Hepatitis B: Anti-HBc

1. What is Hepatitis B?

Hepatitis B is liver inflammation caused by an infection with the hepatitis B virus (HBV). Testing for hepatitis B involves examining a blood sample and providing information about current or past HBV infection.

This testing can be utilized to diagnose hepatitis B, evaluate its severity, and determine whether you have developed immunity to the disease.

2. What is the Purpose of the test?

Hepatitis B is a viral infection that induces inflammation of the liver. Test results for hepatitis B can reveal a current infection, past exposure to HBV, or immunity to the virus.

HBV is transmitted through contact with body fluids, primarily through blood-to-blood contact. Other transmission routes may involve various body fluids. Common modes of exposure to HBV include childbirth and infancy, sharing needles for intravenous drug use, and unprotected sexual activity. The prevalence of these exposures may vary based on geographical locations.

A hepatitis B infection can manifest as acute or chronic. Acute hepatitis B is a short-lived infection, and most individuals can recover completely without treatment within a few weeks to six months.

Approximately 5 to 10% of individuals with acute hepatitis B may progress to chronic hepatitis B, characterized by a long-term infection lasting six months or longer. Chronic hepatitis B poses an increased risk of complications, including severe liver damage, liver failure, and liver cancer.

3. Why a doctor may order hepatitis B testing?

Screening for HBV is crucial for early detection, especially considering that many individuals with hepatitis B may not exhibit symptoms. Screening allows for timely intervention, enabling treatment and preventing the unintentional spread of the virus to others. Hepatitis B screening is recommended for individuals at an increased risk of contracting the infection.

Hepatitis B testing serves multiple purposes:

1. Diagnosing and Evaluating HBV Infection: These tests determine whether a person has a current hepatitis B infection, distinguish between acute and chronic infections, and assess the potential for virus transmission to others.
2. Assessing Past HBV Infection and Future Immunity: Hepatitis B tests can identify whether an individual is immune, either due to vaccination or recovery from a past infection. These tests also help evaluate the success of vaccination in generating immunity and identify those at an increased risk of HBV reactivation.
3. Monitoring HBV Infections: After a hepatitis B diagnosis, testing is used to monitor the progression of the disease, identify complications, and assess the individual's response to treatment.

4. What are the Symptoms of hepatitis B?

Testing for hepatitis B is commonly conducted in individuals displaying symptoms that could be indicative of the infection. Symptoms of hepatitis B may include:

• Dark urine
• Fatigue
• Fever
• Gray- or clay-colored stools
• Loss of appetite, nausea, or vomiting
• Pain in the joints or abdomen
• Yellowish skin and eyes

Hepatitis B testing to assess immunity to HBV may occur either before or after vaccination. Pre-vaccination testing is not always necessary but might be performed if there is a suspicion of a previous HBV infection or if vaccination has already taken place. Post-vaccination testing is employed in specific high-risk groups for HBV infection, such as infants born to mothers with hepatitis B.