Hepatitis B and C: Testing and Care

Miyazaki City hepatitis screening at our clinic

Normal AST and ALT on a routine health check do not exclude hepatitis B or C. Check whether your report includes HBsAg and HCV antibody. If you have never been tested, please discuss screening.

Nishimoto Clinic is a designated provider of Miyazaki City hepatitis screening. Blood tests screen for hepatitis B and C infection.

Miyazaki City screening: fiscal year 2026

• For registered Miyazaki City residents not previously screened for hepatitis B/C. People already diagnosed or able to access screening through another program are excluded.
• Period: June 1, 2026–March 31, 2027
• Eligible screening at designated institutions is free.
• Check the hepatitis screening section of your voucher. Contact the city if you do not have one, Our clinic is listed as にしもと泌尿器科 in the city directory.

Check city eligibility and designated institutions (Japanese)

Please book with our clinic in advance and say that you would like Miyazaki City hepatitis screening. You can also ask us if you are unsure whether you have been tested before.

Screening appointments: 0985-39-8511

Screening and follow-up diagnostic tests are different. Further blood tests and ultrasound are not necessarily free. We explain testing options and costs after reviewing symptoms, history and eligibility.

From screening to monitoring or specialist referral

What does each blood test tell us?

HBs antigen (HBsAg)

Screens for current hepatitis B infection. A positive result requires further assessment.

HCV antibody

Shows exposure to hepatitis C. It may stay positive after spontaneous clearance or successful treatment, so it does not by itself confirm current infection.

Quantitative HBV DNA

Measures hepatitis B virus in blood to help guide treatment and follow-up. Viral load alone does not measure liver damage.

HBe antigen and antibody

Help assess the phase of hepatitis B infection. Replication can continue despite a negative HBe antigen result, so HBV DNA is also considered.

HCV RNA

Detects hepatitis C viral genetic material to confirm whether virus is currently present. Detection leads to specialist treatment assessment.

AST and ALT

Indicate liver-cell injury. Normal results do not exclude infection or liver fibrosis.

Total bilirubin

A substance associated with jaundice that helps assess processing by the liver and bile flow.

Albumin

A protein made by the liver. It helps assess liver function but is also affected by nutrition and kidney disease.

Platelet count

Counts cells involved in stopping bleeding. A low count can suggest advanced fibrosis but has other possible causes.

PT (prothrombin time/activity or INR)

Assesses clotting and the liver’s ability to make clotting proteins. It helps assess severity; anticoagulants may affect the result.

HBs and HBc antibodies may also be checked for immunity or past hepatitis B infection. Before chemotherapy or immune-suppressing treatment, assessment for reactivation of past infection is particularly important.

Ultrasound assesses liver appearance and stiffness

Abdominal ultrasound

An ultrasound probe on the abdomen shows the liver’s shape, surface and internal appearance, and checks for focal lesions and fluid. It does not use ionizing radiation. Suspicious findings may need CT or MRI at a specialist service.

Shear-wave elastography

Our clinic offers shear-wave elastography to measure liver stiffness. It helps estimate fibrosis—the accumulation of scar tissue—and adds information beyond blood tests.

Inflammation, congestion and impaired bile flow can also increase measured stiffness. The number alone does not diagnose cirrhosis; blood tests and conventional ultrasound are considered together.

When is antiviral treatment considered?

Treatment decisions differ for hepatitis B and hepatitis C. Test results are considered together to assess whether treatment is needed.

Hepatitis B: viral load, inflammation and fibrosis

A positive HBsAg result does not mean everyone needs medication immediately. In adults with chronic hepatitis B, the main criteria are as follows.

ALT indicates liver inflammation, while HBV DNA measures viral load. Fibrosis means an accumulation of scar-like tissue in the liver.

Treatment may be needed despite normal ALT when fibrosis is advanced. Ultrasound and shear-wave stiffness measurements at our clinic contribute to fibrosis assessment. Stiffness alone does not establish the stage; blood tests and imaging findings are also considered.

People with stable low inflammatory activity, low viral load and no advanced fibrosis are monitored regularly without medication.

Hepatitis B guideline, version 5 (June 2026) (Japanese)

Hepatitis C: checking for current infection

HCV antibodies may remain positive after the virus has cleared spontaneously or after treatment. HCV RNA confirms whether infection is currently present.

Hepatitis Information Center: hepatitis C (Japanese) ／ Hepatitis C guideline, version 8.4 (April 2025) (Japanese)

What can happen if hepatitis progresses?

Hepatitis B and C can cause ongoing inflammation with few symptoms. Repeated injury may lead to fibrosis and eventually cirrhosis, in which the liver becomes scarred and stiff. Not everyone progresses in the same way.

Progressive cirrhosis can cause the following complications.

Severe loss of liver function can cause life-threatening liver failure.

Hepatitis Information Center: cirrhosis (Japanese)

Hepatitis B can also cause liver cancer

Liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma) can develop in people with hepatitis B as well as hepatitis C. In hepatitis B, liver cancer can occur even without cirrhosis. Regular monitoring is important even when there are no symptoms or liver inflammation is well controlled.

Antiviral treatment reduces but does not eliminate liver cancer risk. After suppression of hepatitis B or clearance of hepatitis C, regular tests such as abdominal ultrasound continue according to liver status to support early detection.

Hepatitis Information Center: hepatitis B (Japanese) ／ Hepatitis Information Center: liver cancer (Japanese)

Treatment aims to control current inflammation and reduce the future risk of cirrhosis and liver cancer. Finding an infection before symptoms develop helps arrange appropriate treatment.

Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare: why screening matters (Japanese)

Specialist treatment and outlook

Hepatitis B: suppressing the virus and protecting the liver

When treatment is needed, oral medicines such as entecavir or tenofovir suppress viral replication. Interferon may be considered in selected cases. Not everyone with hepatitis B needs medication immediately.

Treatment can reduce liver inflammation and the risk of progression to cirrhosis or liver cancer. Completely eliminating the virus is difficult, and long-term medication may be needed. Do not stop treatment without medical advice, and continue regular monitoring.

Hepatitis C: oral treatment aims to clear the virus

Treatment usually combines direct-acting antiviral medicines (DAAs), often for 8–12 weeks. A specialist selects the regimen and duration after reviewing cirrhosis, previous treatment, kidney function and other medicines.

Viral clearance can reduce liver inflammation and future liver cancer risk. The risk is not eliminated, particularly with advanced fibrosis or cirrhosis, so follow-up remains important after successful treatment.

Hepatitis B guideline, version 5 (June 2026) (Japanese) ／ Hepatitis C guideline, version 8.4 (April 2025) (Japanese)

Frequently asked questions