. Maternal antibody reactivity does not diagnose the baby.

Does maternal HCV RNA Detected mean the baby has HCV?

No. It confirms current infection in the mother and identifies the infant as perinatally exposed. The baby requires separate testing.

How often is HCV transmitted from mother to baby?

Current estimates are approximately 6–7% among perinatally exposed infants overall, although risk varies and is higher with poorly controlled HIV coinfection.

Can HCV be transmitted if maternal HCV RNA is not detectable?

Current evidence indicates perinatal transmission is associated with detectable maternal HCV RNA. The clinical significance of results should be interpreted by the healthcare team.

Does a high maternal HCV viral load mean the baby will definitely acquire HCV?

No. Detectable RNA identifies current infection, but no specific viral-load threshold reliably predicts transmission in an individual pregnancy.

Should a pregnant woman with HCV have a Caesarean section?

Not solely because of HCV. Mode of delivery should be based on obstetric indications.

Can a woman with HCV deliver vaginally?

Yes. HCV infection alone is not an indication for Caesarean delivery.

Should internal fetal monitoring be avoided?

When clinically feasible, unnecessary invasive procedures that increase fetal exposure to maternal blood may be avoided. Obstetric safety remains the priority.

Can a mother with hepatitis C breastfeed?

Yes, in most circumstances. HCV infection alone is not a contraindication to breastfeeding.

What if the mother's nipples are cracked or bleeding?

Breastfeeding from the affected breast should be temporarily avoided while active bleeding or significant nipple damage is present because HCV is blood-borne.

Is HCV transmitted through breast milk?

Routine breastfeeding has not been shown to increase HCV mother-to-child transmission.

Can HCV be treated during pregnancy?

Direct-acting antiviral treatment during pregnancy is an evolving area. Specialist guidance allows treatment to be considered individually after discussion of risks and benefits, but routine DAA therapy solely to prevent mother-to-child transmission is not currently established.

Should HCV ideally be treated before pregnancy?

When practical, treating known HCV before pregnancy is generally preferred because cure benefits maternal health and removes transmission risk associated with maternal viraemia in a future pregnancy.

Can ribavirin be used during pregnancy?

No. Ribavirin is contraindicated during pregnancy because of its known teratogenic risk.

Should HCV RNA be checked again after delivery?

Postpartum reassessment can be useful because HCV RNA levels can change after pregnancy and spontaneous clearance can occasionally occur.

When can an HCV-exposed baby be tested?

Testing schedules vary by guideline. Current CDC guidance recommends HCV RNA NAT at age 2–6 months for perinatally exposed infants. Local Indian paediatric or institutional protocols should govern care in India.

Why isn't an antibody test ideal in a young infant?

Maternal anti-HCV antibodies cross the placenta and can persist in the infant for many months, complicating early antibody interpretation.

Does a Reactive antibody test in a newborn confirm congenital or perinatal HCV?

No. Infant diagnosis requires age-appropriate testing.

Can an HCV-exposed baby look completely healthy?

Yes. Appearance at birth cannot determine whether HCV transmission occurred, which is why follow-up testing matters.

Can children with HCV eventually be cured?

Yes. Effective direct-acting antiviral therapies are available for eligible children according to age, regimen approval and specialist guidance.

Does a dark maternal rapid-test line mean higher transmission risk?

No. Rapid anti-HCV line intensity cannot estimate HCV RNA, viral load or mother-to-child transmission risk.

Continue Through the Microsidd HCV / Hepatitis C Hub

• HCV Rapid Test Kit Complete Guide
• How to Use an HCV Rapid Test Kit
• HCV Rapid Test: Reactive vs Non-Reactive Results
• HCV Rapid Test Do's, Don'ts & Common Errors
• HCV Rapid Test Storage & Expiry Guide
• HCV Antibody Reactive vs HCV RNA: What Is the Difference?

Return to the Maternal & Infectious Disease Screening Pathway

• Pregnancy Confirmed? First Antenatal Visit & Important Screening Tests
• Antenatal Infection Screening: HIV, Syphilis, Hepatitis B & HCV
• HIV Testing During Pregnancy & Antenatal Care
• Hepatitis B / HBsAg Screening During Pregnancy
• Syphilis Screening During Pregnancy & Prevention of Congenital Syphilis

View the Microsidd HCV 10 Minutes Fast Self Test Kit

Microsidd HCV 10 Minutes Fast Self Test Kit – 1 Test Mono Pack

The product is intended for initial anti-HCV antibody screening using fingerstick whole blood.

A Reactive result during pregnancy should not be interpreted as proof of current maternal infection or infection in the baby. Appropriate HCV RNA testing and antenatal evaluation are required.

Medical Information Notice

This article is intended for general educational and product-information purposes. It does not replace antenatal care, hepatitis C laboratory diagnosis, hepatology consultation, obstetric care, paediatric evaluation or treatment advice from qualified healthcare professionals.

A Reactive anti-HCV result during pregnancy means hepatitis C antibodies were detected but does not by itself establish current infection. Appropriate HCV RNA testing is required to determine whether hepatitis C virus is currently present.

Detected maternal HCV RNA identifies current maternal infection and potential perinatal exposure but does not mean the baby has acquired HCV.

Pregnancy-specific HCV screening policies and infant-testing schedules vary between jurisdictions. Follow current national, local and institutional protocols.

Direct-acting antiviral treatment during pregnancy requires specialist assessment. Do not start, stop or change hepatitis C medication based on an online article or home rapid-test result.

Infants with perinatal HCV exposure require age-appropriate professional testing and follow-up.