HBsag, a blood test to diagnose hepatitis b

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Definition

What is HBsAg?

HBsAg (hepatitis B surface antigen) is the surface antigen of the hepatitis B virus. Therefore, HBsAg examination is necessary to confirm the diagnosis of hepatitis B (HBV).

If the result is positive, it means that you are infected with HVB and are at risk of transmitting the disease to others through blood or body fluids.

Keep in mind that hepatitis B surface antigen is an early symptom of hepatitis B and can appear during chronic or long-term infection.

When do I need HBsAg testing?

This one test for hepatitis B is needed when you experience symptoms similar to those of acute hepatitis, including:

• fever,
• fatigue,
• decreased appetite,
• nausea and vomiting,
• stomach ache,
• dark urine color like tea,
• the color of the stool turns pale,
• muscle and joint pain, as well
• yellowing of the skin and lining of the eyes (jaundice).

You may also be advised to do a HBsAg test if you are a group of people who are at high risk of developing hepatitis B. The following include:

• Having sex with someone with hepatitis B, especially without contraception.
• The results of liver function tests have an unexplained abnormality.
• People with HIV or hepatitis C.
• Travel to a country that has had an HVB outbreak, such as Asia and Africa.
• Having impaired liver function, such as liver failure.
• Injecting drug users.
• Are men who have sex with other men.
• Undergo kidney dialysis (dialysis).
• Using drugs that suppress the immune system.
• Work in a hospital or health clinic.
• Pregnant mother.
• The person who will donate blood.

The HBsAg examination also aims to see how effective the hepatitis B treatment has been to date.

What are the other functions of this examination?

Apart from helping diagnose hepatitis B, this test is also used to monitor the progress of the infection. For example, a test result that shows a chronic infection will help the doctor determine treatment options and reduce the viral load.

Therefore, HBsAg examination needs to be done periodically to make it more effective.

If the test is negative and the anti-HBs turns positive during treatment, it means that the medication given is effective in stopping the infection and reducing the virus.

Infected people can fully recover after undergoing treatment for 6-12 months.

Procedure

How is the HBsAg examination procedure?

Basically, the HBsAg examination procedure is the same as any other blood test. The attendant will use a syringe to draw blood from a vein in your arm or hand.

You also don't need to make any preparations. It's just that, tell your health care provider about any medications, herbs, and supplements you are taking. This is true over-the-counter drugs or illegal drugs used.

This hepatitis B screening procedure has a very low risk. However, it is possible that you will experience bleeding, infection, bruising, and dizziness after the blood sample is taken.

Also, when the needle is injected into your arm or hand, you may feel some pain or tenderness, but it only lasts for a short time.

When will this examination be effective?

Keep in mind that the hepatitis B virus does not actively replicate when it enters the body. This virus will undergo an incubation period that lasts an average of 90 days.

Therefore, HBsAg antigen and HVB DNA can be detected in the blood when hepatitis virus infection has lasted for 1 - 9 weeks.

In some cases, symptoms that have lasted for 7 weeks are sometimes unable to detect the presence of the antigen.

Result

The results of the HBsAg examination will depend on your age, gender, medical history, and the method used during the test.

Negative result

A negative examination result indicates that no HBsAg is present in the serum. Negative results can also be found in people who have completely recovered from hepatitis B.

This means that you are completely free of hepatitis B virus (HVB) infection. However, when you are infected with hepatitis D, where the virus suppresses the amount of HVB when it replicates, usually HBsAg is also not found.

If HBV infection stops, you will have antibodies to the virus and will no longer be able to transmit the virus to other people

Positive result

On the other hand, if the test shows a positive or reactive result, it is possible that you are infected with hepatitis B. Most cases report that the disease will resolve in 6 months.

When you recover, you will have immunity to the virus and will not be able to transmit the virus to other people. In addition, a positive result can also be a sign that you have chronic hepatitis B.

If it doesn't get better for more than 6 months, the virus may still be in the blood and cause liver function problems. You can also pass it on to other people.

That is why it is the results of this examination that make the doctor determine whether you need hepatitis treatment or not.

Support test

The reading of the HBsAg test results cannot be done alone. These results should be combined with other types of serological tests to detect hepatitis B, namely the HBc antibody test and the HBc surface antibody test.

The combined results of these three tests for hepatitis B are used to identify the phase of HBV infection whether it has progressed acutely or chronically.

Total hepatitis core antibody (Anti-HBc)

These antibodies appear from the onset of an acute infection and last your whole life. The presence of anti-HBc indicates the presence of an old infection or an infection that is ongoing for an indefinite period of time.

Hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBs)

Different from the HBsAg test, this anti-HBs test is done to see your immune system against the hepatitis B virus.

If the anti-HBs test is positive, you will likely be protected from exposure to the hepatitis B virus.

Usually a positive test result because you have previously had the hepatitis B vaccine. In addition, a positive test result also means that you are recovering from acute hepatitis B infection.

Other blood tests

The doctor may also suggest that the patient perform other blood tests along with the hepatitis test above to find out what type of virus and stage of infection you may have.

Not only that, blood tests can also be done to check your liver function whether it is working harder than usual, is under pressure, or is even experiencing serious damage.

If you have further questions, please consult with your doctor to find the right solution.