Table of contents:
- What is the anti HBs test?
- What if the anti HBs test is positive?
- What does it mean when the test result is negative?
- Side effects of the anti-HBs test
Hepatitis B is an infectious liver disease that is quite common in developing countries, including Indonesia. If you are worried but not sure if you have hepatitis B, make sure to consult your doctor for a diagnosis through an anti-HBs test.
What is the anti HBs test?
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is easily transmitted through the exchange of blood, saliva, semen and vaginal fluids during unprotected sex. However, you can do tests to find out whether you have HBV or not.
Basically the hepatitis B test consists of various kinds. If you consult a doctor about this infectious hepatitis, the doctor may ask you to undergo a blood test called the HBsAG test.
If the HBsAg test is positive, it means that your body is a host for the hepatitis B virus (HBV). It is possible that the virus can spread to other people.
When compared with HBsAg, the anti-HBs test is part of a series of blood tests to diagnose hepatitis B. Anti HBs has an extension hepatitis B surface antibody(HBsAb).
The HBsAb test is a follow-up examination after the HBsAG test is performed. This aims to observe how the immune system works against the HBV virus.
Just like blood tests in general, medical personnel will take a blood sample which will be analyzed in the laboratory. You can undergo this test at a clinic, health center, health laboratory, or hospital.
What if the anti HBs test is positive?
The main purpose of the anti-HBs test is to confirm an early diagnosis of hepatitis B. This test also helps doctors see if the immune system is producing antibodies to fight the hepatitis virus.
These antibodies are produced naturally by the body after being stimulated by getting a vaccine. The hepatitis B vaccine is made from the inactivated HBV virus. When it enters the body, the immune system will recognize it as a foreign substance and form antibodies to fight it.
That is why, when the active HBV virus enters the body at a later date, the immune system will immediately kill it because it already knows how to fight it. These antibodies also function to keep the body from recurring hepatitis B virus infection.
This means that a positive anti-HBs test means that you may have previously received the hepatitis B vaccine. The vaccine's effect is usually strong enough to protect the body from exposure to viral infections.
In addition, the reactive anti-HBs results also make it possible for you to be recovering from acute hepatitis B.
What does it mean when the test result is negative?
If the anti HBs test shows negative results, you need to be vigilant. The reason is, this indicates that you have never received a hepatitis B vaccination. However, it is not necessarily a sign of hepatitis B infection.
The doctor will usually ask you to undergo a series of other tests to determine whether you really have hepatitis B.
If other hepatitis B tests come back negative, you are likely not infected with HBV or in an early stage of infection. You may be advised to get the hepatitis B vaccine to avoid HBV infection.
Meanwhile, when other hepatitis B tests are reactive, it could be that you recently had an active infection or have chronic hepatitis B.
If this happens, the doctor will recommend a number of hepatitis B treatments. This aims to reduce the risk of complications, such as cirrhosis of the liver to liver cancer.
Side effects of the anti-HBs test
The anti-HBs test is actually safe, doesn't cause any serious side effects, and gets better after a few days. Generally, after the blood sample is taken, you may experience some side effects such as:
- pain and small bruising at the injection site,
- a throbbing sensation at the injection site, as well
- mild headache.
It would be a good idea to inform medical personnel about all medications being taken and your medical history. This includes vitamins, herbs, and supplements.
If you have further questions, please consult your doctor to get the right solution.
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