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

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

Hello： Your health check report should indicate： "Hepatitis B antibodies present, lifelong immunity" - you will not contract Hepatitis B and do not need to receive the vaccine - this may be due to a successful Hepatitis B vaccination or possibly due to natural exposure to Hepatit

Could you please specify which medical terms or phrases you would like to know about?

Hello Doctor: During my university entrance health check, the results were as follows: HBsAg - Anti-HBs + HBe Ag -.
What do these results mean? Have I had hepatitis B? Do I need to get vaccinated?

Zheng, 20~29 year old female. Ask Date: 2005/12/03

Dr. Chen Shidian reply Gastroenterology and Hepatology

Hello: Your health check report should indicate: "Hepatitis B antibodies present, lifelong immunity" - you will not contract Hepatitis B and do not need to receive the vaccine - this may be due to a successful Hepatitis B vaccination or possibly due to natural exposure to Hepatitis B after birth, resulting in the presence of antibodies.
Wishing you health and happiness, Chen Shidian, Changhua Hospital cares about your health.

Reply Date: 2005/12/03

More Info

Understanding your Hepatitis B test results is crucial for determining your health status regarding this viral infection. Based on the results you provided: HBsAg negative, Anti-HBs positive, and HBeAg negative, we can draw several important conclusions.

1. HBsAg (Hepatitis B Surface Antigen): This test is used to determine if you are currently infected with the Hepatitis B virus (HBV). A negative result indicates that you are not currently infected. This is a positive sign, as it suggests that you do not have an active Hepatitis B infection.

2. Anti-HBs (Hepatitis B Surface Antibody): This antibody is produced by your immune system in response to the Hepatitis B virus or after vaccination. A positive result means that you have developed immunity to Hepatitis B, either from a past infection or from vaccination. Since your Anti-HBs is positive, it indicates that you are protected against future infections.

3. HBeAg (Hepatitis B e Antigen): This test is often used to assess the level of viral replication and infectivity. A negative result suggests that there is no active viral replication, which aligns with your HBsAg negative result.

Interpretation of Your Results:
Given that you have a negative HBsAg and a positive Anti-HBs, it is clear that you have either recovered from a past Hepatitis B infection or you have been vaccinated against it. The negative HBeAg further supports the conclusion that there is no active infection.

Do You Need a Vaccine?
Since you already have a positive Anti-HBs, you do not need to receive the Hepatitis B vaccine. The presence of this antibody indicates that your immune system is capable of fighting off the virus, should you ever be exposed to it. Vaccination is typically recommended for individuals who are at risk of infection and do not have immunity.

Additional Considerations:
- Past Infection: If you had a past Hepatitis B infection, it is essential to ensure that it was resolved completely. This is usually indicated by the presence of Anti-HBs and the absence of HBsAg.

- Monitoring: While your current results are reassuring, it is always a good practice to have regular check-ups, especially if you have any risk factors for Hepatitis B or liver disease.

- Lifestyle Factors: Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet, regular exercise, and avoiding alcohol and drugs that can harm the liver, is crucial for overall liver health.

Conclusion:
In summary, your test results indicate that you do not have an active Hepatitis B infection and that you are immune to the virus, either through past infection or vaccination. There is no need for further vaccination, but regular monitoring and maintaining a healthy lifestyle are advisable. If you have any further questions or concerns, discussing them with your healthcare provider would be beneficial.

Similar Q&A

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

Hello Doctor: I recently went to the hospital for a blood test, specifically for hepatitis B and C screening. The test results show HBSAG, with a hepatitis B surface antigen level of 15.53 S/CO. Does this mean I am definitely positive for hepatitis B?

Dr. Chen Shidian reply Gastroenterology and Hepatology
It is positive, but the concentration is low, indicating a lower risk of long-term deterioration. However, an ultrasound examination is still necessary to check for any abnormalities.

Understanding Hepatitis B Test Results: What Do They Mean for You?

I would like to ask a question. Since my father has liver cancer, I specifically tested for hepatitis B and received a report indicating HBsAg Positive (410.33). Does this mean I have hepatitis B? Is this value considered high? Additionally, Anti-HCV Negative (<0.02) is shown ...

Dr. Chen Shidian reply Gastroenterology and Hepatology
You have hepatitis B, but not hepatitis C. Please visit the gastroenterology outpatient clinic for evaluation.

Understanding Positive HBsAb Results: What It Means for Your Liver Health

Doctor! I have a question! After my health check-up, my Hepatitis B surface antibody (HBsAb) test came back positive. What does HBsAb mean, and does a positive result indicate that I have liver problems? I apologize for taking up your time! Thank you.

Dr. Cai Zonglong reply Internal Medicine
Hello: HBsAb, which is the antibody for hepatitis B, is protective. Therefore, if your HBsAb is positive, it indicates that although you have had hepatitis B, you have recovered, so there is no need to worry. Sincerely, Dr. Tsai Tsung-Long, Department of Hepatobiliary and Gastroe...

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

Hello Dr. Lin: I underwent a hepatitis B test, and the test items and results are as follows: (1) Test item: Anti HCV, result: Negative (0.06) S/CO (2) Test item: HBc IgG (Hepatitis B core antibody), result: Positive (3) Test item: HBs Ag (Hepatitis B surface antigen), result: Ne...

Dr. Lin Minghui reply Gastroenterology and Hepatology
Hello: The second hepatitis marker, IgG HBc, indicates whether there has been a past infection with hepatitis B. A positive result signifies a previous infection with hepatitis B, and if HBsAg is simultaneously negative, it indicates that the individual is not a carrier, meaning ...