Hepatitis virus test or panel

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Blood test

Hepatitis B virus

Erythema multiforme, circular lesions - hands

Overview

Risks

Results

Hepatitis virus test or panel

Alternative Names:

Hepatitis A antibody test; Hepatitis B antibody test; Hepatitis C antibody test; Hepatitis D antibody test
Normal Values:

No presence of antibodies (a negative test) is normal.

What abnormal results mean:

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Serology (blood) tests have been developed to detect the presence of antibodies to each of the hepatitis viruses. IgM antibodies appear 3 to 4 weeks after exposure and usually return to normal in about 8 weeks. IgG antibodies appear about 2 weeks after the IgM antibodies start to increase. These IgGantibodies may persist forever.

If the IgM antibody is elevated in the absence of IgG antibody, acute hepatitis is suspected. If IgG antibody is increased, but not IgM antibody, a convalescent or chronic state is likely.

Positive tests may indicate:

Hepatitis A (results may show active infection or recovery from a prior infection)
Hepatitis B (results may show recovery from prior infection, or immunity from Hep B vaccine -- both indicate immunity to the disease)
Hepatitis C (results may show that the patient is a chronic carrier of this disease)
chronic Hepatitis B or Hepatitis B carrier state
Hepatitis D, when found in conjunction with Hepatitis B

Additional conditions under which the test may be performed: