What Does The Test Measure
To determine if viral hepatitis is caused by the hepatitis A virus, hepatitis A testing looks for certain antibodies. Antibodies are substances made by the immune system in response to infection with a virus such as hepatitis A.
Hepatitis A testing looks for two types of antibodies. Antibodies are part of the bodys protective response to a viral infection, and hepatitis A virus antibodies may be measured by a few different tests:
- Hepatitis A immunoglobulin M antibody test: When a person is first infected with hepatitis A, the body produces IgM anti-HAV antibodies. These antibodies are usually detectable from two weeks after symptoms begin to around six months later.
- Hepatitis A immunoglobulin G antibody test: The IgG anti-HAV antibody test detects IgG antibodies that develop later in the course of the disease. IgG antibodies are detectable in the body for life, providing protection against a future hepatitis A virus infection. The IgG anti-HAV test is used to detect past HAV infections and may occasionally be used to determine if an individual has developed immunity from a previous infection or vaccination.
- Total hepatitis A antibody test: The total HAV antibody test detects both IgM and IgG antibodies and thus is used to identify both current and past infections.
Also Check: Natural Cure For Hepatitis B
Discussing Screening Results With Clients
The medical personnel who ordered or arranged the screening test, not counselors, usually explain the results. Hepatitis screening should be part of the intake physical examination in an opioid treatment program, and medical personnel may report the results. However, the client may want to discuss the results with the counselor or ask the counselor questions.
Anxiety might interfere with some clients ability to comprehend or retain information, which might need to be repeated.
Suggestions for conversations with clients when the test results are negative include the following:
- Explain results clearly and simply: So the HCV screening result was negative? This means that, as of 6 months ago, you did not have .
- Emphasize that a negative result to an HCV test does not indicate to and that the client should take precautions to avoid . If a relapse to drug use occurs, advise clients to avoid sharing any drug paraphernalia or equipment. Specify that this includes cookers, cotton, water, needles, syringes, pipes, and straws.
- Emphasize the importance of getting HAV and HBV vaccinations. Provide information about the availability of low- or no-cost vaccinations.
Clients whose screening test results are positive for will need additional tests and examinationsusually with doctors who specialize in diseases of the liver to get accurate diagnoses and to determine their health status and the extent of liver damage. These tests are described in .
Donât Miss: What Is Chronic Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B Vaccine And Surface Antibody Titer Faqs
PLEASE NOTE: This is program specific some programs require 3 Hepatitis B vaccines AND a positive Hepatitis B Surface Antibody titer while others will accept 3 vaccines OR a titer. Please read the information in your CastleBranch account carefully so that you know exactly what you need to meet your programs requirements. If you have any questions, please email and a team member will respond.
Dont Miss: Which Hepatitis Is Transmitted Sexually
You May Like: Test For Chronic Hepatitis B
Question 2 What Is The Hepatitis B Surface Antibody
The hepatitis B surface antibody is the antibody that is produced in response to hepatitis B surface antigen , a protein present on the surface of the hepatitis B virus. Anti-HBs appears after convalescence from acute infection and lasts for many years. It can also be produced in response to hepatitis B vaccination.
Other hepatitis B antibodies are not produced in response to vaccination. This is because these antigens are not in the vaccine.
What Does Hepatitis B Surface Antibody Ql Reactive Mean
If this test is positive or reactive, then your immune system has successfully developed a protective antibody against the hepatitis B virus. This will provide long-term protection against future hepatitis B infection. Someone who is HBsAb+ is not infected and cannot pass the virus to others.
Can reactive hepatitis B be cured?
Most adults with hepatitis B recover fully, even if their signs and symptoms are severe. Infants and children are more likely to develop a chronic hepatitis B infection. A vaccine can prevent hepatitis B, but theres no cure if you have the condition.
What is the normal level for Hep B surface AB?
For hepatitis B surface antibody , a level less than 5 mIU is considered negative, while a level more than 12 mIU is considered protective. Any value between 5 and 12 mIU is indeterminate and should be repeated.
Don’t Miss: Interpretation Of Hepatitis A Serologic Test Results
Identifying Patterns Of Risky Behavior
Screening is an opportunity to draw attention to the clients behaviors that put him or her at risk for contracting :
- Ask for the clients perception of his or her risk for having contracted : How likely do you think it is that the test will be positive?
- Listen for and identify behaviors that put the client at risk for contracting , B, and C and HIV, especially unprotected sex and sharing injection drug paraphernalia.
- Assess the clients alcohol consumption.
What Is Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A, also called hep A, is a contagious liver infection caused by the hepatitis A virus. Some people have only a mild illness that lasts a few weeks. Others have more severe problems that can last months. You usually get the disease when you eat or drink something contaminated by poop from a person who has the virus.
The hepatitis A virus usually isnât dangerous. Almost everyone who has it gets better. But because it can take a while to go away, youâll need to take care of yourself in the meantime.
You May Like: Is Hepatitis B A Virus
Also Check: Cure For Hepatitis A And B
Antibody To Hepatitis B Surface Antigen
Harvest Order Choice: 90640
Synonyms: Anti-HBs HBs Ab Hepatitis B Post-vaccine screen
Program: Virology
Unit: Viral Serology
Useful For: Qualitative and quantitative enzyme immunoassay for the detection of antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen in human serum and EDTA, heparin, or citrated plasma. The assay results may be used as an aid in the determination of susceptibility to hepatitis B virus infection in individuals prior to or following HBV vaccination or where vaccination status is unknown. Assay results may be used with other HBV serological markers for the laboratory diagnosis of HBV disease associated with HBV infection.
Method: Enzyme Immunoassay
Request Form: SRD-1
Container/ Tube: The following tube types and anticoagulants, including those in both glass and plastic tubes, have all been evaluated and found to be acceptable: SST, EDTA, sodium citrate, lithium heparin, and sodium heparin.
Type: Human serum or plasma
Volume: Fill tubes as labeling indicates to avoid improper dilution
Collection Instructions: venipuncture
Storage: Serum/ plasma should remain at room temperature for no longer than eight hours. If assays are not completed within eight hours, serum/plasma should be refrigerated at 2-8C. Specimens may be stored at 2-8C for 7 days. For long-term storage, the specimens should be frozen . Specimen should not be used if they have incurred more than 5 freeze-thaw cycles. Mix specimens thoroughly after thawing.
Reference Interval: Negative, non-reactive
When Should You Have The Test
Anyone who has symptoms of hepatitis B may benefit from having the test. Other people who may consider undergoing the hepatitis B panel test are those with known risk factors. These people include individuals born in places with a high incidence of HBV infection and those who use needles to inject drugs.
Also Check: Hepatitis B Signs And Symptoms
Iiiepidemiology Of Hepatitis B
HB virus causes acute and chronic infection of the liver. Typical symptoms of acute infection include nausea, abdominal pain, fever and signs of liver dysfunction such as jaundice, dark urine, changes in stool colour and hepatomegaly. Acute HBV infection may be asymptomatic in up to 50% of adults and 90% of children, and fulminant hepatitis may occur in 1% to 2% of cases. Although the majority of individuals spontaneously clear the infection after 4 to 8 weeks, the risk of becoming a chronic carrier, potentially leading to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, varies inversely with the age at which the infection occurs. Infants have a 90% to 95% chance, children over one year and less than 5 years of age 25% to 50% chance, and adolescents and adults 3% to 10% chance of developing chronic infection. Adults with diabetes may be at greater risk of progression to chronic infection and more severe disease.Footnote 2Footnote 3Footnote 4Footnote 5
Information used for the estimate of national HB infection prevalence based on blood samples is also collected through the Canadian Health Measures Survey .Footnote 24 Data collected between 2007 and 2011 for the population aged 14 to 79 indicate a prevalence of current HB infection of 0.4% , with the highest infection reported in the non-white and the foreign-born populations .Footnote 25
HB infection in adults with diabetes
Figure 1: Prevalence of diabetes among adults by age group, 2012/14
This is a column clustered chart.
What Do Hepatitis B Test Results Mean
Hepatitis B test results help determine if HBV infection is negative or positive, and if positive, whether the infection is acute or chronic, or if recovery is complete. A combination of results are considered to identify and classify HBV infection status.
The following are some interpretations of hepatitis B test results:
Table: Hepatitis B test results and interpretations
| Test |
|---|
Read Also: How Do You Know When You Have Hepatitis
What Does Hepatitis B Surface Antibody Borderline Non Reactive Mean
Ask U.S. doctors your own question and get educational, text answers â it’s anonymous and free!
Ask U.S. doctors your own question and get educational, text answers â it’s anonymous and free!
HealthTap doctors are based in the U.S., board certified, and available by text or video.
Are Test Results Accurate
While no blood test is accurate all of the time, hepatitis A testing is the standard and accepted method of determining whether or not a person has an active hepatitis A infection or formed immunity.
Although a positive result on an IgM anti-HAV antibody test is considered diagnostic for an acute infection with hepatitis A, this result may be less helpful in patients who arent experiencing symptoms of hepatitis. In patients without symptoms, finding IgM anti-HAV antibodies may reflect a prior hepatitis A infection in which IgM antibodies have remained in the body for longer than usual or an asymptomatic infection.
Read Also: The Signs Of Hepatitis C
Hbv Dna Hbv Genotype And Hbv Drug Resistance Assays
Specimen: Serum or plasma
Container: Red-top tube, yellow-top tube , gel-barrier tube, plasma preparation tube, or lavender tube
Collection method: Routine venipuncture
The specimen should be transfused to separate plasma/serum from cells within 6 hours and kept frozen when testing cannot be done promptly.
The tests use PCR amplification, DNA probe hybridization, and sequencing method.
What Abnormal Results Mean
There are different tests for hepatitis A and hepatitis B. A positive test is considered abnormal.
A positive test may mean:
- You currently have a hepatitis infection. This may be a new infection , or it may be an infection that you have had for a long time .
- You had a hepatitis infection in the past, but you no longer have the infection and cant spread it to others.
Hepatitis A test results:
- IgM anti-hepatitis A virus antibodies, you have had a recent infection with hepatitis A
- Total antibodies to hepatitis A, you have a previous or past infection, or immunity to hepatitis A
Hepatitis B test results:
- Hepatitis B surface antigen : you have an active hepatitis B infection, either recent or chronic
- Antibody to hepatitis B core antigen , you have a recent or past hepatitis B infection
- Antibody to HBsAg : you have a past hepatitis B infection or you have received the hepatitis B vaccine and are unlikely to become infected
- Hepatitis B type e antigen : you have a chronic hepatitis B infection and you are more likely to spread the infection to others through sexual contact or by sharing needles
Antibodies to hepatitis C can most often be detected 4 to 10 weeks after you get the infection. Other types of tests may be done to decide on treatment and monitor the hepatitis C infection.
Read Also: Best Juice For Hepatitis B
Read Also: Hepatitis B Surface Antigen Rapid Test
Summary Of Information Contained In This Naci Statement
The following table highlights key information for immunization providers. Please refer to the remainder of the Statement for details
1. What
Hepatitis B virus causes liver infection. Although the majority of individuals will spontaneously clear the infection, the risk of becoming a chronic carrier in unvaccinated individuals varies with age at which the infection occurs: up to 95% of infants, 50% of children less than 5 years of age and 10% of adolescents and adults will develop chronic infection.
Infant and adolescent immunization programs have been successfully implemented in all Canadian provinces and territories since 1990s. Duration of protection following a completed primary schedule is believed to be long lasting and no routine booster doses are currently indicated for immunocompetent individuals.
2. Who
This Statement addresses whether there is a need for HB re-immunization of adolescents who have received routine immunization in infancy, risk of HB infection in people with diabetes and timing of re-vaccination of people with immunocompromising conditions.
3. How
Although decline of antibody levels may be observed over time, long-term protection and prevention of chronic infection is dependent on the presence of T- and B-cell memory. Anamnestic response to a HB vaccine challenge dose is considered to be a reliable measure of preserved immunologic memory and a correlate of protection in previously immunized individuals.
4. Why
Hepatitis B Surface Antibody Qualitative
Presence of antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen is used to determine immune status to HBV or disease progression in individuals infected with HBV. Anti-HBs levels can be measured to determine if vaccination is needed, or following a vaccination regimen, to determine if protective immunity has been achieved.
– Anti-HBs usually can be detected several weeks to several months after HBsAg is no longer found, and it may persist for many years or for life after acute infection has been resolved.
– It may disappear in some patients, with only antibody to core remaining.
– People with this antibody are not overtly infectious.
– Presence of the antibody without the presence of the antigen is evidence for immunity from reinfection, with virus of the same subtype.
What is the Hepatitis B virus?
Hepatitis B virus infection, also known as serum hepatitis, is endemic throughout the world. The infection is spread primarily through blood transfusion or percutaneous contact with infected blood products, such as sharing of needles among injection drug users. The virus is also found in virtually every type of human body fluid and has been known to be spread through oral and genital contact. HBV can be transmitted from mother to child during delivery through contact with blood and vaginal secretions, but it is not commonly transmitted via the transplacental route.
The incubation period for HBV infection averages 60 to 90 days .
What are common symptoms?
Don’t Miss: How To Treat Hepatitis C Virus
Preparation Prior To Transport
Label the specimen container with the patients full name, date of collection and one other unique identifier such as the patients date of birth or Health Card Number. Failure to provide this information may result in rejection or testing delay.
Centrifuge if using SST. Place specimen in biohazard bag and seal. Specimens should be stored at 2-8°C following collection.
Specimens more than the following number of days post collection will not be tested:
- > 6 days for Hepatitis B surface antigen
- > 7 days for Hepatitis B e Antigen and Hepatitis B e Antibody
- > 10 days for Hepatitis B core Antigen and Hepatitis B surface Antibody
Iv1 Efficacy And Effectiveness
Pre-exposure
HWG’s assessment of evidence on long-term efficacy and effectiveness of HB vaccines in immunocompetent individuals, with particular focus on individuals immunized as infants and HCWs, was based on the findings of a joint Viral Hepatitis Prevention Board/World Health Organization conference, the WHO Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization updated review of evidence on long-term protection of HBV vaccination, Footnote 32Footnote 33Footnote 34 as well as the results of a meta-analysis conducted by Poorolajal et al. A supplementary literature search of studies published since November 2011 and a request for additional data from HB vaccine manufacturers did not identify any evidence that would suggest reduced long-term vaccine efficacy following immunization in infancy or among HCWs.
In November 2011 and October 2015, a comprehensive review of studies with up to 30 years of follow-up data was presented to WHO. Data on vaccination failures demonstrated that these events were rare and did not result in new clinical cases amongst the vaccinated population. The review did not find evidence for the need for a HB vaccine booster dose in routine immunization programmes.
Post-exposure
Don’t Miss: Hepatitis C Acute Vs Chronic
What Do My Test Results Mean
Test results may vary depending on your age, gender, health history, the method used for the test, and other things. Your test results may not mean you have a problem. Ask your healthcare provider what your test results mean for you.
Normal results are negative or nonreactive, meaning that no hepatitis B surface antigen was found.
If your test is positive or reactive, it may mean you are actively infected with HBV. In most cases this means that you will recover within 6 months. If you recover, you will have immunity from the virus and will not be able to pass the virus to others. A positive test may also mean you have chronic hepatitis B infection. If you dont recover in 6 months, the virus may stay in your blood and cause liver problems. You can also infect others. Your healthcare provider may give you medicines if you dont recover after 6 months.
Also Check: Most Common Cause Of Hepatitis C