Hepatitis B antigen blood test-TL

What is a Hepatitis B Antigen Blood Test?
A "positive" or "reactive" hepatitis B surface antigen test (HBsAg) means that the person is infected with hepatitis B. This test can detect the actual presence of the hepatitis B virus (called the “surface antigen”) in your 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. A positive HBsAg test result means that you are infected and can spread the hepatitis B virus to others through your blood.

Who Is The Blood Test For?
HBsAg (hepatitis B surface antigen) is the first serologic marker to appear in a new acute
infection, which can be detected as early as 1 week and as late as 9 weeks, with an averageof one month after exposure to the hepatitis B virus (HBV).
Biomarker:
• Hepatitis B Surface Antigen (HBsAg)

When To Take The Test
- HBsAg is detectable for a variable amount of time, along with the HBV DNA, though about 50% of persons will test HBsAg and HBV DNA negative 7 weeks after symptoms.
- All persons who spontaneously recover from an infection will test negative for HBsAg and negative for HBV DNA about 15 weeks after the appearance of symptoms.

Sample Draw/Type
• A venous blood sample taken by an experienced phlebotomist.
• Sample type: SST (Yellow top)