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

Q: Your Hepatitis B Test Results: What Do They Mean?

Hello! There are three types of antibodies for Hepatitis B： surface antibody (HBsAb), e antibody (HBeAb), and core antibody (HBcAb). <br>Among these, only the surface antibody provides protection, indicating that a person has recovered from Hepatitis B and has developed protectiv

Hepatitis B

Dear Doctor: I had a blood test that showed a negative result for Hepatitis B surface antibodies (Anti-HBs) and a positive result for Hepatitis B core IgG antibodies.
Does this mean I am infected with Hepatitis B? Thank you.

Fen, 30~39 year old female. Ask Date: 2002/11/20

Dr. Yang Peizhen reply Gastroenterology and Hepatology

Hello! There are three types of antibodies for Hepatitis B: surface antibody (HBsAb), e antibody (HBeAb), and core antibody (HBcAb).
Among these, only the surface antibody provides protection, indicating that a person has recovered from Hepatitis B and has developed protective antibodies (HBsAb), thus preventing reinfection with Hepatitis B.
Once a person has been infected with Hepatitis B, they will produce core antibodies (HBcAb), which do not provide protection.
Whether it is appropriate to receive the Hepatitis B vaccine in this situation is subjective, as it does not guarantee the production of HBsAb; however, since the vaccine is quite safe, it can still be considered if there are concerns.
In fact, because Hepatitis B is primarily transmitted through blood, the likelihood of adults contracting Hepatitis B is relatively low as long as unnecessary injections, tattoos, eyebrow tattoos, and risky sexual behaviors are avoided.
Wishing you and your family peace and happiness.
Sincerely, Dr.
Yang Pei-Zhen, Taoyuan Hospital, Department of Health, Executive Yuan.

Reply Date: 2002/11/20

More Info

When interpreting your Hepatitis B test results, it’s essential to understand what each component of the test indicates regarding your infection status and immune response. In your case, you mentioned that your Hepatitis B surface antibody (Anti-HBs) is negative, while your Hepatitis B core IgG antibody is positive. Let's break down what these results mean.

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

2. Hepatitis B Core IgG Antibody (Anti-HBc IgG): This antibody indicates past or ongoing infection with the Hepatitis B virus. A positive result means that you have been exposed to the virus at some point in your life. It does not differentiate between a resolved infection and a chronic infection.

Given your results, the combination of a positive Anti-HBc IgG and a negative Anti-HBs suggests that you have likely had a past infection with Hepatitis B, but you have not cleared the virus or developed immunity. This scenario is often referred to as "resolved infection" if the Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) is also negative, which indicates that you are not currently infectious. However, if HBsAg were positive, it would suggest that you are a chronic carrier of the virus.

Additional Considerations:
- Hepatitis B Surface Antigen (HBsAg): If you have not had this test done, it is crucial to check it. A negative HBsAg would confirm that you are not currently infected, while a positive result would indicate that you are still carrying the virus.

- Follow-Up Testing: If you have not already done so, it would be advisable to have your HBsAg tested. Additionally, testing for Hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) and Hepatitis B viral load (HBV DNA) can provide further insight into the activity of the virus and whether you are at risk of liver damage.

- Monitoring and Management: If you are found to be a chronic carrier (positive HBsAg), regular monitoring of liver function tests (like ALT and AST), as well as imaging studies (like ultrasound), may be necessary to assess liver health and detect any potential complications, such as cirrhosis or liver cancer.

- Vaccination: If you are not infected and have never been vaccinated, consider discussing vaccination with your healthcare provider to protect yourself against future Hepatitis B infection.

In summary, your current test results indicate that you have been exposed to Hepatitis B in the past but do not show immunity. It is essential to follow up with additional testing to clarify your infection status and determine the appropriate next steps for your health. Always consult with your healthcare provider for personalized advice and management based on your specific situation.

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