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Is A Negative Hepatitis Test Conclusive After 6 Months?

Posted on Thu, 8 Oct 2015

Question: I had a hepatitis test and it came back negative. I understand that hepititis b can leave your system after 6 months. Does the test mean I never had the hep virus? Is it possible that I had the virus and could have been contagious?

Answered by Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (24 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
To be able to answer your question I would need the results of the tests.

Detailed Answer:
I am glad your test came back negative.

In order to be able to tell you whether you ever had the virus and whether you could have been contagious, I would need the results of the following Hepatitis tests:

They are called:

HBsAg (Hepatitis B Surface Angtigen)
anti-HBc (Hepatitis B Core Antibody)
IgM anti-HBc (IgM Antibody to Hepatitis B Core Antigen)
anti-HBs (Hepatitis B Surface Antibody)

All of these tests are usually done when you get a Hepatitis B panel done. If you have the results of these I can help interpret them.

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

Follow up: Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (23 hours later)

I was told that it was an antibody and antigen test. I don't know if there were 4 tests. Is that enough information?

Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (48 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Please write up the results of the various tests - thanks.

Detailed Answer:
Yes, all 4 of those tests that I listed are antigen and antibody tests (see the names of those listed). If you have the results of them and can list the results with their names I can provide more information, thanks.

Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

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