Arrange your collection
Choose your location, add the test to your care bag and select a time. If you are booking for someone else, assign the test to them in checkout.
Choose collection locationSTI & STD · Individual laboratory test
HCV PCR Qualitative
This qualitative PCR looks for hepatitis C RNA. It helps establish current infection after a positive hepatitis C antibody result.
Price for this test on its ownAED 550
Clinical authorDr Nirupama SabhapathySpecialist Clinical Pathology
- Sample
- Whole Blood (EDTA)
- Laboratory turnaround
- 2 to 3 days
- Collection
- Dubai
- Laboratory
- Intel Lab
Understanding the test
What does the HCV PCR Qualitative test measure?
Also called Hepatitis C Viral RNA
HCV RNA is useful when checking whether a reactive antibody represents current infection. It may also be requested at a specified time after treatment.
When it may be requested
Checking for current infection
HCV RNA can clarify whether a positive hepatitis C antibody result reflects current viraemia.
Following antiviral care
A clinician may request another RNA test at a particular interval after treatment.
Before your sample
Prepare for collection
SpecimenWhole Blood (EDTA)
Your checklist
No fast is necessary. For a post-treatment check, attend on the date set by your clinician and provide the date of the last antiviral dose.
The clinician takes blood from a vein into a tube that keeps it from clotting. The collection team sends the labelled specimen to the laboratory.
Smart Report
Understanding your result
2 to 3 daysLaboratory turnaround
Result guideHCV PCR Qualitative
Reading your result
A detected result is evidence of current virus. Clinical timing matters for an undetected result after a recent exposure or during and after treatment.
What can affect it
- Exposure timing and the assay detection limit matter when interpreting a negative result.
From sample to follow-up
Your testing journey
Laboratory testHCV PCR Qualitative
- Specimen
- Whole Blood (EDTA)
- Turnaround
- 2 to 3 days
Open your laboratory report
Look for HCV PCR Qualitative in your report. Use the sample type and collection time when comparing it with an earlier report.
Explore Smart Report
Discuss the next step
Record the timing of any treatment or recent exposure so the clinician can interpret detected or undetected RNA at the right stage.
Clinical expertise
Your laboratory team
Patient questions
Before you book
Why might my antibody remain positive if RNA is undetectable?
Antibodies may stay detectable after a past infection has cleared or been treated. Your clinician considers timing, treatment and any recent exposure when interpreting RNA.
Can a hepatitis C PCR be negative soon after exposure?
Yes. Very early after exposure the virus may not yet be detectable in the blood, so a single "Not Detected" result soon after a possible exposure may need repeating. Your doctor will advise when a repeat sample is most informative, based on when the exposure happened and your other results.
Can hepatitis C PCR be positive when the antibody test is negative?
Yes, in two situations. Very early in an infection the virus can appear in the blood before antibodies have formed, and people whose immune response is impaired may not make detectable antibodies at all. In both cases PCR finds the virus that the antibody test misses, which is why your doctor may request it despite a negative antibody result.
When can a blood test confirm that hepatitis C treatment worked?
The usual cure check is a sensitive quantitative HCV RNA test at least 12 weeks after the last dose of antiviral treatment. An undetectable result at the end of treatment alone does not establish cure. Ask your treating clinician which RNA test they have requested and when it is due.
KEEP EXPLORING
Explore health packages.
Open a package to see exactly which tests it includes.
STD Basic Screening
A confidential 5-in-1 blood screen for the core blood-borne STIs: HIV (1 & 2), hepatitis B, hepatitis C and syphilis.
- Infections
- 5
- Samples
- Blood
- Listed turnaround
- 24 hours
AED 299
Explore package
STD Advanced 20
A 20-marker combined work-up pairing blood serology (HIV, hepatitis B & C, syphilis) with a 14-target genital PCR panel and urinalysis: a complete…
- Markers
- 20
- Samples
- Blood + Urine
- Listed turnaround
- 48 hours
AED 699
Explore package
STD Master 28
Our most comprehensive 28-target STI and genital-flora PCR panel, adding candida species, bacterial-vaginosis organisms and additional viruses on top…
- Pathogens
- 28
- Samples
- Urine or swab
- Listed turnaround
- 48 hours
AED 999
Explore package
Ultimate Sexual Wellness
A combined urine PCR package covering 45 named organism targets and 12 selected antibiotic-resistance genes, with clinician-led interpretation.
- Analytes
- 57
- Samples
- Urine
- Listed turnaround
- 48 hours
AED 1,499
Explore packageChoosing for a particular need?
We can help you read the options.
Your next step
HCV PCR Qualitative test at home.
Sources & further reading
Written by Dr Nirupama Sabhapathy, Specialist Clinical Pathology. Medically reviewed by Dr Joyce Jose, Specialist Clinical Pathology, on .
Catalogue information and AED price checked on 2 November 2026. Clinical suitability, preparation, collection arrangements and turnaround are confirmed for your selected test.