# Hepatitis C Virus (HCV), Quantitative, RNA (Abbott® RealTime)

> This test measures the exact amount of Hepatitis C virus genetic material in your blood, a value often called the viral load. It is primarily used to monitor an active infection and helps show how well antiviral treatments are working to reduce the virus. A significant drop in the amount of virus indicates the medication is effective, while an undetectable result helps confirm the virus has been cleared. However, this test does not measure the extent of liver damage caused by the infection.

- Labcorp code: 551300
- Category: [Infections](https://app.picardo.health/labs/tests/infections.md)
- Price: shown at checkout, before payment.
- Blood draw: free at a Labcorp location, or $75.00 at home.
- Order link: https://app.picardo.health/labs/order?tests=551300&ref=assistant

## About ordering

A licensed physician reviews every order before any test is run, and results arrive in the person's Picardo account. Ordering is open to adults 18 and over in the US, except New York, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Massachusetts, Hawaii and Maine. General health information, not medical advice.