Hepatitis A Virus (HAV) IgM Antibody

Hepatitis A is a contagious liver infection caused by Hepatitis A virus. You are most likely to get this infection from contaminated food & water or close contact with an infected person. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, yellowing of the skin & eyes (jaundice), passing dark coloured urine & itching. These symptoms can be mild or severe but there is no long term liver damage. Hepatitis A vaccination is available to prevent this infection. You need to take 2 shots of the vaccine, first shot followed by a booster after 6 months. This test measures IgM type of antibodies against Hepatitis A virus. Presence of these antibodies indicates active infection.