Hepatitis B Surface Antigen Test

Hepatitis B is a viral infection caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV), which primarily targets the liver and can lead to both acute and chronic disease. The virus is transmitted through contact with infected blood or bodily fluids, making common routes of transmission include sexual exposure, perinatal transmission from mother to child, and sharing needles or other sharp instruments. 

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 Surface Antigen, HBsAG: This test looks for specific proteins of HBV that signal a current hepatitis B infection

This test is a key component of diagnosing hepatitis B infections. This antigen is a protein found on the surface of HBV and serves as the earliest marker of active infection. When HBsAg is present in the blood, it indicates that the virus is replicating in the body and that the individual is infectious.

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. 

Testing for HBsAg plays a crucial role in clinical care, public health screening, and monitoring disease progression or treatment response. Identifying infection through HBsAg testing enables timely management, vaccination of exposed contacts, and interventions that reduce the risk of severe liver disease.

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:

• Negative Result: No sign of a current hepatitis B infection.
• Positive Result: The HBsAG was detected, indicating a current hepatitis B infection that requires prompt medical attention. (If HBsAg remains positive for more than 6 months, it suggests chronic hepatitis B.)

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.

Testing is also recommended for anyone experiencing symptoms such as:

• Fever
• Nausea or vomiting
• Abdominal discomfort
• Fatigue
• Diarrhea
• Jaundice (yellow skin or eyes, dark urine)
• Loss of appetite
• Pale or clay-colored stool
• Joint pain

Many people with hepatitis may have mild or no symptoms at all. That’s why proactive testing is key.

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