Hepatitis B markers explained
| Marker | What it means when POSITIVE |
|---|---|
| HBsAg (surface antigen) | Active hepatitis B infection (acute or chronic) |
| HBsAb / anti-HBs (surface antibody) | Immune — from vaccination or past infection |
| HBcAb / anti-HBc IgM (core antibody IgM) | Recent / acute hepatitis B infection |
| HBcAb / anti-HBc IgG (core antibody IgG) | Past infection (recovered) or current infection |
| HBeAg (e antigen) | High viral replication — highly infectious |
| HBeAb / anti-HBe (e antibody) | Lower viral activity (seroconversion — good sign) |
| HBV DNA (viral load) | Amount of virus — guides treatment decisions |
Interpreting hepatitis B result patterns
Common result combinations
HBsAg negative, HBsAb positive: Immune — from vaccination or past cleared infection. No action needed. | HBsAg positive, HBeAg positive, high HBV DNA: Active replication — highly infectious, needs treatment consideration. | HBsAg positive, HBeAb positive, low HBV DNA: Inactive carrier state — lower infectivity, regular monitoring. | All negative: Susceptible — no immunity. Vaccination recommended.
Who should be tested for hepatitis B?
- People born in regions with high HBV prevalence (Asia, Africa, Eastern Europe)
- Household contacts or sexual partners of HBsAg-positive people
- People with multiple sexual partners
- Healthcare workers
- People with HIV or hepatitis C
- Pregnant women (all should be screened)
Questions to ask your doctor
- Am I infected, immune, or susceptible?
- Do I need the hepatitis B vaccine?
- If I have chronic HBV, do I need antiviral treatment?
- Do I need regular liver ultrasound and AFP for liver cancer surveillance?
Medical Disclaimer: For educational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment.