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How Accurate Is Hepatitis B Core Antibody Test?
Question: does positive hep b core antibody igm mean you have hepatitis b
Brief Answer:
This depends on the results of the other two standard hepatitis tests.
Detailed Answer:
In a standard hepatitis panel, three tests are done. The test you have that is positive is the core antibody and the interpretation of this depends on the result of the other two tests.
Hepatitis B core antibody is an antibody that is part of the virus. A positive result for this antibody test means there is or has been infection, but it could also be a false positive. To figure out it's meaning you have to also look at the Hep B surface antigen test and Hep B surface antibody tests.
If the surface antibody test is also positive it means there was an infection AND recovery.
If the surface antigen test is also positive (along with a positive core antibody test) then it usually means the infection is chronic.
IgM on any test, hepatitis or others, usually means a current or recent infection rather than one in the past.
So alone, a positive core antibody could be a false positive. Best to talk with the doctor who ordered this test to look at this test in the context of your current health. I hope this information helps.
This depends on the results of the other two standard hepatitis tests.
Detailed Answer:
In a standard hepatitis panel, three tests are done. The test you have that is positive is the core antibody and the interpretation of this depends on the result of the other two tests.
Hepatitis B core antibody is an antibody that is part of the virus. A positive result for this antibody test means there is or has been infection, but it could also be a false positive. To figure out it's meaning you have to also look at the Hep B surface antigen test and Hep B surface antibody tests.
If the surface antibody test is also positive it means there was an infection AND recovery.
If the surface antigen test is also positive (along with a positive core antibody test) then it usually means the infection is chronic.
IgM on any test, hepatitis or others, usually means a current or recent infection rather than one in the past.
So alone, a positive core antibody could be a false positive. Best to talk with the doctor who ordered this test to look at this test in the context of your current health. I hope this information helps.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hep b surface antibody is positive. Hep b surface antigen is negative. Hep b core antibody is positive. Hep b core antibody IGM is positive. Do I have hepatitis? Or have had it in the past
Brief Answer:
Infection in past 6 months, now recovered and immune.
Detailed Answer:
Hi again and thanks for supplying the rest of the picture with the other tests.
Your status, given all of these tests, is that you had a recent infection (within past 6 months) but are now recovered and immune.
So...
NO, you do not have hepatitis.
And yes, you likely had it in the past 6 months. And are now recovered.
If you are interested, here is a detail of what the various combinations of these tests mean: http://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/HBV/PDFs/SerologicChartv8.pdf
Infection in past 6 months, now recovered and immune.
Detailed Answer:
Hi again and thanks for supplying the rest of the picture with the other tests.
Your status, given all of these tests, is that you had a recent infection (within past 6 months) but are now recovered and immune.
So...
NO, you do not have hepatitis.
And yes, you likely had it in the past 6 months. And are now recovered.
If you are interested, here is a detail of what the various combinations of these tests mean: http://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/HBV/PDFs/SerologicChartv8.pdf
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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