HBsAg, or Hepatitis B Surface Antigen test, is one of the common diagnostic procedures that doctors recommend for detecting the presence of any Hepatitis B antigens in the blood. Doctors prescribe this test for screening a specific virus that is responsible for causing hepatitis B condition or for specifying if you are already affected by the same.
HBsAg test is not an independent test but is conducted in accordance with various panels of tests, referred to as the hepatitis B panel test. With several tests, it is determined if there are any other hepatitis viruses present in your blood or not.
To help you better understand the depth of this test, read along this article till the end!
Understanding Hepatitis B as a Condition
For you to know, hepatitis B is a very serious infection caused by a specific virus that affects your liver. This virus potentially spreads when you come in contact with an infected person’s blood or body fluids. Most of the people who have encountered this condition showed no initial symptoms, for which they remain unaware of being infected.
If not contained, this condition might lead to several liver diseases, such as liver cancer or cirrhosis. Medical experts have categorised the hepatitis B virus into two types, which include:
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Acute Hepatitis B:
Acute hepatitis B is an infection that’s rated as a severe viral infection, which has a higher chance of damaging your liver. If your doctors suspect this condition, they will recommend that you take the HBsAg test right away.
The symptoms that indicate if you have acute hepatitis B condition include fever, dark urine, fatigue, abdominal pain, jaundice and others. Your doctor might also recommend you take the HBsAg test if they suspect you are exposed to this virus, either through the sharing of needles or unprotected sex.
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Chronic Hepatitis B:
Chronic hepatitis B is also a serious infection which might lead to liver damage, cancer or even death. HBsAg test is used to determine the presence of this virus within your blood. If the results are positive, doctors shall recommend you begin treatment right away.
The presence of HBsAg protein in your blood will adversely affect all your healthy cells. This protein is produced by the hepatitis B virus and needs to be contained with immediate effect.
What is the HBsAg Test?
HBsAg test is part of a panel or group of tests, ideal for screening the presence of hepatitis B infection. It will help you diagnose the chronic or acute hepatitis B virus. Doctors also recommend this test for people who are supposedly at risk of experiencing this condition anytime soon in their lives. For instance, people with HIV are also asked to take the HBsAg test!
There are other hepatitis B tests as well, such as HBsAB (surface antibody test) and HBCAb (hepatitis B core antibody test). The purpose of HBsAg and all the other tests is to determine if you are the virus carrier and get your condition treated right away.
The HBsAg test is performed on your collected blood sample, but it can also be done with your body fluid samples, such as semen, vaginal fluid or saliva. In case you have been in a blood transfusion situation anytime soon or have been exposed to someone else’s blood due to needle sharing, you must talk to your doctor and get this test done ASAP.
What’s the Procedure for Conducting an HBsAg Test?
The procedure for conducting this test is quite simple, just like any other blood test. A small amount of blood will be collected from the vein of your arm and will then be sent to the lab for detailed analysis. Your lab reports will be out within a week or earlier, depending on the promptness of the diagnostic centre.
At Agilus Diagnostics, we make sure to deliver the report, either to the doctor or the patient, within a day or two, depending on the severity of the condition and the quick treatment needs. We prioritise our tests accordingly!
The HBsAg test is quite important for almost everyone who is at some risk of experiencing the hepatitis B condition. With this test, there is a chance you will be able to catch the virus and treat it long before it can actually start showing symptoms.
Not just that, but this test can also determine if you have been affected by the hepatitis B virus in the past and your body has developed an immunity against it.
Interpreting the Results of the HBsAg Test
If you get an HBsAg positive as a result, it means you are definitely infected with the virus, and it might spread out to others. Once the results are out, you will be undergoing some other tests to determine the intensity of the damage that the virus has already done or find ways to cure it.
If the test results determine that you have an inactive infection, it means you aren’t contagious at the moment. But you might still be carrying the virus that can turn active anytime again. If further tests upon being HBsAg positive determine you have a chronic infection, it means that the virus has been in your body for more than six months and can now lead to severe liver problems.
Some of the additional tests that you might have to undergo after being detected as HBsAg positive are hepatitis B viral load test, AST (aspartate aminotransferase) and others.
Also Read: Hepatitis B or Surface Antigen Test Symptoms and Results
Conclusion
With the HBsAg test, doctors can now help cure your hepatitis B condition, but only if it gets detected as soon as possible. So, if you feel any uneasy symptoms, do connect with your doctor right away! With this test, you will also be able to monitor if the vaccination is working well against the virus in your body or not.
Even the blood donors are screened with this test to ensure infected blood doesn’t get transfused to any healthy patient. Irrespective of the cause or the motive behind performing the HBsAg test, you must get accurate results on priority. And that’s possible when you reach out to the best diagnostic centres available near you.
Agilus Diagnostics is your one-stop hub for all types of diagnostic tests, including HBsAg. Book your slot over our website, or get in touch for the same!
Agilus Diagnostics, a subsidiary of Fortis Healthcare Limited
