Hepatitis B, caused by hepatitis B virus (HBV), is a severe to life-threatening infection of the liver that can be acute or chronic. HBV is one of the five categories of hepatitis that includes A, B, C, D, and E. The likelihood of a person suffering from chronic hepatitis B to develop liver cancer, liver failure or cirrhosis (permanent scarring of the liver) is high. However, with early diagnosis and the right treatment, patients can recover completely.
Although hepatitis B vaccine can prevent you from HBV infection, if you already have this condition, there’s no cure. If your doctor suspects that you’ve HBV infection, he/she will perform a Hepatitis B Surface Antigen (HBsAg) Test to determine whether his/her assumption is right or not. We, at Agilus Diagnostics, offer a wide range of blood tests and other examinations that will not put a dent in your pocket, while keeping you healthy and fit.
What is an HBsAg Test?
HBsAg is a blood test for active or chronic hepatitis B diagnosis. A reactive or positive result for the HBsAg test, along with the presence of specific antibodies, infers that the person is suffering from hepatitis B infection. An HBV infected person can spread the disease through his/her bodily fluids and blood.
What are the signs and symptoms of hepatitis B?
In most cases, the signs and symptoms of HBV infection either go unnoticed or appear after the infection has occurred. The symptoms of hepatitis B include the following –
- Yellowing of eyes and skin (jaundice)
- Yellowish or dark urine
- Nausea and vomiting
- Extreme fatigue
- Abdominal pain
- Joint pain
- Loss of appetite
- Fever
How hepatitis B is transmitted and the causes:
Before we move on to the causes of hepatitis B, let’s find out how HBV is transmitted. Because how it spreads are the reasons why HBV infection occurs. HBV spreads from one person to another through bodily fluids like semen, blood, saliva, etc.
The common causes of HBV infection are as under –
- Sexual contact – Having unprotected intercourse with a HBV positive partner is one of the most common causes of HBV
- Needle sharing – Another common reason behind the transfer of HBV fromone person to another is coming in contact with contaminated syringes and needles. Sharing an injecting paraphernalia of an infected person can also be very unsafe.
- From pregnant mother to her child – If a woman is pregnant and is HBsAg positive, there are high possibilities that she can pass on the HBV to her child. However, vaccination can protect newborn babies from the infection. Therefore, you should consult your obstetrician-gynecologist whether or not you should take the HBsAg test when you are pregnant or planning for the same.
How is the test for Active or Chronic Hepatitis B done?
At Agilus Diagnostics, the lab technicians will need your blood sample (only one) to perform the hepatitis B test. The Hepatitis B Panel of blood examination comprises three parts. These three tests together decide whether or not a person has got HBV infection. It includes – HBsAg, anti-HBs or HBsAb, and anti-HBc or HBcAb.
The full-form of anti-HBs/ HBsAb, and anti-HBc/HBcAb is hepatitis B surface antibody and hepatitis B core antibody, respectively.
If HBsAg is negative or non-reactive, the value is less than 1 s/c. However, if this value exceeds 5 s/c, HBsAg is positive or reactive.
If the anti-HBs/ HBsAb test result is positive, it indicates that you do not have HBV infection, and you are immune to the virus.
And, if the anti-HBc/HBcAb test result is positive, it infers an existing or previous Hepatitis B infection. The anti-HBc/HBcAb does not make you immune to the disease. It helps the doctor to understand the status of hepatitis B virus in your body.
Also Read – All You Need to Know About Hepatitis A
HBsAg Test cost
The HBsAg Test cost is Rs.1,300 at Agilus Diagnostic which is affordable. You can book HBsAg Test at home online with nearest Agilus centre. And, being a NABL accredited lab, with us, you are in safe hands.
Agilus Diagnostics, a subsidiary of Fortis Healthcare Limited
