Finally! This test produces results in 20 minutes. It will just be a matter of time before it is in widespread use.

http://health.usnews.com/health-news/family-health/digestive-disorders/articles/2010/06/25/rapid-test-to-detect-hepatitis-c-approved.html

Here is a good article about the various types of liver biopsies. It is fairly detailed, but if you have good medical understanding, you can follow it.

http://www.heart-intl.net/HEART/072404/WhatyouneedtoknowLiverBiopsy.pdf

I guess I’m a little behind the 8 ball on this one, but I just found out that FDA approved home tests to detect HCV are available. Would anybody like to comment on this? Are they accurate? Isn’t it cheaper just to go to your own doctor for the test? One test I saw cost $58. How much does it cost to get a test from your own doctor?

OraSure can detect HCV in 20 minutes. Read more here:

http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/bethlehem/index.ssf/2009/12/orasure_gets_nod_to_sell_hepat.html

The AASLD (American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases) just released updated Practice Guidelines on the Diagnosis, Management, and Treatment of Hepatitis C.

The Archives of Internal Medicine recently pubslihed a study about screening for hepatitis C in the primary care setting. Certain individuals may be at risk for hepatitis C. Such people may benefit from routine blood tests for hepatitis C. Interested in learning more? Then take a look at the abstract here.