Your Hepatitis B Test Results: What Do They Mean? - Gastroenterology and Hepatology

Hepatitis B

Dear Doctor: I had a blood test that showed negative for Hepatitis B surface antibodies (Anti-HBs) and positive for Hepatitis B core IgG antibodies.
What does this result indicate? Are these two tests sufficient for assessment, and can I still receive the vaccine? Is HBe antigen testing a basic item to determine if there is an active infection? Thank you for your response!

Fen, 30~39 year old female. Ask Date: 2002/11/14

Dr. Su Baojia reply Gastroenterology and Hepatology

Typically, both HBsAg and Anti-HBs need to be negative before administering the hepatitis B vaccine.
HBsAg is the primary marker for infection.

Reply Date: 2002/11/14

More Info

Understanding your Hepatitis B test results can be quite complex, especially when interpreting the various markers involved. In your case, you mentioned that your Hepatitis B surface antibody (Anti-HBs) is negative, while your Hepatitis B core IgG antibody (HBc IgG) is positive. Let’s break down what these results mean and how they relate to your overall health regarding Hepatitis B.

1. Hepatitis B Surface Antibody (Anti-HBs): This antibody is typically produced after a person has been vaccinated against Hepatitis B or has cleared a Hepatitis B infection. A negative result indicates that you do not have immunity to Hepatitis B, either from vaccination or from recovering from an infection.

2. Hepatitis B Core IgG Antibody (HBc IgG): The presence of this antibody indicates that you have been exposed to the Hepatitis B virus at some point in your life. It does not differentiate between an acute or chronic infection, but in the context of your negative Anti-HBs result, it suggests that you may have had a past infection.

Given these two results, your situation can be interpreted as follows:
- Past Infection: The positive HBc IgG indicates that you have been infected with Hepatitis B in the past. However, since your Anti-HBs is negative, it suggests that you did not develop immunity from that infection, or that the infection was resolved without the development of protective antibodies.

- Current Infection Status: To determine whether you are currently infected with Hepatitis B, additional tests are necessary, particularly the Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) test. If HBsAg is negative, it indicates that you are not currently infected, but you may still be at risk for future infections due to the absence of protective antibodies.

3. Vaccination Considerations: Since you have a negative Anti-HBs result, you are not immune to Hepatitis B. If you have not been vaccinated, it is advisable to consider getting the Hepatitis B vaccine. Vaccination is safe and effective, and it can help you develop the necessary antibodies to protect against future infections.

4. HBe Antigen (HBeAg): This marker is used to assess the level of viral replication and infectivity. If you are concerned about your current infection status, testing for HBeAg and Hepatitis B viral load (HBV DNA) would provide more information about whether you are actively infected and the level of virus present in your blood.

In summary, your test results indicate a past exposure to Hepatitis B without current immunity. It is crucial to follow up with additional testing to confirm your current infection status and to discuss vaccination options with your healthcare provider. Regular monitoring and preventive measures are essential to manage your health effectively regarding Hepatitis B. If you have any further questions or concerns, do not hesitate to reach out to your healthcare provider for personalized advice and guidance.

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