Sunday, February, 12, 2012

Hepatitis virus test or panel

Table of Contents

Alternative Names

Hepatitis A antibody test; Hepatitis B antibody test; Hepatitis C antibody test; Hepatitis D antibody test


Normal Values

A normal result means no hepatitis antibodies are found in the blood sample. This is called a negative result.

Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Talk to your doctor about the meaning of your specific test results.


What abnormal results mean

There are different tests for hepatitis A and B. A positive test is considered abnormal.

A positive test may mean:

  • You currently have a hepatitis infection. This may be a new infection (acute hepatitis), or it may be an infection that you have had for a long time ( chronic hepatitis).
  • You had a hepatitis infection in the past, but you no longer have the infection and cannot spread it to others.

Hepatitis A test results:

  • IgM anti-hepatitis A virus (HAV) antibodies -- you have had a recent infection with hepatitis A
  • Total (IgM and IgG) antibodies to hepatitis A -- you have a previous or past infection, or immunity to hepatitis A

Hepatitis B tests:

  • Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) -- you have an active hepatitis B infection, either recent or chronic
  • Antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (Anti-HBc) -- you have a recent or past hepatitis B infection
  • Antibody to HBsAg (Anti-HBs)
    • You have a past hepatitis B infection
    • You have received the hepatitis B vaccine and are unlikely to become infected
  • Hepatitis B type e antigen (HBeAg)
    • You have a chronic hepatitis B infection
    • You are more likely to spread the infection to others through sexual contact or by sharing needles

Antibodies to hepatitis C can usually be detected 4 - 10 weeks after the infection occurs. Other types of tests may be done to decide on treatment and monitor the hepatitis C infection.


Review Date: 12/13/2010
Reviewed By: George F. Longstreth, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program, San Diego, California. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)