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Are Blood Tests Effective At Detecting Hepatitis B?
Posted on
Thu, 8 Feb 2018
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Thu, 8 Feb 2018
Answered on
Mon, 10 Sep 2018
Last reviewed on
Question : Can Hep B be detected by a blood test if it is dormant ?
Brief Answer:
Can detect past resolved infection.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Yes.
Hep B results in certain reactions in the body. It causes the production of certain antibodies.
Antibodies are part of the body's immune response to any infection.
In addition to these antibodies, certain proteins called antigens are also present.
The type of antigen and antibody that are found on blood test for hep B vary according to whether a person had a recent infection, was infected a long time ago and active, infected a time ago and infection resolved or had received a vaccine.
In a person with past infection that resolved and with no ongoing problems.
According to the CDC, the following would be seen- HBsAg negative or not seen(this is an antigen called hepatitis surface antigen), Anti HB c and anti HB s positive (these are antibodies that would be found).
In a person with a recent infection or chronic infection or vaccination- different results would be seen.
Hope I have answered your query.
Take care
Dr. Michelle Gibson James, General & Family Physician
Can detect past resolved infection.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Yes.
Hep B results in certain reactions in the body. It causes the production of certain antibodies.
Antibodies are part of the body's immune response to any infection.
In addition to these antibodies, certain proteins called antigens are also present.
The type of antigen and antibody that are found on blood test for hep B vary according to whether a person had a recent infection, was infected a long time ago and active, infected a time ago and infection resolved or had received a vaccine.
In a person with past infection that resolved and with no ongoing problems.
According to the CDC, the following would be seen- HBsAg negative or not seen(this is an antigen called hepatitis surface antigen), Anti HB c and anti HB s positive (these are antibodies that would be found).
In a person with a recent infection or chronic infection or vaccination- different results would be seen.
Hope I have answered your query.
Take care
Dr. Michelle Gibson James, General & Family Physician
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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