Antibodies are part of the immune system's response to infection. Once an infection has taken place, the body makes antibodies, which become detectable in the bloodstream. Different antibodies fight different infections.

Explanation of test results:

If you have a positive test result for a specific antibody, it means that your body has had an immune response to that specific infection. It does not necessarily mean you are still infected--it does mean that you were infected at some point in the past.

It is recommended to check for antibodies to hepatitis A and B in all patients with hepatitis C. If you do not have antibodies to either of these viruses, vaccinations are recommended and highly effective.