This additional testing and interpretation of results can be obtained from Public Health England ( PHE) Colindale’s Blood Borne Virus Unit. antibody to hepatitis B e antigen(anti-HBe)Īdditional tests for hepatitis B include quantification of HBV DNA (often referred to as HBV viral load) and HBV core avidity testing. antibody to hepatitis B core antigen immunoglobulin M (anti-HBc IgM).antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs).total antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc total).Different serological “markers” or combination of markers are used to identify phases of HBV infection and to determine whether a patient has acute or chronic HBV infection, is immune to HBV as a result of prior infection or vaccination, or is susceptible to infection. Laboratory diagnosis of hepatitis B involves serological testing for several hepatitis B specific antigens and antibodies. The long term complications of chronic hepatitis B infection include cirrhosis and primary liver cancer. Progressive chronic infection is characterised by ongoing liver disease. Up to 10% of adults will develop chronic hepatitis B infection if the infection is acquired in adulthood. Chronic hepatitis B infection is more likely to develop if the infection is acquired in childhood. During chronic infection many people have no symptoms but will remain persistently infected and infectious to others. If the virus persists for greater than 6 months, the person has developed chronic (persistent) hepatitis B infection. Individuals are infectious to others and mortality during the acute phase of infection is estimated to be less than 1%. Children rarely develop acute symptomatic hepatitis B infection whereas up to a third of adults are symptomatic during this acute stage of infection. Symptoms during acute infection can include tiredness, abdominal pain, a ‘flu-like illness’, nausea, vomiting, joint pains, loss of appetite and jaundice. The incubation period from infection to the appearance of symptoms is around 12 weeks (range 40 to 160 days).Įxposure to the hepatitis B virus causes an acute infection. needle stick or other sharps injuries (in particular those sustained by hospital personnel).receipt of infectious blood (via transfusion) or infectious blood products (for example clotting factors) in countries where screening of blood donors and donations is not performed.horizontal transmission (non-sexual contact between individuals, for example, household contact with an infected person).vertical transmission (mother to baby) from an infectious mother to her unborn child.sharing or use of contaminated equipment during injecting drug use.The virus may be transmitted by contact with infected blood or body fluids contaminated by blood. The hepatitis B virus ( HBV) causes hepatitis (inflammation of the liver) and can also cause long term liver damage. Hepatitis B is a virus that replicates in the liver but is also present at very high levels in the blood of people who are infected.
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