Hepatitis B Core Antibody Test, IgM

Hepatitis B is a viral infection caused by the Hepatitis B virus (HBV), which affects the liver. It can range from a short-term illness (acute infection) to a long-lasting condition (chronic infection). The virus spreads through contact with infected blood or bodily fluids, commonly through sexual contact, sharing needles, or from mother to baby during childbirth.

Many people with hepatitis B have no symptoms, especially early on. When symptoms do appear, they may include fatigue, fever, loss of appetite, nausea, abdominal pain, dark urine, or jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes). Early detection is important because untreated hepatitis B can lead to liver damage, cirrhosis, or liver cancer.

While many adults infected with HBV experience an acute, self-limited illness, others, especially infants and young children, may progress to chronic hepatitis B, increasing their risk for cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma.

What's In This Test:

• Hepatitis B Core Antibody, IgM: This test looks for specific antibodies of HBV that detect a recent or acute hepatitis B infection

What The Test Measures:

• IgM antibodies are the body's early immune response to HBV.
• The presence of IgM anti-HBc indicates that the infection likely occurred within the past 6 months.
• It may also be positive during a flare or reactivation of chronic hepatitis B.

Why This Test Matters:

Hepatitis B testing matters because it gives you clear, immediate insight into a highly contagious liver infection that often spreads unnoticed and can be mistaken for common illnesses. 

• It helps distinguish acute hepatitis B from chronic hepatitis B.
• It is often used alongside other hepatitis B tests (HBsAg, Anti-HBs, Total Anti-HBc) to understand the stage of infection.
• When the surface antigen (HBsAg) may disappear before protective antibodies appear, the IgM anti-HBc may be the only detectable marker, helping confirm active infection.

With early clarity, you can take the right steps to prevent further spread, support a smoother recovery, and make informed decisions about your overall liver health.

How Hepatitis B Spreads:

Hepatitis B spreads when blood or certain body fluids from an infected person enter another person’s body. Cases include some of the following;

• Sexual contact with an infected partner
• Sharing needles, syringes, or sharp personal items (razors, toothbrushes)
• Needlestick injuries or other blood-to-blood exposure
• Mother-to-child transmission during childbirth
• Contact with open cuts or sores of an infected person

Because the virus is so resilient and easily transmitted, knowing your status provides peace of mind and helps prevent further spread.

What Your Results May Indicate:

1. Positive (reactive): Suggests a recent/new hepatitis B infection or a flare-up of chronic/old hepatitis B infection.
2. Negative (nonreactive): Suggests no recent infection, though other hepatitis B markers may still be needed for full interpretation. (Need the Hepatitis B Surface Antigen test performed to confirm acute infection as that test looks for early-stage HBV antigens)

Who Is at Higher Risk?

While anyone can be infected, risk increases with certain behaviours or exposures.

CDC Screening Recommendations for Hepatitis B:

• People born in regions with high HBV rates
• Men who have sex with men
• People who inject drugs
• People with HIV
• Individuals needing immunosuppressive therapy
• Those with elevated liver enzymes
• People with end-stage renal disease
• Pregnant individuals

Why You Shouldn’t Wait To Test:

When hepatitis goes undiagnosed, the virus can continue damaging the liver without you realising it, often for years. Because many people have few or no symptoms, the infection can quietly progress and lead to serious health complications, including:

• Chronic liver inflammation: Ongoing inflammation gradually weakens the liver and reduces its ability to function properly.
• Liver scarring (cirrhosis): Long-term damage can lead to scar tissue replacing healthy liver tissue. Cirrhosis is irreversible and can cause significant health problems.
• Liver failure: As liver function declines, the body can no longer filter toxins, produce essential proteins, or support digestion, leading to life-threatening complications.
• Liver cancer: Chronic hepatitis significantly increases the risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma, the most common form of liver cancer.
• Serious health symptoms over time: Untreated hepatitis can eventually cause jaundice, abdominal swelling, confusion, bleeding disorders, and extreme fatigue as the liver deteriorates.
• Transmission to others: Without knowing your status, you may unintentionally put partners or household members at risk.

Delaying testing can leave you unsure about your health and unaware of a potential hepatitis infection that may already be affecting your liver. Because many people experience mild or no symptoms, waiting can allow silent damage to progress without your knowledge. Testing now provides clarity, helps protect your long-term liver health, and ensures you can take the right steps sooner rather than later. Early awareness empowers you to safeguard both yourself and those around you.

Who Should Consider This Test?

You may want to get tested if you believe you’ve been exposed to hepatitis, even if you feel completely well.

• People with a positive Hepatitis B Surface Antigen (HBsAg) to determine if the infection is acute or chronic
• Individuals with symptoms of acute hepatitis, such as:
  • Fatigue
  • Nausea/vomiting
  • Abdominal pain
  • Dark urine
  • Jaundice (yellowing of skin or eyes)
• People with recent high-risk exposure to HBV, including:
  • Unprotected sex with an HBV-positive partner
  • Sharing needles or drug equipment
  • Occupational exposure (e.g., needle-stick injury)
  • Recent exposure in household contacts
• Pregnant patients who test HBsAg-positive, to help assess stage of infection
• Individuals with unexplained elevated liver enzymes (ALT/AST) when acute hepatitis B is suspected
• Patients with known chronic hepatitis B who present with a sudden flare, as IgM may become positive during reactivation

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