HBV

Hepatitis B Virus Blood Test measures the levels of Hepatitis B virus in the blood. This test helps to confirm the presence of Hepatitis B infection and assess the severity. This test is also performed during and after the treatment of Hepatitis B infection to evaluate the treatment response.

What is Hepatitis B Infection?

Hepatitis B infection is an infection of the liver caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). This is one type among the other types of viral hepatitis. This infection can spread from one person to another through contact with infected blood and body fluids. Common symptoms of this infection are dark urine, fatigue, fever, abdominal discomfort, weakness, loss of appetite, yellowing of eyes, joint and muscle pain. Symptoms usually appear about one to four months after the occurrence of infection.

Normally in most of the cases, this infection does not last for a long time. Your immune system fights it off within a few months. However, if you have it for more than six months, you are called a carrier. Mostly, adults may recover from this infection fully within a short period of time. Infants and children are more likely to develop a long-lasting infection.

What is Hepatitis B Virus (HBV)?

Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) is a partially double-stranded DNA virus that causes Hepatitis B infection. It belongs to the Hepadnavirus family. HBV contains an outer envelope and an inner core. The outer envelope contains a surface protein called the hepatitis B surface antigen or (HBsAg). The inner core is a protein shell known as the hepatitis B core antigen or (HBcAg). This antigen is consist of hepatitis B virus DNA and enzymes needed for the multiplication of the HBV.

The HBV enters the liver cell of the individuals and is transported into the nucleus of the liver cell. Once it reaches inside the nucleus, the viral DNA is released and replication starts. The virus starts multiplying in the liver cells and this leads to severe infection.

Why this test is performed?

This test is performed to confirm the HBV infection and assess the severity of the infection. This test is also recommended in individuals receiving treatment for Hepatitis B infection to monitor and evaluate the treatment response. This test evaluates the treatment response during and after the treatment. This test is correlated with other HBV tests and liver function tests to determine an appropriate treatment.

Precautions:

Contaminated blood samples may give false positive results. In such cases, it is recommended to do a new sample collection and repeat the test.

The test results may be vary depending on gender, age, health conditions, and stage of infection.

If the test results show high Hepatitis B virus blood levels than the normal range and signs of liver damage it may indicate that you are at an active stage of Hepatitis B infection (replicative) and need treatment.

In individuals receiving treatment for hepatitis infection, the presence of high HBV virus levels indicates a poor response to treatment. Presence of HBV in the blood after the treatment may indicate recurrence of the infection.

Undetectable or low HBV levels and no signs of liver damage, it may indicate that you are at an inactive stage of Hepatitis B infection (nonreplicative).

In individuals receiving treatment for hepatitis infection, if the blood sample does not contain Hepatitis B virus or significant low levels it may indicate a more likely or likely response to treatment.