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What is Hepatitis B?
The hepatitis B virus (HBV) causes an infection which attacks the liver. There are acute and chronic variations of the disease and if someone is suffering from chronic hepatitis B, then they may end up with serious liver problems such as cancer or liver failure.
Many people with hepatitis B will not experience any symptoms and may fight off the virus without realising they had it. If symptoms do develop, they tend to happen 2 or 3 months after exposure to the hepatitis B virus.
Hepatitis B Transmission
Hepatitis B is spread when blood, semen, or other body fluid infected with the hepatitis B virus(HBV) enters the body of someone who is not infected or has not been vaccinated. People can become infected with the virus from:
• Birth (spread from a mother who has hepatitis B to her baby during birth)
• Sex with a partner who has hepatitis B
• Sharing needles, syringes, or drug preparation equipment
• Sharing items such as toothbrushes, razors, or medical equipment (like a glucose monitor) with a person who has hepatitis B
• Direct contact with the blood or open sores of a person who has hepatitis B
• Exposure to the blood from a person who has hepatitis B through needlesticks or other sharp instruments
Symptoms of hepatitis B include
• flu-like symptoms; including tiredness, a fever, and general aches and pains
• loss of appetite
• feeling and being sick
• diarrhoea
• tummy pain
• yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice)
These symptoms will usually pass within 1 to 3 months (acute hepatitis B), although
occasionally the infection can last for 6 months or more (chronic hepatitis B).
What is a Hepatitis B Immunity Blood Test?
A hepatitis B surface antibody test (HbsAb) detects proteins called antibodies that are
produced by the immune system in response to the hepatitis B virus (HBV). The test is used to determine if you are immune to the virus after natural exposure or vaccination.
Who Is The Blood Test For?
• To determine your immunity for work or for university
• To see whether vaccination for Hepatitis B has given you sufficient
protection (immunity may also be due to previous exposure to the virus)
• Unsure whether you received vaccination as a child
Please note, this test will not determine if you are currently infected with Hepatitis B
Biomarker:
• Hepatitis B Surface Antibody (HBsAb)
When To Take The Test
At least 4 weeks after completing a course of hepatitis injections or at least 4 weeks after a booster injection.
Sample Draw/Type
• A Finger prick blood sample using at home test kit or
• A venous blood sample taken by an experienced phlebotomist.
• Sample type: SST (Yellow top)
Interpretation of Results
• A “positive” or “reactive” hepatitis B Surface Antibody (HBsAb) test result
indicates that you are immune and protected against the hepatitis B virus. This
protection can be the result of receiving the hepatitis B vaccine or successfully
recovering from a past hepatitis B virus.
• A “negative” result means that you have not developed any antibodies
against the hepatitis B surface antigen. If you have had a hepatitis B vaccine, a
negative test means that you did not respond to the vaccine. You may need a
further course of vaccination.
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