United States Department of Veterans Affairs
United States Department of Veterans Affairs
National Hepatitis C Program
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Basics

What tests will you have to do?

Your doctor may ask you to do the following tests:

  • Hepatitis B surface antibody(Anti-HBs)
    If this test is positive, it means that
    • you have antibodies against hepatitis B and are safe from getting the disease
    • you were either vaccinated against hepatitis B or exposed to it at some point in your lifetime
  • Hepatitis B core antibody (Anti-HBc)
    If the test is positive, it means that
    • you have been exposed to hepatitis B and have developed an antibody to only part of the virus
    • they will do more tests to find out if you have the disease
  • Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)
    If this test is positive, it means that
    • you do have hepatitis B
    • you can spread the virus to others

  • Hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)
    If this test is positive, it means that
    • you have high levels of virus in your blood
    • you may be very contagious to others