Test Details: The purpose of hepatitis A testing is to determine if a person has been infected by the hepatitis A virus (HAV). The hepatitis A virus is highly contagious, and infection can cause hepatitis, a condition characterized by inflammation and enlargement of the liver. Hepatitis A is typically a sudden, acute infection that lasts a few weeks to several months. In most cases, this virus does not cause chronic infection. Most often, transmission of hepatitis A occurs through consuming unwashed food or water that has been contaminated. To determine if viral hepatitis is caused by the hepatitis A virus, hepatitis A testing looks for IgM and IgG antibodies. The total HAV antibody test detects both IgM and IgG antibodies and thus is used to identify both current and past infections.