Instructions for viewing hepatitis B test results

The article is professionally consulted by Master, Doctor Nguyen Thi Nhat - Infectious Disease Specialist - Department of Medical Examination & Internal Medicine - Vinmec Hai Phong International General Hospital.

Hepatitis B is becoming more and more common. The disease has almost no obvious symptoms but can cause great health effects. Testing for hepatitis B is the best way to detect it early and prevent harm. Here are the hepatitis B tests to do and how to see the corresponding hepatitis B test results.

The HBsAg positive hepatitis B test is a test based on the surface antigen of the HBsAg virus.
If HBsAg is negative: The patient does not have hepatitis B. If the patient is suspected of being exposed to hepatitis B or at high risk of exposure, an Anti-HBc test should be done to know for sure; If HBsAg is positive: The patient is currently infected with the hepatitis B virus. The virus increases rapidly during about 10 weeks of infection. In case the body is healthy and has good resistance, the virus can gradually decrease and disappear in the next 4-6 months. If the body recovers from the disease, the patient will have lifelong immunity to the hepatitis B virus. The patient should go to the doctor and test for hepatitis B again after 6 months to check the status.
In case of weak health, the virus cannot be repelled, the patient will have chronic hepatitis B. This case is counted when the test result is still positive after 6 months. If the patient has chronic hepatitis B, additional tests to evaluate liver function will be required such as hematological tests, biochemical tests and molecular biological tests such as HBV-DNA.
After the qualitative test for HBsAg, it is necessary to do all in the following order: Quantify HBsAg, Anti-HBs (HBsAb), HBeAg, Anti-HBe (HBeAb), Anti-HBc and Anti-HBc IgM.
In addition, patients should note, even if the HBsAg test turns negative, there is still a risk of cirrhosis, even liver cancer. Although the virus has disappeared, its DNA can still exist in these people. In other words, it is possible that the virus is still present, but at a technical level the test is not able to detect it.
Qualitative HBsAg test can only determine whether the body is infected with the virus or not, but it does not know how active the virus is, how it can develop, spread, and how it affects them. To get this information, the patient needs to do more additional tests.
In case hepatitis B is positive, the patient should follow the doctor's treatment regimen, do not arbitrarily buy, stop or change another drug because it may affect the treatment process later.

This is a test to determine how much or how little HBsAg antigens are. Understanding this quantification will help the doctor monitor the effective treatment process.

Anti-HBs is an anti-HBsAg antibody.
If the Anti-HBs result is positive: It means that the patient has immunity to hepatitis B. In this case, no vaccination is required. Anti-HBs levels > 10 mUI/ml are considered protective; If Anti-HBs is negative: It means that the patient is not immune to hepatitis B. In this case, vaccination is required. If patients have anti-HBs antibodies after vaccination or after recovering from illness, they have immunity to hepatitis B virus.

HBeAg is a capsid antigen of the hepatitis B virus.
If the patient is positive for HBeAg, the virus is multiplying and has the ability to spread.
If the patient is negative for HBeAg, it is possible that the virus is dormant or the virus mutates. To more accurately identify the patient need testing for HBV - DNA and HBV genotyping.

Anti-HBe is an anti-HBeAg antibody. If the Anti-HBe test result is positive, the patient has partial immunity. If the Anti-HBe test result is negative, it means that the patient is not immune to hepatitis B virus.
The pair of HBeAg and Anti-HBe tests should be complete to analyze the following 4 possibilities:
Case of HBeAg (+) and Anti-HBe (-): Virus is active, replicating, hepatitis is progressive, contagious; In case of HBeAg (-) and Anti-HBe (+): The virus stops replicating, the body has partial immunity, the ability to spread is significantly reduced. It is also possible that the wild-type mutant is; In case of HBeAg (+) and Anti-HBe (+): KN and KT are balanced or due to immune complexes. The patient needs to be monitored further; Case of HBeAg (-) and Anti-HBe (-): Pre-Core variant or window stage of seroconversion.

Anti-HBc is an antibody against the core of the hepatitis B virus. Anti-HBc can persist for life. This test shows whether the patient has been exposed to the hepatitis B virus.

Anti-HBc IgM is an antibody against the core of hepatitis B virus type IgM. Anti-HBc IgM occurs during acute hepatitis B or acute exacerbation of chronic hepatitis B. Anti-HBc and Anti-HBcIgM test to identify patients with acute or chronic hepatitis.
For accurate hepatitis B test results, patients should note:
Fast for 4-6 hours before the test. Because food can affect a number of biochemical reactions, leading to erroneous results; Do not take drugs before the test, especially antibiotics, psychotherapy drugs...; Do not drink alcohol, beer, use stimulants near the time of testing; The test should be performed in the morning. At this time, the body has had time all night to purge excess and toxic substances. In addition, a period of sleep overnight without eating also met the requirement for fasting before the test; Get tested for hepatitis B, get regular checkups, and follow your doctor's instructions and advice. Hepatitis B is highly transmitted by three routes: blood, sex and mother-to-child transmission. Therefore, in addition to testing for hepatitis B for yourself, you should also advise your loved ones and sexual partners (if any) to go to the doctor for the most comprehensive prevention.
Vinmec International General Hospital is one of the hospitals that not only ensures professional quality with a team of leading medical doctors, modern equipment and technology, but also stands out for its examination and consultation services. comprehensive and professional medical consultation and treatment; civilized, polite, safe and sterile medical examination and treatment space. Customers when choosing to perform tests here can be completely assured of the accuracy of test results.
Master. Doctor. Nguyen Thi Nhat has more than 10 years of experience in the field of artificial kidney, and in the field of infectious diseases, examination and management of patients with kidney disease and infectious diseases. Currently working as a Doctor of Infectious Diseases, Department of General Internal Medicine, Vinmec Hai Phong International General Hospital