Took Hepatitis B PCR Qualitative, Results Was Negative. Exposure Was Year Ago. Was This The Right Test?

Posted on Tue, 16 Jul 2013

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Tue, 16 Jul 2013 Answered on

Wed, 7 Aug 2013 Last reviewed on

Question : Hi Doctor, I was tested for Hepatitis B. I ask for the most accurate Hep B test. the test I took was Hepatitis B PCR Qualitative ( NGI HBV UltraQual ) My results Negative: HBV DNA Not Detected. My exposure was a year ago.
was this the right test.

Answered by Dr. Dr.P.Ratnakar Kini (16 minutes later)

`Hi,
Thanks for posting your query.
I am Dr.Ratnakar Kini and I am pleased to answer your query.

Since the exposure was a year ago, PCR qualitative test is good enough.

Hepatitis B surface antigen and HBc IgM are tested during the early period after exposure.

I hope that answers your question.
If you have no more questions, kindly rate this service.
Regards,
Dr.Ratnakar Kini

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr.P.Ratnakar Kini (5 minutes later)

Negative means I'm I don't have hepatitis b

Answered by Dr. Dr.P.Ratnakar Kini (13 minutes later)

Yes, you do not have hepatitis B.

I hope that answers your question.
If you have no more questions, kindly rate this service.
Regards,
Dr.Ratnakar Kini

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar