Although every situation is somewhat different, you can probably expect at least three things to happen when you first visit your doctor to be evaluated for hepatitis.

• History. Your doctor will ask you a series of questions about your medical history, family history, work history, and lifestyle. Your answers to these questions will provide clues about your possible risk factors for hepatitis. Read further for some typical history questions.

• Physical. A physical examination of your body will include looking into your eyes, ears, mouth, taking your blood pressure, and checking your weight. As part of the physical exam, your doctor will also examine your liver from the outside.

  To evaluate the liver, your doctor will lightly tap your abdomen above the liver (the rib cage on your right side). The sound he or she hears may indicate whether there is an abnormality in the size and/or position of the liver. Next, your doctor will press gently over the area above your liver. If your liver is normal, it will be of normal size, neither shrunken nor enlarged, nor tender to the touch.

• Tests. Often, even in more advanced disease, hepatitis has no symptoms. Because of this, and because there are chemical and biological markers to indicate how the liver is functioning, a diagnosis of hepatitis is made on the basis of several laboratory tests. Initial testing will involve taking a sample of your blood, which is likely to happen at your first doctor's visit. Follow-up testing may be done after these results are received.

  See "What Tests Will Be Conducted?"

• Have you had a blood transfusion prior to 1975 (for hepatitis B) or 1992 (for hepatitis C)?

• Experienced chronic fatigue or tiredness for which your doctor was unable to find an explanation?
• Had surgery, including oral surgery?
• Had an endoscopy or other exploratory procedure — oral, nasal, or rectal?
• Had a Cesarean section or other obstetric or gynecological surgery?
• Been diagnosed as HIV-positive?
• Had kidney dialysis?
• Had an elevated liver enzyme test (ALT)?
• Been diagnosed with hepatitis B or C?

• Had a tattoo?
• Had body piercing?
• Had acupuncture?
• Been shaved in a barbershop?
• Served in the military?
• Changed sex partners frequently?
• Inhaled cocaine?
• Been in prison?
• Injected drugs?
• Had a problem with alcoholism?
• Had unprotected sex with anybody who would fit the above descriptions?

• Armed forces
• Healthcare workers
• Emergency services
• Prison services
• Science laboratories
• Tattooists
• Beauticians, barbers
• Institution workers (nursing homes/elderly care, psychiatric hospitals, substance abuse centers, hospice workers)