Making the Diagnosis
Doctors diagnose hepatitis with blood tests and a complete personal history.
They will ask if you have:
- used intravenous drugs
- ingested recent meal of shellfish from polluted waters
- traveled to countries where hepatitis infections are common
- had a blood transfusion or been in contact with fresh blood
- had potentially risky sexual practices
- taken certain medications in the past few months
Diagnosing cirrhosis is based on your clinical/medical history and appearance,
and blood test results. A liver biopsy may also be performed to confirm the
diagnosis.