Our Hepatitis B Surface Antigen Blood Test is for people who think they may have an active current infection of hepatitis B. It does not test for antibodies, so it will not tell you whether you have immunity to hepatitis B.

Hepatitis B is an infection caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV), which causes inflammation and enlargement of the liver. HBV infections can vary from a mild form that lasts a few weeks to a chronic form that can cause lasting liver damage. HBV is spread through contact with blood or other body fluids from an infected person. Exposure can occur through sharing needles or through unprotected sex. People who live in or travel to areas where HBV is prevalent are at greater risk. It is possible for pregnant women to pass the infection to their babies, usually during or after birth.

Hepatitis B Surface Antigen (HBsAg) can be detected in the blood on average around four weeks after exposure to HBV. HBV is a DNA virus that consists of a core particle and a surrounding envelope. The envelope of the virus contains the surface antigen (HBsAg). Therefore, our test looks for the presence of HBsAg to identify a hepatitis infection.

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