Hepatitis C Virus Tests

HCV Antibody Tests

How It Is Done

The health professional taking a sample of your blood will:

• Wrap an elastic band around your upper arm to stop the flow of blood. This makes the veins below the band larger so it is easier to put a needle into the vein.
• Clean the needle site with alcohol.
• Put the needle into the vein. More than one needle stick may be needed.
• Attach a tube to the needle to fill it with blood.
• Remove the band from your arm when enough blood is collected.
• Put a gauze pad or cotton ball over the needle site as the needle is removed.
• Put pressure on the needle site, and then put on a bandage.

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Author:	Douglas Dana Maria G. Essig, MS, ELS	Last Updated: January 3, 2008
Medical Review:	Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine W. Thomas London, MD - Hepatology Jerome B. Simon, MD, FRCPC, FACP - Gastroenterology
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