Incubation period - 1-6 months.
HBsAg (hepatitis B surface antigen)
Occurs 2-6 weeks before onset of symptoms
If HBsAg detected, request HBcIgM (hepatitis B core IgM antibody - usually present at onset of symptoms).
Hepatitis B vaccination
Check HBsAb (Anti-HBs, hepatitis B surface antibody)
Timing: 4 weeks after 3rd vaccination
If negative, consider checking for HBsAg (hepatitis B surface antigen) carriage
Possible hepatitis B ‘carrier’ (chronic hepatitis B infection)
Check HBsAg
If HBsAg detected then check
- HBeAg and HBeAb (Anti-HBe)
- HBV DNA
Glossary:
| HBsAg |
Hepatitis B surface antigen; Indicates virus present (acute infection or chronic ‘carrier’ state |
| HBsAb/Anti-HBs |
Hepatitis B surface antibody; Immune to Hepatitis B, post-vaccination or post-infection |
| HBcIgM/Anti-HBcIgM |
Hepatitis B core IgM; Recent hepatitis B infection |
| HBcAb/Anti-HBc |
Hepatitis B core antibody; Past hepatitis B infection or chronic infection/’carrier’ if HBsAg + . (If recent infection suspected, request HBcIgM). |
| HBeAg |
Hepatitis B e antigen; Relatively more infectious |
| HBeAb/Anti-HBe |
Hepatitis B e antibody; Less infectious |
| HBV DNA |
Hepatitis B viral DNA; Marker of infectivity, used for planning and monitoring treatment |
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