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What Does This HBsAg Test Indicate?

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Posted on Mon, 14 Jul 2014
Question: my hep b results were as follows..1) anti HAV 1gG - Negative 2) Anti HBc total - Positive 3) Anti HBs - Negative w/ ref rge > 10 ml/ 4) HBs ag Qualitive Negative...what does this mean?
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Answered by Dr. Dr. Rovena (3 hours later)
Brief Answer:
It is unclear.

Detailed Answer:
Hello!
I read carefully your query and understand your concern.

Let's take these tests one by one and explain what they means:
-HBsAg (hepatitis B surface antigen ) is part of the outer surface of the virus. Testing negative for this antigen means you're probably not currently infected.

-Anti HBs (the antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen ).Having antibodies can be due to a prior HBV infection from which you've recovered. Or, it can mean you may already have been vaccinated.
Anti HBs negative means you have no antibodies against HBV ,which means you haven't been infected and didn't get vaccinated for hepatitis B .

-Anti HBc (the antibody to hepatitis B core antigen).
This test identifies people who have an HBV infection.
A positive test result for hepatitis B core antibodies means :
-you may have a chronic infection that you can transmit to others.
- you're recovering from an acute infection or have a slight immunity to HBV that can't otherwise be detected.


Your hepatitis B test result are very unclear.Several interpretation are possible:

1.May be recovering from acute hepatitis B infection.
In this possibility help the medical history.In this case you should have had hepatitis symptoms lately (abdominal pain,dark urine,fever,nausea,vomiting,yellowing skin etc).
2. The test is not sensitive enough to detect low level of anti-HBs in serum and you are immune ( vaccinated of have pass the infection)
3. May be susceptible with a false positive anti-HBc.Means you never came in contact with the virus.
4. May be undetectable level of HBsAg present in the serum and you are actually chronically infected.

You should repeat the three tests and also consult a specialist of this conditions (A Hepatologist or a Infectious Disease Specialist ) for a prompt interpretation based on test result,medical history and physical examination.

Hope my answer has helped.
Let me know if you have any other question.

Best Regards.

Dr.Rovena Murati

Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

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

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2013

Answered : 1243 Questions

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What Does This HBsAg Test Indicate?

Brief Answer: It is unclear. Detailed Answer: Hello! I read carefully your query and understand your concern. Let's take these tests one by one and explain what they means: -HBsAg (hepatitis B surface antigen ) is part of the outer surface of the virus. Testing negative for this antigen means you're probably not currently infected. -Anti HBs (the antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen ).Having antibodies can be due to a prior HBV infection from which you've recovered. Or, it can mean you may already have been vaccinated. Anti HBs negative means you have no antibodies against HBV ,which means you haven't been infected and didn't get vaccinated for hepatitis B . -Anti HBc (the antibody to hepatitis B core antigen). This test identifies people who have an HBV infection. A positive test result for hepatitis B core antibodies means : -you may have a chronic infection that you can transmit to others. - you're recovering from an acute infection or have a slight immunity to HBV that can't otherwise be detected. Your hepatitis B test result are very unclear.Several interpretation are possible: 1.May be recovering from acute hepatitis B infection. In this possibility help the medical history.In this case you should have had hepatitis symptoms lately (abdominal pain,dark urine,fever,nausea,vomiting,yellowing skin etc). 2. The test is not sensitive enough to detect low level of anti-HBs in serum and you are immune ( vaccinated of have pass the infection) 3. May be susceptible with a false positive anti-HBc.Means you never came in contact with the virus. 4. May be undetectable level of HBsAg present in the serum and you are actually chronically infected. You should repeat the three tests and also consult a specialist of this conditions (A Hepatologist or a Infectious Disease Specialist ) for a prompt interpretation based on test result,medical history and physical examination. Hope my answer has helped. Let me know if you have any other question. Best Regards. Dr.Rovena Murati