Hepatitis B testing Los Angeles check for elements in the blood that show if a hepatitis B infection is active or has occurred in the past; the tests seek out various signs of infection or markers: Antigens are markers created by bacteria or viruses. So the existence of HBV antigens suggests that the virus is inside the body. Antibodies are proteins produced by the body to fight infection. The presence of HBV antibodies implies that you have been in contact with the hepatitis B virus at some time. But you could've been infected long ago and gotten better, or you may have a current infection. Genetic material or DNA of the hepatitis B virus shows that the virus is in the body. The amount of DNA can help determine how serious the infection is and how easily the HBV infection could be spread.

It's important to determine the kind of hepatitis virus causing infection to stop its spread and pick the proper treatment. HBV is passed on through infected body fluids, such as blood, semen, as well as vaginal fluids which include menstrual blood. It also could be transmitted from a pregnant woman to her child at or close to the time of birth. There are several different HBV tests. These are the HBV tests most typically done: Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) is the initial sign of an active hepatitis B infection. This antigen may be present before symptoms of an HBV infection are present. If this antigen is present for more than six months, then you most likely have a chronic (long-term) HBV infection. This means you could spread HBV to other people throughout your life.

Hepatitis B surface antibody (HBsAb) usually appears about 4 weeks after HBsAg disappears. The presence of this antibody means that the infection is at the end of its active stage and you cannot pass the virus to others. This antibody also protects you from getting HBV again in the future. The test is performed to ascertain the need for vaccination-the antibody is going to be present after obtaining the HBV vaccine series, showing that you've got protection or immunity from the virus. From time to time your test might show that you've got both the HBsAb antibodies and HBsAg antigen. In this case you are still contagious.

Hepatitis B e-antigen (HBeAg) is an HBV protein that is only present during an active HBV infection. This test will determine how infectious you are. Testing for this antigen could also be used to keep track of the effectiveness of treatment for HBV.

One other hepatitis B testing Los Angeles is HBV DNA testing checks for genetic material (DNA) from the hepatitis B virus; The HBV DNA tests measure how much genetic material is found. A high level of HBV DNA means that the virus is multiplying in your body and you are very contagious. If you've got a chronic HBV infection, an increased viral DNA level means you're at an increased risk for liver damage and may want to consider treatment with antiviral medicine. Testing for HBV DNA is also used to check the effectiveness of treatment for long-term or chronic HBV infection. HBV DNA testing is a more sensitive test than HBeAg for detecting HBV in the blood.