Hepatitis

Only one sample of blood is needed for a hepatitis B blood test with the “Hepatitis B Panel” that includes three parts. All three test results are needed to fully understand a person’s hepatitis B status**.

Below is an explanation of the 3-part “Hepatitis B Panel” of blood test results. 

1. HBsAg (Hepatitis B surface antigen) - A "positive" or "reactive" HBsAg test result indicates that a person is infected with hepatitis B. This test can detect the presence of the hepatitis B virus (called the “surface antigen”) in the blood. If a person tests “positive,” then further testing is needed to determine if this is a new “acute” infection or a “chronic” hepatitis B infection.

2. anti-HBs or HBsAb (Hepatitis B surface antibody) - A "positive" or "reactive" anti-HBs (or HBsAb) test result indicates that a person is protected against the hepatitis B virus. This protection can be the result of receiving the hepatitis B vaccine or successfully recovering from a past hepatitis B infection. A positive anti-HBs (or HBsAb) test result indicates that a person is “immune” and protected against the hepatitis B virus and cannot be infected.

3. anti-HBc or HBcAb total (Hepatitis B core antibody) - A "positive" or "reactive" anti-HBc (or HBcAb) test result indicates that a person has been exposed to the hepatitis B virus at some point during their life. A positive HBcAb test alone cannot tell if a person has a past or current hepatitis B infection. The core antibody does not provide any protection against the hepatitis B virus (unlike the surface antibody described above). This test can only be fully understood by knowing the results of the first two tests (HBsAg and anti-HBs). A positive anti-HBc (or HBcAb) test result requires talking to a knowledgeable health care provider for a complete explanation of your hepatitis B status.