Hepatitis B Surface Antigen (HBsAg), Rapid Screening Test
Understanding Hepatitis B Surface Antigen (HBsAg), Rapid Screening Test
What is Hepatitis B Surface Antigen (HBsAg), Rapid Screening Test?
An Hepatitis B Surface Antigen (HBsAg), Rapid Screening Test test helps determine the presence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection by detecting hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in the blood sample. In addition to HBV screening, this test also confirms any previous HBV infection and helps monitor the ongoing treatment for hepatitis B.
Hepatitis B is a viral infection that affects the liver and causes liver inflammation. It is transmitted from an infected individual to another through sexual contact; by sharing needles, syringes, or other drug-injection equipment; due to infected blood transfusion; or during pregnancy or delivery. Hepatitis B vaccination is the safest and most effective practice to prevent this infection.
Following initial infection, most of the infected individuals do not exhibit any symptoms. However, some of the common symptoms are fever, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, stomach pain, joint pain, dark-colored urine, light-colored stool, and the yellowing of skin and eyes. An Hepatitis B Surface Antigen (HBsAg), Rapid Screening Test test helps to identify individuals infected with the virus and enables the doctor to start appropriate treatment. Early disease detection can prevent complications resulting from the infection and further virus transmission. This test also helps distinguish HBV infection from other forms of hepatitis.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends testing people who may be at an increased risk of infection, have come in contact with an already infected person, or show the specified symptoms. HBsAg is a protein on the surface of HBV that can be detected in high levels in serum during acute or chronic HBV infection. The presence of HBsAg indicates that the person is infectious. Continued persistence of HBsAg may be seen in chronic carriers as well as patients with chronic hepatitis B.
Usually, no special preparation is needed for this test. You may eat and drink as per your daily routine. Talk to your doctor about your specific test results. Narrate your complete medical history to help them correlate your clinical and laboratory findings. The test results will help the doctor determine your medical condition and formulate an overall treatment plan.
What is Hepatitis B Surface Antigen (HBsAg), Rapid Screening Test used for?
An Hepatitis B Surface Antigen (HBsAg), Rapid Screening Test test is done to:
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Screen for hepatitis B infection if an individual has been exposed to HBV or has symptoms associated with liver disease.
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Screen the patients infected with hepatitis C infection if they have risk factors for developing an HBV infection.
What does Hepatitis B Surface Antigen (HBsAg), Rapid Screening Test measure?
An Hepatitis B Surface Antigen (HBsAg), Rapid Screening Test is a rapid screening test. An Hepatitis B Surface Antigen (HBsAg), Rapid Screening Test test helps screen for the presence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) in a suspected individual. HBsAg is the first serological marker to appear in the blood ( within 1 to 10 weeks) after recent exposure to HBV. Persistence of this marker for more than 6 months implies chronic (long-term) HBV infection which may lead to liver damage (scarring or cirrhosis). A person who has a chronic infection is capable of spreading the infection to healthy individuals, even if they do not show or experience any symptoms. The diagnosis of any reactive HBsAg result relies on additional supplemental tests like anti-HBs antibody and total anti-HBc antibodies. Confirmation can be done using nucleic acid tests like HBV DNA by PCR.
Interpreting Hepatitis B Surface Antigen (HBsAg), Rapid Screening Test results
Interpretations
A "Reactive" or "Positive" HBsAg test result means that the person is infected with Hepatitis B virus. If a person tests “positive,” then further testing is required to determine if this is a new “acute” infection or a “chronic” Hepatitis B infection or chronic HBV carrier state.
A "Non-reactive" or "Negative" HBsAg test result means that the person is not infected with Hepatitis B virus.
Answers to Patient Concerns & Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Hepatitis B Surface Antigen (HBsAg), Rapid Screening Test
Frequently Asked Questions about Hepatitis B Surface Antigen (HBsAg), Rapid Screening Test
Q. Why do I need an Hepatitis B Surface Antigen (HBsAg), Rapid Screening Test test?
Q. How is an Hepatitis B Surface Antigen (HBsAg), Rapid Screening Test test performed?
Q. What are the symptoms of hepatitis B infection?
Q. Can hepatitis B spread through food or water?
Q. How is hepatitis B transmitted?
Q. How long is hepatitis B infectious?
Q. What additional tests will I need if my Hepatitis B Surface Antigen (HBsAg), Rapid Screening Test test result is positive?
Q. What are the different hepatitis B screening tests?
Q. How can hepatitis B be prevented?
Book a Hepatitis B Surface Antigen (HBsAg), Rapid Screening Test test at home near me
References
- Hepatitis B [Internet]. World Health Organization; 12 Jul. 2023 [Accessed 14 Jul. 2023]. Available from: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/hepatitis-b
- WHO Prequalification of In Vitro Diagnostics Public Report. WHO; Dec. 2017 [Accessed 12 Jul. 2023] Available from: https://extranet.who.int/pqweb/sites/default/files/171222_pq_final_report_pqdx_0219_012_00.pdf
- Hepatitis B [Internet]. CDC; 09 Mar. 2023 [Accessed 14 Jul. 2023]. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/hbv/index.htm#:~:text=Hepatitis%20B%20is%20a%20vaccine,someone%20who%20is%20not%20infected
- Song JE, Kim DY. Diagnosis of hepatitis B. Ann Transl Med. 2016 Sep;4(18):338. [Accessed 14 Jul. 2023]. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5066055/#r8
- Hepatitis B [Internet]. Healthdirect; July 2022 [Accessed 14 Jul. 2023]. Available from: https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/hepatitis-b
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