An HBsAg blood test is an important test that most of us make sense to have from time to time. It confirms or refutes the presence in the blood of antibodies to the hepatitis B virus, one of the most insidious infectious diseases of our time.

HBsAg - what is it?

The word “hepatitis” itself means an inflammatory disease of the liver. It occurs for several reasons. Among them are viruses that enter the body in various ways. The most common and dangerous pathogens of this disease include the hepatitis B virus, which the World Health Organization recognizes as a global problem for the population of the entire globe.

It is important to know!
Hepatitis B in the chronic stage in 20-30% of cases leads to the development of cirrhosis of the liver or cancer of the gland in patients.

The disease begins from the moment the virus enters the bloodstream: this occurs due to unprotected intercourse, the use of non-sterile medical instruments or hygiene items (toothbrush, comb, razor) of a sick person. The hepatitis B virus is DNA surrounded by a protein capsule called a capisdom. The latter is responsible for the process of introducing the virus into the cells of the human body. The capsid proteins have been named HBsAg (abbreviation for hepatitis B surface antigen), HBcAg (hepatitis B core antigen), and HBeAg (hepatitis B capsular antigen). By their presence in the patient's blood, it can be assumed that a person is infected with a virus, so the analysis for the presence of these antigens, and primarily HBsAg, is a standard method for diagnosing hepatitis B.

The advantage of this analysis is that the HBs antigen is determined in human blood as early as 4–5 weeks after infection, while the incubation period for hepatitis B is up to six months. Thus, timely diagnosis allows starting treatment long before the first manifestations of the disease, minimizing damage to the patient's liver and preventing further spread of the infection.

When is an HBsAg determination necessary?

Hepatitis B can be contracted by anyone who has not been vaccinated against the disease. Therefore, checking blood for HBsAg at least once every few years is useful for all unvaccinated people, even if there are no apparent reasons for concern.

medical workers;
pregnant women (hepatitis B is almost always transmitted to the child from an infected mother);
children born to women carriers of the virus;
people with symptoms or laboratory evidence of any disease of the liver and biliary tract;
patients referred for hospitalization or surgery;
blood and organ donors;
family members of patients with hepatitis B;
people with chronic diseases who frequently use medical devices that come into contact with blood (for example, patients with kidney failure who regularly undergo hemodialysis);
drug addicts;
people who are about to get vaccinated against hepatitis B.

Warning signs to check for hepatitis: unexplained fever, insomnia, prolonged indigestion, jaundice and pruritus, joint pain and rash, feeling of heaviness or pain in the right hypochondrium.

It is important to know!
The hepatitis B virus is incredibly resilient. It is resistant to boiling and freezing, and at room temperature it is stored in a dried drop of blood, on a razor or in a used syringe for up to several weeks. It can be destroyed only with the help of special sterilizing substances or by prolonged heating. Even in people who have been treated for hepatitis B, the virus remains in the blood for the rest of their lives in most cases. Therefore, it is important to get tested for HBsAg whenever transmission is suspected.

It is very difficult to "catch" a virus in a person's blood. Therefore, doctors use the so-called infection markers, which include HbsAg. In response to its appearance, the body's immune system produces special substances - antibodies that fit foreign proteins like a key to a lock. Many tests for hepatitis B are based on the principle of this interaction: a small amount of blood, which is taken from the patient's vein on an empty stomach, is added to a dye reagent containing ready-made antibodies to HbsAg. And if an antigen is present in the analysis, then the laboratory assistant will see a change in the color of the sample (this type of research is called ELISA, or enzyme immunoassay).

There are two types of blood tests for the carriage of the Hbs antigen: qualitative and quantitative. The first one is the most common. It is used to obtain an unambiguous answer about whether a person has hepatitis B antigens in the blood. Quantitative analysis allows you to determine the concentration of a foreign protein in the human body. This indicator is necessary to determine the stage of the disease and evaluate the effectiveness of treatment. Preparation of HbsAg test results takes from several minutes to one day, depending on the reagents used and the speed of the laboratory.

In the case when the analysis turns out to be positive, the doctors immediately conduct a duplicate study, so as not to be mistaken with the conclusions in any case. Sometimes a second test does not confirm the reliability of the first result: this can happen due to the individual characteristics of a person's immunity. Then the patient is given a conclusion: "the result is repeatedly positive, unconfirmed." This means that after some time the analysis must be repeated, and using a different laboratory method.

Norm of antigen in the blood

Fortunately, most people who have a qualitative HbsAg test have a negative test result. Usually this is enough to remove the suspicion of hepatitis B infection. Therefore, people who are being tested for the first time or whose results of all previous tests were negative are prescribed a qualitative analysis - it is faster, cheaper and easier to perform.

But if his results were positive and in cases where a sick person is already being treated for hepatitis B, the doctor gives a direction for quantitative HbsAg. During such diagnostics, the laboratory confirms the presence of the virus in the human body and indicates the concentration of antigens in the patient's blood.

The unit of measurement in this case is the number of international units per milliliter of blood (IU / ml). If the quantitative analysis shows less than 0.05 IU / ml, the result is considered negative. This may indicate a person's recovery, the transition of the disease to a latent form, an error in the first, qualitative, test, or, in rare cases, a fulminant course of hepatitis B (while the symptoms of the disease are obvious).

If a person's blood contains more than 0.05 IU / ml of the antigen, the result of the analysis is considered positive (it is also rechecked using a confirmatory test). By comparing the values obtained with the previous quantitative blood test for Hbs antigen, the doctor concludes how the disease proceeds and whether the prescribed treatment is working.

HBsAg "positive"

A positive HBsAg test is always a reason to see a doctor. Only after examining the patient, the specialist concludes whether the person is a carrier of hepatitis B (when the infection does not manifest itself, but the virus can be transmitted to other people) or whether the disease is in an acute or chronic stage. In the event that the laboratory issued a “repeated positive unconfirmed” result, the doctor will help to understand the reasons for this phenomenon.

A positive test result for hepatitis B is not a death sentence. But such news cannot be ignored either. If you took the test on your own initiative or as part of a physical examination, sign up for a consultation with a local therapist (or a pediatrician if HBs antibodies are detected in a child). If necessary, he will refer you to an infectious disease specialist.

The treatment plan for hepatitis B depends on the stage of the disease. In the presence of severe symptoms, the patient will be offered hospitalization, but usually therapy takes place on an outpatient basis. Unfortunately, it is not always possible to destroy the virus, so patients for many years must take drugs that suppress the reproduction of the pathogen in the body and maintain liver health.

HBsAg not detected: what does it mean?

A negative HBsAg test result indicates that there is no hepatitis B virus in the blood. But if you are or have recently been diagnosed or treated with products containing mouse antibodies or heparin, the test results may be skewed. In this case (if it is important for you to get information about a possible infection), consult your doctor about when is the best time to do a second analysis.

A successful outcome of the diagnosis is a good reason to think about the prevention of hepatitis B. The most reliable method of protection against this virus, according to WHO, is vaccination. It is recommended to absolutely all healthy people without contraindications to vaccinations.

In addition to the vaccine, simple rules will help prevent infection:

use only disposable syringes at home, and undergo diagnostic, cosmetic and treatment procedures only in trusted medical centers and companies licensed to provide the corresponding type of service;
refrain from casual sex and always use a condom if you are not sure that your partner is healthy;
if you accidentally get blood from a stranger, be sure to take a shower and change clothes (and also get tested for HBsAg after 4-6 weeks);
take extra care at home if someone in your family has hepatitis B or is a carrier of the infection.

Where can I get an HBsAg test?

HBsAg tests are done in both public and private laboratories. In the first case, we are talking about a check-up on the basis of a polyclinic, a hospital or a specialized medical center - there, diagnostics are usually carried out as directed by a doctor, free of charge if there is a compulsory medical insurance policy. The advantages of private laboratories include the ability to get results faster, and, if desired, to be examined anonymously.

However, only a few companies can boast such high diagnostic accuracy. One of these is an independent network of laboratories "INVITRO". Its employees use test systems from the world's leading manufacturers for analysis, and the results of the studies carried out here are recognized by all medical institutions in Russia. 700 INVITRO offices serve patients in more than 300 cities of our country, in Ukraine, Belarus and Kazakhstan. The company serves about 19 thousand people daily.

It is possible to check blood for HBs antigen on weekdays and weekends, having received an answer the very next day (and if express diagnostics is necessary, after 2 hours), and the form with the results does not have to be taken from the laboratory, it can, at the request of the client, send by e-mail or tell by phone. The high level of INVITRO work quality ensures the reliability of the analysis, which is extremely important in the diagnosis of viral hepatitis B.

Wednesday, 03/28/2018

Editorial opinion

According to Russian laws, any laboratory is obliged to report all positive results of qualitative and quantitative tests for the HBs antigen to the State Sanitary and Epidemiological Supervision Service, which, in turn, reports the identification of an infected person to a doctor in a polyclinic at the place of residence. It is possible to get tested for hepatitis B anonymously, but such a test cannot be used to receive treatment or hospitalization.

So, a strange designation HBsAg appeared in the medical card. What does this mean? And the fact that the patient was infected with the hepatitis B virus (in acute or chronic form). This disease is formed due to the presence in the body of a DNA-containing virus, which is transmitted from one person to another mainly through the blood (during transfusion, drug addiction or sexual contact), but other methods of infection are possible. The virus may not manifest itself in any way for a month, or even six months. If the treatment of the disease is very difficult, then there is a possibility of developing cirrhosis of the liver.

HBsAg - what is it?

So, in general terms, figured it out. And more precisely, HBsAg - what is it? This designation is He is a lipoprotein and is part of the lipoprotein shell of the hepatitis B virus. It was discovered by B. Blumberg in 1963. So if HBsAg is found in you (what is this, if not an alarm signal?) - immediately undergo an examination and in no case delay with it. HBsAg determines the ability of the virus to stay in the body for a long time, to thermal stability, etc.

Usually HBsAg is detected in the body in acute hepatitis and in the last two weeks (or in the first month - six months after the onset of the disease). After the detection of HBsAg in most patients during treatment, this antigen decreases within three months, until it disappears completely. If HBsAg is detected after six months of the course of the disease, then this indicates the transition of hepatitis B to a chronic form.

HBsAg (blood test) - what is it?

Such an analysis is the main method that is used to detect hepatitis B in the human body. The analysis allows you to find out the amount of antigen in the blood. When the body resists the disease, antibodies are also released - anti-HBs. two components allows you to determine at what stage the development of the disease is.

A blood test for the detection of the HBsAg antigen allows you to detect hepatitis B at the earliest stages of its development. In addition to the very beginning of the development of the disease, in rare cases, HBsAg can settle in the human body for life.

We decipher the result of the analyzes

If after donating blood it turned out that HBsAg is positive - what does this mean? In this case, it may turn out that you, unfortunately, fell ill with an acute or chronic form of hepatitis B. There is another option, but not more rosy - you are a carrier of asymptomatic hepatitis B. However, even with a negative test result, everything can be much more complicated. In one case, you may simply not be infected with hepatitis B. This is a pleasant turn of events. Or you can simply go through a recovery period (if you previously had an acute form of the disease). In rare cases, there can be a very unpleasant denouement: both hepatitis I and hepatitis D can “settle” in your body at the same time. Therefore, they often prescribe a second test to make sure the diagnosis is correct.

Be that as it may, at the slightest suspicion that you have HBsAg, contact your doctor immediately. Vigilance never hurt anyone.

Serological methods occupy an important place in the diagnosis of many human diseases. First of all, these are infectious diseases. A special position among them is occupied by viruses, which in recent decades have become the most common pathogens. Many government medical programs are aimed at identifying them, including testing for markers of hepatitis B. The most famous of them is the Australian antigen (HBsAg). The correct interpretation of this analysis helps in the diagnosis and monitoring of the incidence of hepatitis B.

What is Australian antigen

The hepatitis B virus has a certain set of protein components that are located in different parts of it. They are called antigens. That part of the antigens that are located on the surface of each viral particle is called the surface or HBsAg antigen. We can say that it acts as a kind of visiting card of this pathogen. Only its detection by immune cells causes the first cascade of immune reactions aimed at neutralizing the virus.

It turns out that when the hepatitis B virus enters the bloodstream and enters the liver, it begins its active reproduction with the participation of the DNA of the liver cells. At this time, it is impossible to detect the Australian antigen, because its concentration is very low. The isolated new viral particles are released into the blood, which leads to an increase in the amount of HBs Ag, which can already be detected using some serological diagnostic methods. After some time, corresponding specific antibodies are produced against these antigenic structures alien to the body. They are called anti-HBs antibodies. Determination of the specific type of these immunoglobulins (class M or G), as well as their titer in the blood, is used in the diagnosis of hepatitis B in different phases of its course.

Analysis sampling and methods for its implementation

There are two main methods to determine the presence of the Australian antigen in the blood: express diagnostics and laboratory serological methods. The first can be carried out at home, the second - exclusively in a specialized laboratory. The material for research using a special one-time rapid test can be blood obtained from a finger (capillary blood). Anyone can purchase such test reagents for diagnosing hepatitis B at the pharmacy network.

A laboratory study is more accurate and specific than express diagnostics, but its technical implementation requires special reagents and installations.

Two methods of HBsAg serodiagnosis are mainly used: RIA (radioimmunoassay) and RFA (fluorescent antibody reaction). For their implementation, blood is necessarily collected from a vein, since only its liquid part, plasma, is needed for serological diagnostic methods. It is obtained after centrifugation and settling of the blood sample taken for analysis.

Express Diagnostics

The determination of HBsAg in the blood using special test kits for the rapid diagnosis of hepatitis B at home belongs to the methods of qualitative detection. This means that the method can roughly indicate whether or not the Australian antigen is present in the blood. It does not provide information about its quantitative characteristics and credits. If its result is the detection of HBsAg, the person must be sent for a specialized examination in the form of laboratory serodiagnosis.

But the express diagnostic method should be given its due, since it very quickly and reliably makes it possible to determine typical cases of hepatitis B infection. For its implementation, a kit purchased at a pharmacy is used. Nothing additional is required, since it includes everything necessary to perform the diagnostic procedure.

First, one of the fingers is treated with an alcohol solution and the skin is dried. With the help of a lancet or a scarifier, it is pierced. For testing, two or three drops of blood obtained from a puncture are sufficient. It is applied to the porous surface of the test strip. Direct touch of the finger to the strip is unacceptable, as it can lead to a distortion of the result. The blood strip is left for one minute, after which it is lowered into the container that is included in the kit. This is necessary in order to blot the test strip into the buffer solution, which is introduced into the container in the amount of three to four drops and left in this position for 10-15 minutes. After this time, an evaluation of the results obtained can be carried out.

Viral hepatitis B rapid diagnostic kit

Serological laboratory diagnostics

The method has been used for a very long time and is characterized by high specificity and reliability. With its help, HBsAg can be determined already from 3-5 weeks from the moment the virus enters the bloodstream. Usually, the Australian antigen circulates in the blood for about 3 months after the onset of the disease. But there are cases of lifelong carriage of the antigen or healthy carriage of the virus. Serological diagnosis is also available for the detection of appropriate anti-HBs antibodies. They appear with the recovery of the patient (3-4 weeks after the disappearance of the antigen). Their concentration constantly increases and persists for life, which provides stable long-term immunity against the virus that causes hepatitis. This is very important for determining the resistance of the organism after vaccination or a full recovery.

For analysis, venous blood is needed, which is obtained by puncturing one of the cubital veins. Blood sampling technique and preparation is typical for all analyses. The main condition is that the analysis is carried out exclusively on an empty stomach. The study requires 5 to 10 ml of blood. It takes one day to get the result.

Indications

The main indication for a blood test for the presence of HBsAg is the desire of a person to undergo it. This does not need special reasons and reasons, since the prevalence of hepatitis B is so wide that the study can already be screening. Must be examined:

Women during pregnancy: registration at the antenatal clinic and in the prenatal period;
All medical workers, especially those who have a direct connection with the blood of patients (manipulation nurses, paramedics, surgeons, gynecologists, etc.);
Persons who are to undergo surgery;
Hepatitis of any form and cirrhosis of the liver;
Patients with a chronic form of viral hepatitis B or healthy carriers of the virus and antigen.

Interpretation of the results

When conducting express diagnostics, the following results can be obtained:

The presence after the test of only one control strip. Such a result is considered negative, which means that HBsAg is not detected and the person is healthy;
The presence of two signal bands on the reagent. It speaks of the presence of the Australian antigen in the blood and the connection of a person with viral hepatitis B. In this case, an additional examination is necessary;
The presence after the test of one strip, but only a test one. React is not valid. The test must be repeated.

When conducting serological diagnostics, the results are:

HBsAg-not detected (negative). This is the norm, and means that a person does not have hepatitis B;
HBsAg positive. This means that the subject's body is either infected with an actively multiplying hepatitis B virus, or he is a healthy carrier of the antigen, or has been ill with this disease. To obtain more detailed information about the state of antiviral immunity and the activity of the virus, additional serological studies and decoding of other markers of this disease are being carried out;
False positive and false negative results. Sometimes it can be obtained even with serological diagnosis and is associated with blood sampling after a hearty breakfast or up to 4 weeks from the moment of infection, laboratory errors and reagents.

Video about hepatitis B:

A blood test for the presence of HBsAg cannot be called a specific method for diagnosing viral hepatitis B, which provides comprehensive information about this disease. But it is an excellent way to determine the relationship of the virus to a particular organism and to detect the problem in a timely manner.

The causative agent of hepatitis B is a 42 nm DNA virus that is transmitted from a sick person to a healthy person, most often through the blood.

During the study, it was found that it is not capable of reproduction after moving it to a specially prepared cell culture. However, a method has been studied to clone the virus in bacteria and yeast. It was he who made it possible to isolate and study the antibodies in the body to hepatitis B that occur after infection. Human venous blood is taken for analysis for antibodies. The subject is advised not to smoke for at least 30 minutes before taking the material.

HBsAg antigen and Anti-HBs antibodies to it

It has been established that the outer shell of the virus includes a protein called the HBsAg antigen (Australian antigen). The antigen ensures the viability of the virus, allowing it to stay in the human body for a long time. It also provides resistance to enzymes, heat and synthetic surfactants.

HBsAg is released when the disease develops acutely. It usually begins to accumulate in the last two weeks of the incubation period and continues to stay there from one month to six months from the onset of the disease. After about three months, its concentration is reduced to zero.

If it persists for a longer time, this indicates the transition of the disease to a chronic form.

However, the detection of HBsAg in a healthy person during a routine examination does not indicate 100% presence of the disease. In this case, this analysis must be confirmed by other tests for the presence of hepatitis B.

Surface antigen of the hepatitis B virus and decoding of tests for its detection

After the tests are completed, they need to be decrypted. The home express method will allow you to see if there is a hepatitis B virus in the blood or not, but will not give an accurate picture of the disease. If the surface antigen of the hepatitis B virus was detected by a laboratory method, the doctor will see the quantitative composition of the antigen and the antibody titer.

Thus, it is possible to say at what stage the disease is, whether the infection is primary or whether an exacerbation of the chronic form of hepatitis has occurred.

Express test transcript. There are two strips on the test: test and control. If one control band appeared, then the hepatitis B virus was not detected. Two developed strips indicate the presence of HBsAg in the blood, which means that we can say that a person has hepatitis B. If only a test strip is visible, then the test is ruined.

Deciphering the results of a laboratory study. If the hepatitis B surface antigen test is negative, then the person is not sick. In the case of a positive result, the quantitative composition of HBsAg is indicated. The result can be interpreted as false positive or false negative. This is possible due to a violation of the order of taking the analysis and research technology, as well as if the reagents are of poor quality.

A positive result can be deciphered by a doctor in several ways:

carriage (a person is not sick, but there is a virus in his body);
HBV goes through an incubation stage;
disease in the acute stage or recurrence of the chronic form.

In addition to the surface antigen of the hepatitis B virus, other markers of viral infection are also analyzed. Each of them completes the overall picture.

Other markers of hepatitis B:

HBeAg - indicates high HBV activity. This is the core protein of the virus. An increase in the amount of this marker indicates the rapid multiplication of viral agents. An HBeAg test is very important before delivery in women with hepatitis. Thanks to him, the doctor determines the degree of risk of infection of the child at the time of delivery.
HBcAg - are found only in liver cells with high virus activity. In the blood, antibodies to this marker can be detected. The marker can be detected only with exacerbation of the chronic form of the disease.

There is another way to detect a viral infection of the liver by detecting antibodies in the blood: HBs and HBc. The analyzes also take into account which antigens and antibodies are reactive or non-reactive. A doctor can give a detailed description of the disease only if there is a complete examination of the patient.

Laboratory blood tests are the basis of diagnosis and are required for medical examinations. There are general studies and those aimed at identifying a specific disease or antigen. What is an HBsAg blood test? The study is aimed at identifying antigen cells to the hepatitis B virus. Statistics say that every third inhabitant of the planet is infected with this disease or is its carrier.

specific marker

In a biological sample, antigen cells can be detected 3-6 weeks after infection. Testing a blood sample for HBsAg antigen and testing for HCV help identify hepatitis B and C. The hepatitis B virus is a dangerous disease that, if left untreated, can develop into a chronic condition.

Looking in the direction of the study, the patient thinks about HBsAg and what is it? The abbreviation stands for "Hepatitis B surface Antigen" or the surface antigen of the hepatitis B virus. At the same time, HBsAg is part of this virus, and is used in diagnostics as a marker that determines the presence of the disease in a patient's biological sample. Also, these antigens, when ingested, provoke the production of antibodies against the virus. Therefore, HBsAg is used in the production of hepatitis B vaccines.

When is an analysis ordered?

Because of the frequent outbreaks of hepatitis, so-called “screening” is carried out in some regions. When undergoing a medical examination, each patient is sent for an HBsAg analysis and the antigen can be detected in a timely manner. In some cases, the Australian antigen is found in healthy unvaccinated patients. For 1.5-2 months, a healthy body is quite capable of coping with this disease, and a person may not suspect that he has had hepatitis B.

The danger lies in the appearance of concomitant pathologies, such as cirrhosis or liver cancer.

An HBsAg blood test is required in some cases. You can also conduct a study on your own initiative by contacting a therapist for a referral. Often with HBsAg antigen, a blood sample is tested for HCV or Anti-HCV to detect hepatitis C in a patient.

Employees of medical institutions are required to take HBsAg tests when applying for a job. The test is repeated annually. The examination of employees working with blood samples (laboratory assistants of biochemical laboratories, nurses, surgeons, dentists, etc.) is especially carefully carried out. Analysis can be carried out more frequently during epidemics.
Employees of special institutions (boarding schools, orphanages, etc.) undergo the same medical examination as employees of medical institutions, including for HBsAg.
Before surgery or blood donation, a blood test for HBsAg is performed.
If liver pathologies or cirrhosis are detected, the doctor also prescribes an analysis for the Australian antigen.
Exceeding the norm of the concentration of liver enzymes as a result of a biochemical blood test.
Identified venereal diseases, drug addiction with intravenous administration of substances.
When registering pregnant women, a blood sample is tested for HBsAg. Repeated research should be done in the third trimester of pregnancy.
If a woman in labor has hepatitis, newborns are also examined for hepatitis B. The doctor determines the frequency of examinations.
When a virus is detected in one of the family members or an outbreak of the disease at school, at work, etc., an analysis is prescribed. All who have been in contact with the patient are subject to examination.
The detection of characteristic symptoms of hepatitis is an indication for the appointment of a study (yellowness of the skin, nausea, vomiting, etc.).

Conducting an analysis

For research, a blood sample from a vein is used. The test should be taken on an empty stomach, after 3-6 weeks from the moment of possible infection. Blood for HBsAg is examined in the laboratory using serological analysis, which is based on the reaction of antigens and antibodies. Depending on the equipment of the laboratory, enzyme immunoassay (ELISA) or radiological immunoassay (RIA) can be performed.

In an ELISA, a patient's blood sample is mixed with a staining enzyme and antibodies. If the patient has HBsAg antigens in the blood, the solution is stained. This is a qualitative study. For ELISA, radionuclides are used, which, when in contact with HBsAg, emit radiation. The intensity of radiation is measured by a special device. The higher the obtained indicator, the more HBsAg cells are present in the biological material under study.

A qualitative test indicates the presence or absence of antigen cells in the blood. If a blood test reveals a positive reaction to HBsAg, an additional study is carried out - a quantitative analysis. This test determines the DNA of the virus by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The result of the study can determine whether the patient is a carrier of the virus or his condition requires immediate treatment. For vaccinated patients, the presence of some HBsAg antigens is normal.

Research results

HBsAg is not the only indicator that can be selected for research. If hepatitis and other liver diseases are suspected, a biochemical study is prescribed. The interpretation of the analysis should be carried out by a qualified doctor. The conclusion about the state of health of the patient should be made taking into account all the factors that could affect the result of the study. A negative result indicates that no HBsAg virus has been detected because the body does not produce the appropriate antibodies. The patient has not been vaccinated against the hepatitis virus and is not a carrier of the disease.

A positive test result indicates that HBsAg is present in the blood.

If the analysis was qualitative, an additional quantitative test is assigned.

Positive test results are observed when the hepatitis B virus is actively multiplying inside the body, in which case the patient is sick and immediate treatment is required.
The patient is a "healthy" carrier of HBsAg cells.
The patient has already been ill with this disease.
Positive results are typical for patients vaccinated against hepatitis B.
The result is recognized as false positive (false negative) if errors were made during blood donation. A heavy breakfast before donating blood from a vein or improper storage of a blood sample can distort the result of the study.

Express Diagnostics

You can also test for HBsAg at home. A rapid test available in pharmacies allows you to independently conduct a study. The kit includes all the necessary elements for express diagnostics.

The sequence of actions when conducting an independent analysis:

Unpack the diagnostic kit, wash your hands.
Wipe your finger with alcohol.
Make a puncture with a special scarifier.
Place 2-3 drops of blood on the test strip. During the procedure, it is impossible to touch the strip or drip other reagents on it.
Place the test strip in a special container from the kit and add the required amount of solution.
After 15 minutes, the result of the study will be ready.

One control strip will indicate that there are no HBsAg antigen cells in the patient's blood, which means that the patient is healthy. Two control lines mean that HBsAg antigens are present in the blood sample. In this case, it is necessary to donate blood in the laboratory and conduct a serological test. It is possible that the test is invalid, as indicated by only one test strip. The study should be repeated.

The results of analyzes carried out in the laboratory are more accurate and reliable than the home rapid test. The result of independent research is not recognized by institutions and organizations. To undergo a full examination, you should consult a doctor and get a referral for a laboratory blood test.

Medical diagnostics makes extensive use of HCV and HBsAg blood tests, which increases the chances of detecting the disease in time and starting treatment. This study is usually recommended for travelers, athletes and tourists, as outbreaks of hepatitis are common in hot countries with a high percentage of poor people. If you need to travel abroad frequently, you should consult your doctor about getting vaccinated against hepatitis B.

Hepatitis B is one of the most dangerous infectious diseases that a modern person leading a socially active life is at risk of facing. The vaccines developed by physicians, with the help of which the disease is prevented, are valid for a limited period of time - they do not initiate the appearance of vaccine-caused hepatitis B, but only supply the corresponding antigen to the body. The service life of such a vaccine is from 5 to 7 years, after which the person must either be revaccinated or increase the level of anti-HBs antibodies in another way. For this, modern doctors use an analysis for anti-HBs.

What is an anti-HBs blood test?

A blood test for the presence of anti-HBs antibodies is carried out both for healthy people in the period before and after vaccination, and for infected patients during the so-called "window" phase. During it, there is a mass extinction of HBsAg surface antigens, the presence of which is the main resulting factor indicating the presence of infection. The anti-HBs blood test was invented to track the levels of antibodies that indicate the body's fight against hepatitis. Tracking anti-HBs levels is incredibly important for people who have experienced acute hepatitis B—a steady rise in anti-HBs indicates a good prognosis for the course of the disease and possible recovery, while a decrease in anti-HBs to the point of being undetectable indicates that that the body is seriously weakened and can no longer fight on its own. What's more, some patients have lifelong anti-HBs circulation, requiring regular visits to their doctor and blood tests for antibodies.

What do the results of the analysis say?

Based on the information obtained after deciphering the anti-HBs analysis, a picture of further treatment is built and predictions are made about the nature of the course of the disease. There are two main resulting factors - the level of anti-HBs antibodies and HBsAg. An increase in anti-HBs and a decrease in the amount of HBsAg indicate that the disease is gradually receding and the person is on the mend. If anti-HBs and HBsAg are detected simultaneously in approximately the same amounts, an unfavorable prognosis of the disease occurs - this is a signal for the doctor, indicating the need to increase the intensity of treatment to avoid possible complications.

Why else do you need to monitor anti-HBs and HBsAg levels?

Unfortunately, the complications caused by the acute form of hepatitis B can persist even after the disease disappears and haunt a person for life. Hepatitis B is a systemic disease. This means that a person suffering from hepatitis is subjected to a complex attack on various organs and systems of the body. In this case, regular testing is necessary - the search for anti-HBs will give accurate information about the status of the disease. In addition, monitoring of HBsAg is also important - in a healthy person, the presence of this surface antigen indicates the possible occurrence of carcinoma or cirrhosis of the liver.

Blood testing for anti-HBs is of critical importance in modern medicine. Due to the peculiarities of vaccination, the fight against hepatitis B - especially with its acute form - proceeds quite haphazardly and relies heavily on chance. Timely analysis allows not only to predict the course of the disease, but also to prevent its development in the early stages, saving a person from the severe phase of acute hepatitis B. At the same time, the cost of the analysis is quite democratic, which is a decisive factor for people at risk. They can afford regular screening and prophylaxis to protect the life and health of the patient from hepatitis B.

Hepatitis B has been and remains one of the most important global health problems. An estimated 350 million people are affected by the disease.

It is expressed in the mass death of hepatocytes (liver cells) against the background of the inflammatory process and the subsequent development of liver failure.

Infection occurs due to contact with the biological fluids of an infected person - blood, saliva, urine, bile, etc. When the virus enters, the body synthesizes special protein compounds - antibodies to hepatitis B. The study of antibodies (markers) allows not only to establish a diagnosis, but also to understand the degree of complexity of the disease, to evaluate the effectiveness of its treatment.

To fight viruses in response to antigens, the immune system produces antibodies that are individual for each disease. They are special proteins, the action of which is aimed at protecting the body from the causative agent of the disease.

If hepatitis B antibodies are found in the blood, then, depending on their type, this may indicate:

about the patient's illness in the initial stages (before the first external signs appear);
about the disease at the stage of attenuation;
about the chronic course of hepatitis B;
about liver damage due to disease;
about the immunity formed after recovery;
about a healthy carriage (the patient himself is not sick, but contagious).

Antibodies in the blood do not always indicate the presence of hepatitis B or a previously treated disease. Their production is also a consequence of the vaccination.

In addition, the detection of markers may be associated with:

disorders of the immune system (including the progression of autoimmune diseases);
malignant tumors in the body;
other infectious diseases.

Such results are called false positives, since the presence of antibodies is not accompanied by the development of hepatitis B.

Antibodies are produced to the virus and its elements (antigens). Based on this, they distinguish:

anti-HBs surface antibodies (to HBsAg antigens that form the viral envelope);
nuclear anti-HBc antibodies (to the HBc antigen located in the nuclear protein of the virus).

Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg, anti-HBs)

The HBsAg surface antigen is part of the hepatitis B virus as a component of the capsid (envelope). It has amazing durability.

Retains its properties even in acidic and alkaline environments, tolerates treatment with phenol and formalin, freezing and boiling. It is he who ensures the penetration of HBV into liver cells and its further production.

The antigen enters the bloodstream even before the first manifestations of the disease and is detected by analysis 2-5 weeks after infection. Anti-HBsAg antibodies are called anti-HBs.

They play a leading role in HBV immunity. A quantitative blood test for antibodies is carried out in order to control the formation of immunity after vaccination. The antigen is not registered in the blood.

Hepatitis B core antigen (HBcAg, anti-HBc)

The HBcAg antigen is a constituent of nuclear proteins. It is found during a biopsy of the liver tissue, it is not present in the blood in a free form. Since the very procedure for testing this antigen of the hepatitis B virus is quite laborious, it is rarely carried out.

The following anti-HBc antibodies are detected:

Normally, IgM is absent in the blood. They appear during the acute phase of the disease. Circulate in the blood for 2 to 5 months. In the future, IgM is replaced by IgG, which can be in the blood for many years.

What does it mean if hepatitis B antibodies are found in the blood?

Anti-HBs in the blood reflects a positive trend. They appear:

during recovery and the formation of immunity in the patient (HBsAg is absent in this case);
are found in recovered patients who remain carriers of the virus (hepatitis B antigen HBsAg is not detected);
are registered in some people who have undergone a transfusion of blood or its components from an antibody carrier.

If the hepatitis B surface antigen in the blood sample is positive, then it can be concluded that:

acute course of the disease (gradual increase in blood levels, HBcAg, Anti-HBc are also detected);
chronic course (hepatitis B virus s antigen has a stable high level for more than 6 months, HBcAg, Anti-HBc is also present);
healthy carriage (combined with Anti-HBc);
in young children, maternal antigens may be detected in the blood.

The simultaneous disappearance of the HBsAg antigen and the manifestation of anti-HBs antibodies is a good sign. Their simultaneous presence indicates an unfavorable prognosis of the disease.

Positive nuclear IgM antibodies to hepatitis B are found in liver damage in the icteric and preicteric stages. The patient is extremely contagious to others.

The presence of anti-HBc IgM in combination with HBsAg indicates an acute course of the disease.

The disappearance of IgM indicates the attenuation of the disease and the recovery of the patient. The IgG that appears then persists for a long period after recovery. IgG is an indicator that occurs with the development of persistent immunity to a disease or its transition to a chronic form.

Table. What does the detection (+) or non-detection (-) of hepatitis B antibodies and antigens indicate.

Name	In an infected person	Normal in a healthy person
ANTIBODIES
Anti-HBs	+ (favorable prognosis)	+ (previous disease, vaccination)/ -
Anti-HBc IgM	+ (stage of exacerbation, the patient is highly contagious) / - (chronic course of the disease)	-
Anti-HBc IgG	+ (chronic course of the disease) / - (stage of exacerbation)	+ (persistent immunity)/-
Anti-HBc	+ (favorable prognosis)/ -	+ (persistent immunity)/ -
ANTIGENS
HBsAg	+	-
HBcAg	+ (acute or chronic course)	-

What if the hepatitis B surface antigen is positive?

The surface antigen of the hepatitis B virus found in the blood is not a cause for panic. First of all, research is always carried out in a complex manner.

Consideration of the sample for only one marker does not give clear and accurate results.

If the diagnosis is confirmed by a combination of indicators in the patient's blood, then appropriate therapy is prescribed.

Modern medicine is able to cure a person quickly enough.

In 95-98 percent of cases in adults, the disease goes away without a trace. In children, hepatitis is more difficult to treat, often becomes chronic. Vaccination is recommended to prevent the disease. You can find out about the danger of hepatitis B for others.

The production of the vaccine is based on the latest genetic engineering technologies. Transformed yeast strains of hansenula polymorpha are recombinant producers of hepatitis B antigen. Their use makes it possible not to use blood components when creating a vaccine and ensures high safety.

Useful video

General information about hepatitis B, presented simply and structured, can be found in the following video:

Conclusion

Hepatitis B is a dangerous disease. When an adult is infected, it rarely becomes chronic.
To identify in the early stages, studies on markers are used. They are able to give the most complete information about the stage of development of the disease and the patient's condition.
Safe sex, sterilization of medical and dental instruments, careful hygiene of manicure and hairdressing accessories will be an excellent prevention of infection.
If there is an increased risk of infection, a vaccine is recommended.

Hepatitis B is one of the most complex viral diseases that can be transmitted through blood or sexual intercourse. It is characterized by different forms of its course and ways of development, therefore, for diagnosis in this case, it is necessary to donate blood for HBsAg in a timely manner.

HBsAg blood test - what is it?

HBs Ag are special protein components (antigens) of the hepatitis virus that are found in its various parts. The HBs score is an early marker for determining a person's susceptibility to such a disease or detecting the presence of hepatitis B.

If, during the bearing of a child, a woman’s blood test for HBsAg showed a positive reaction, then after the birth of a child, the same analysis must be carried out. It is not at all necessary that this virus can pass from the mother to the child. However, it should be noted that there is a fairly high risk that a pregnant woman can still transmit the virus to her baby during childbirth.

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An HBs blood test can determine if a patient has an acute or chronic form of hepatitis B. For example, when the HBs antigen stays in the blood for more than six months, we can talk about the presence of signs of chronic hepatitis in the body.

Once in the bloodstream, the virus is transferred to the liver and actively multiplies there. During this period, it is not possible to diagnose HBsAg, since the number of antigens at this stage is minimal. Gradually, the viruses begin to release their particles into the bloodstream, the concentration of HBsAg increases, which makes it possible to detect their presence by conducting an appropriate blood test.

Causes of hepatitis antigen

To date, there is no consensus about the exact reasons that contribute to the appearance of viral hepatitis. Often people, without any signs of the disease, become carriers of the pathogen and a potential threat to others, because they can infect them with this disease. It can be said for sure that with a positive HBsAg test in a pregnant woman, the chance of giving birth to a healthy baby is only 1:10, that is, children become carriers of the virus.

A blood test for the HBs antigen makes it possible to accurately determine the degree of progression of a dangerous disease. Sometimes a positive result can be obtained in carriers of AIDS or in patients who are undergoing serious treatment for other complex diseases. The fact is that in such people the work of the immune system goes astray, so it may not respond correctly to amino acid molecules and to HBsAg.

Observations have shown that the carriers of the HBs antigen are more often men than women. But the reasons for this phenomenon have not yet been studied.

Everyone can be at risk and become a carrier of the hepatitis B virus. Some people are more susceptible to the virus, others are less. An HBsAg blood test does not indicate the presence of a disease, but only states that a person is a carrier of the virus. Such a picture can be observed for years, and in some cases last a lifetime. Carriers of the causative agent of hepatitis B are prohibited from becoming donors. They are registered and systematically take an HBsAg blood test. In the modern world, there is still no accurate and confirmed knowledge about why people become carriers of hepatitis and how to counter it.

Indications for HBsAg testing

The main indication for a blood test should be a person's desire to check their health status, since the hepatitis B virus has a fairly high percentage of its distribution.

Mandatory analysis must be carried out:

Pregnant women when they are registered for consultation and before childbirth.
All workers in the medical field and mainly those who have direct contact with blood (nurses, gynecologists, surgeons).
Patients scheduled for surgery.
Patients with cirrhosis of the liver and diseases of the biliary tract.
People with all forms of hepatitis.

Conducting an analysis

There are no special features in preparing for a blood test for hepatitis B. A sufficient condition is considered: before the analysis, do not eat for about 10-12 hours.

To diagnose the presence of the HBs antigen in the blood, there are two main methods:

express diagnostics;
serological diagnosis.

Express diagnostics can be carried out independently (without the help of a doctor) at home, serological testing is exclusively the prerogative of laboratories.

Research in the laboratory gives a more accurate description of the picture of the course of the disease. Laboratory diagnostics requires special equipment and reagents.

Express Diagnostics

A rapid test outside the laboratory can show if HBsAg exists in the body. For a quick method, you can purchase special test reagents at a pharmacy and, using capillary blood, perform diagnostics at home. It does not give a numerical and qualitative characteristics of antigens. If the test is positive, the person must be additionally examined in the laboratory.

For such an analysis, it is allowed to use a special kit purchased at a pharmacy, which includes all the necessary components for diagnosis.

The sequence of actions for express diagnostics includes the following procedures:

Clean your finger with alcohol and let it dry.
Pierce your finger with a lancet or scarifier.
Take 2-3 drops of blood and put on the test strip.
Do not touch the strip with your finger, so as not to affect the result of the analysis.
After 1 minute, lower the strip into a container from the kit, into which 3-4 drops of buffer solution are added.
You can evaluate the result of the HBsAg analysis in 10-15 minutes.

To date, there are 2 methods of serological examination of HBsAg:

RIA (radioimmunoassay);
RFA (fluorescent antibody reaction).

The material for taking for analysis is human venous blood, or more precisely, its plasma, which is taken as a result of processing in a centrifuge.

Serology has been used for a long time and is characterized by particular specificity and high accuracy. It helps to determine the presence of HBsAg as early as 21 days after the virus enters the body. Serological analysis can detect certain anti-HBs antibodies, which, in turn, occur several weeks after the patient's recovery. The number of these formations continuously increases and is saved at the same time for life. A person gradually develops a stable immunity against hepatitis.

A blood test for HBs antigen is only the first step in investigating the development of hepatitis B. A positive HBsAg result from 0.01 ng per ml to 500 µg per ml indicates that the patient has types of hepatitis B virus such as:

hidden form or carriage;
incubation period;
acute form of the disease;
chronic form of the disease.

Viral hepatitis is a category of infectious diseases that affect liver cells. The most common among all types of hepatitis is hepatitis B. Despite all the attempts of doctors to strengthen preventive measures against this disease, statistics show that the number of people who have taken an HBsAg blood test and received a positive result remains quite large.

Definition and interpretation of analysis results

The express method can present the following indicators for analysis:

One control line indicates a negative result, i.e. the person is healthy.
Two signal strips indicate the presence of HBs antigen. The person is either a carrier or has hepatitis. This result requires further investigation.
The presence of only one test strip indicates that the test is invalid. It is necessary to repeat the diagnosis again.

Deciphering a serological study implies 2 alternative options, namely:

HBsAg blood test is negative. This is the norm and suggests that the person is not a carrier of the disease.
HBsAg positive. The investigated patient is a carrier of the virus antigen. To get a more detailed picture of immunity against the virus and the activity of the HBs antigen, other markers of the disease in question are examined and deciphered.

In some situations, a serological test may give a false result, which may be due to the fact that the test was carried out after eating or before 4 weeks after the virus entered the bloodstream. Only a specialist in this field can decipher the obtained indicators.

Viral hepatitis B is considered one of the most dangerous and widespread infectious lesions of the human liver, which threatens with a fatal outcome, which is why detection and prevention is a priority for modern medicine. Among the serological markers that determine hepatitis B at an early stage, the Australian antigen (HBsAg) occupies the main place. Read more about what the Australian antigen is and how it is transmitted in this article.

What is HBsAg

Hepatitis B antibodies and vaccination

The penetration of the virus into the body forms a human immunological complex, and antibodies to hepatitis B (anti-HBs) begin to be intensively produced. Thanks to this, its own immunity is formed, which protects the body from re-penetration of the viral agent. Hepatitis B vaccination is also based on this principle, since vaccines contain either dead or genetically modified HBs antigens, which are not capable of leading to the development of infection, but are sufficient to develop immunity to the disease. The formation of antibodies to hepatitis B begins about 2 weeks after the vaccine is given. The injection is carried out intramuscularly. The optimal amount of antibodies produced by the immune system after vaccination is considered to be their concentration in the blood above 100 mIU / ml. An unsatisfactory result of vaccination and a weak immune response are recognized as antibody values from 10 mIU / ml, a repeated administration of the vaccine is prescribed.

Planned triple vaccination is carried out for newborns, with the introduction of the first vaccine within a day after birth. This early administration is aimed at minimizing the risk of perinatal infection, since in most cases of infection of the newborn with HBsAg antigen, he develops chronic hepatitis B.

The sad consequences of chronic hepatitis in infancy can occur in decades, and the vaccine is a preventive measure for a child not only from acute, but also from chronic hepatitis B.

Diagnostics

To detect the Australian antigen in the blood, 2 types of studies are used: a rapid test and serological diagnostic methods.

Anyone can conduct an express test on their own at home, and blood for the detection of serological markers is given strictly in laboratories. For the first type, capillary blood taken from a finger is enough, and for laboratory analysis, blood is taken from a vein.

Express method for determining the HBs antigen in the blood

How to conduct express diagnostics at home:

Treat the ring finger with alcohol and leave to dry.
Prick your finger with a scarifier.
Take a few drops of the released blood and apply to the test strip without touching the strip with your finger.
Wait a minute and lower the strip into the container. Then add a few drops of a special solution to it. The container and solution are included in the express diagnostic kit.
Check the result after 15 minutes.a

What are the results of the express test:

Normal - only 1 control line is visible. Means that the person is healthy, the Australian antigen is not found.
2 stripes are visible - this is a signal that the HBs antigen has been detected, hepatitis B may be present. In this case, it is urgent to carry out to confirm the diagnosis and determine the correct therapy.

Serological diagnosis

Marker diagnostics includes two types of studies:

enzyme immunoassay (ELISA);
Fluorescent antibody reaction (RFA).

Serological methods are distinguished by their informativeness and reliability, since they not only detect the HBsAg antigen in the blood, but also show its amount, which makes it possible to determine the form and stage of viral hepatitis B. This method also allows you to detect antibodies to the virus, the presence of which indicates the development of immunity to pathology.

Deciphering the results of serological diagnostics:

Normal - the result is negative, the HBs antigen was not detected.
Positive result - HBsAg detected. This indicates that a person has some form of hepatitis B, or that he is a healthy carrier.
HBs antibodies are detected - this means that a person has been vaccinated, or he has recently had hepatitis B.

Also keep in mind that the results can be false positive or false negative, depending on a number of factors. Therefore, with a positive result of the analysis for the presence of an antigen, there is no need to panic, you should urgently undergo an additional examination and laboratory tests.

As additional studies to determine the activity of the pathological process and assess the degree of damage to the liver tissue, the patient can be assigned: ultrasound, biochemical blood test, puncture biopsy.

How is the Australian antigen transmitted?

The routes of transmission of the HBsAg antigen are as follows:

Transfusion of blood and its components, transplantation of an infected organ.
Perinatal route of infection - the virus is transmitted from an infected mother to a child in utero, during childbirth, and also in the postnatal period.
Non-compliance with the rules of hygiene: the use of someone else's toothbrush, washcloths for bathing, razors, handkerchiefs. This also includes visits to beauty salons, hairdressers, and tattoo parlors, where they use the same tools for everyone.
Sexual - the HBs antigen is transmitted to a partner through semen during sexual contact with an infected person.
Non-compliance with the rules for the use of vaccines by medical workers during mass immunization of the population.
Intravenous injections of psychotropic substances by drug addicts through shared syringes.

Who is at risk for infection with the HBs antigen

Persons who are required to take a blood test for the Australian antigen must:

Pregnant women - the analysis is carried out upon registration in the antenatal clinic, and before childbirth.
Medical workers, in particular those who are constantly in contact with blood: surgeons, obstetrician-gynecologists, dentists, nurses.
Healthy carriers of HBs, as well as patients with chronic hepatitis B.
Patients suffering from cirrhosis of the liver or hepatitis, or persons who are suspected of having these diseases;
Patients undergoing surgery.
Drug addicts.
Blood donors, the analysis is carried out before its delivery.

The Australian antigen test can also be taken by anyone, if hepatitis B is suspected, as well as in the number of screening examinations.

Disease prevention treatment

In the acute form of hepatitis B, treatment is prescribed in the form of complex therapy, which includes effective antiviral agents, based on the nature of the clinical symptoms. To remove poisons and toxins accumulated due to liver damage due to pathology, the patient is prescribed droppers. To prevent the destruction of the liver structure due to hepatitis B, the patient is also prescribed hepatoprotectors. All treatment is carried out in combination with vitamin preparations to support the patient's immune system.

Therapy for chronic hepatitis is determined only by a hepatologist, depending on the course of the disease. During outbreaks of an exacerbation, the patient is prescribed antiviral drugs, for example, alpha-interferon and lamivudine, which suppress the activity of the virus.

Patients with a chronic form of the disease are also shown a special diet, which will have to be observed during the year.

Some rules that will help in the prevention of infection with the Australian antigen:

Strictly observe personal hygiene, use only your own hygiene products.
Medical personnel: observe safety rules for surgical procedures, vaccination of the population.
Avoid promiscuity.
Do not use narcotic and psychotropic substances.
Do not refuse vaccinations, because this is the most reliable way to protect against the virus for 15 years.

HBV (HBV) infection, otherwise known as hepatitis B, is considered one of the most common viral diseases worldwide. According to WHO, more than 200 million people are carriers of this viral agent. About 2 million patients a year die from a dangerous virus.

Therefore, early diagnosis of liver disease is extremely important for recovery from hepatitis. Among the markers of the virus, the HBsAg antigen is isolated, which helps to identify the disease in time and prescribe the appropriate treatment.

And what is HBsAg, what methods it is detected and how the results of the analyzes are deciphered, we will consider in this article.

The abbreviation HBsAg is the Australian antigen, which is part of the shell of the viral agent that causes liver disease - hepatitis B. It is called Australian because this antigen was first identified in Australia.

The outer shell of HBV consists of a combination of different proteins, each of which performs its own function. HBsAg ensures the absorption of the viral agent by liver cells and adsorption of the virus on the surface of hepatocytes. The antigen exists in the form of different structures, as a particle of the capsid of the virus and as formations that are synthesized by the cells of the infected liver. HBsAg in the bloodstream is always higher than virions (the virus itself).

Like any antigen, HBsAg forms an antigen-antibody response complex of the immune system, that is, it contributes to the creation of specific body immunity in response to an infection. Serological identification of microorganisms helps to identify this complex. HBsAg is the very first antigen that can be detected after infection. Therefore, answering the question of what HBsAg is, one can say not only about part of the virus envelope, but also about the marker (indicator) of the virus in the human body.

HBV is hepatropic and the only one among other viruses that infect the liver, which contains DNA. Its activity in the body is low, but under certain conditions it can increase significantly. This is regulated by age, personal hygiene conditions, the epidemiological situation and the individual susceptibility of a person.

How HBV is transmitted:

sexual relations in any form (sexual way);
through items for individual use (household way);
through the blood: tattoos, piercings, non-sterile syringes, etc. (parenteral route);
from mother to child during childbirth and breastfeeding (vertical route).

Hepatitis B is rarely transmitted in utero because the virus is too large to cross the placental barrier.

Hepatitis B pathogenesis. The incubation period of the disease has a long period, which averages two months. Before the onset of acute symptoms, there is an intermediate phase called the prodrome.

During this period, body temperature may slightly increase, appetite may decrease, the digestive tract may be disturbed (loose stools, nausea), and skin rashes may appear. Similar symptoms last from 2 days to 1 month, then the acute phase of the disease begins.

The beginning of the acute course of the disease is the yellowness of the skin and whites of the eyes. During the period of jaundice, disturbances in the work of the gastrointestinal tract become more pronounced. In general, the severity of the disease is individual and does not depend on the concept of the acute phase.

The time interval of pathological processes at this stage of the disease is up to six months. Then the patient either recovers, or the disease becomes chronic. The consequences if left untreated are severe - hepatitis D, cirrhosis of the liver, carcinoma (liver cancer).

The pathogenesis of HBV can be represented by the following chain:

liver infection;
reproduction of viruses, pushing them to the surface of hepatocytes;
entry of particles and virions into the blood;
immunological reactions;
damage to organs and systems;
the formation of immunity;
recovery.

The earlier HBV is detected, the sooner you can start treatment, and the less complications from a dangerous disease. The HBsAg antigen is detected in two main ways: rapid diagnostics and serological research method.

The first way is easy to carry out at home with the help of a special device - a rapid test. The second method is more accurate and is carried out exclusively in the clinic, as it requires laboratory equipment.

HBsAg antigen and methods for its diagnosis

The most dangerous complication of hepatitis B is considered acute liver failure, which often ends in death. Therefore, any person can be interested in the diagnosis of this disease.

Tests for HBsAg hepatitis are mandatory for the following groups of people:

Pregnant women at the time of registration for pregnancy and immediately before the birth of a child (the analysis is included in the screening).
Persons who, through their professional activities, come into contact with the blood of people (medical staff, laboratory assistants, and others).
In the presence of any form of hepatitis.
Patients who need surgery.
People with other liver diseases: cirrhosis or disorders in the biliary tract.

Hepatitis HBsAg is detected by a blood test. Depending on the method, blood is taken from a vein (laboratory tests) or a finger (home test). Let's consider each method in more detail.

Express diagnostics. For home research, a rapid test is used, which resembles a pregnancy test. Immunochrome tests can be purchased at a pharmacy at a price of 200-300 rubles. The kit includes a test strip, buffer solution, a special container and a scarifier. The test is fast and easy.

How to do:

prick a finger with a device for bloodletting;
squeeze some blood onto the strip;
drip 3-4 drops of liquid on the blood;
place in the test in a container and wait fifteen minutes;
interpret the results.

Laboratory diagnostics. For laboratory studies on HBsAg antigen, blood is taken from a vein. Before the test, you can not eat for 12 hours, so the procedure is carried out in the morning. Blood is taken in an amount of 10 milliliters. Then it settles and is passed through a centrifuge to separate plasma, which will be analyzed for the presence of HBsAg.

Serological identification of microorganisms is carried out by two methods:

RIA - radioimmunoassay;
XRF - reaction of fluorescent antibodies.

In order to carry out such analyzes, special equipment and reagents are required. Both research methods make it possible to detect HBsAg antigen even before the onset of the acute phase of the disease. Already 3-4 weeks after infection, it is safe to say about the presence of a viral infection.

Surface antigen of the hepatitis B virus and decoding of tests for its detection

Thus, it is possible to say at what stage the disease is, whether the infection is primary or whether an exacerbation of the chronic form of hepatitis has occurred.

A positive result can be deciphered by a doctor in several ways:

carriage (a person is not sick, but there is a virus in his body);
HBV goes through an incubation stage;
disease in the acute stage or recurrence of the chronic form.

In addition to the surface antigen of the hepatitis B virus, other markers of viral infection are also analyzed. Each of them completes the overall picture.

Other markers of hepatitis B:

HBeAg - indicates high HBV activity. This is the core protein of the virus. An increase in the amount of this marker indicates the rapid multiplication of viral agents. An HBeAg test is very important before delivery in women with hepatitis. Thanks to him, the doctor determines the degree of risk of infection of the child at the time of delivery.
HBcAg - are found only in liver cells with high virus activity. In the blood, antibodies to this marker can be detected. The marker can be detected only with exacerbation of the chronic form of the disease.

There is another way to detect a viral infection of the liver by detecting antibodies in the blood: HBs and HBc. The analyzes also take into account which antigens and antibodies are reactive or non-reactive. The doctor can give a disease only if there is a complete examination of the patient.

Hepatitis B, HbS-Ag, Australian antigen

As I read on your website HEPATITIS B is a primary cancer, does that mean a patient with HEPATITIS B is this a cancer patient?

This is not entirely true. It is known that persons suffering from chronic forms of the virus for a long time have a high risk of its transition to cirrhosis of the liver. Against the background of cirrhosis, primary (that is, non-metastatic) liver cancer can develop. Modern methods of therapy significantly improve the prognosis of persons infected with the hepatitis B virus, even at the stage of cirrhosis.

I learned today that my brother's friend was diagnosed with hepatitis C. The girl is 20 years old. Used drugs in the past. The same goes for cirrhosis. Unfortunately, she herself tries to hide everything, leads a secluded life, worries and, fearing publicity, does not take active steps for treatment. I want to help the girl. Question. What urgent measures are needed for her now in case of a) hepatitis b) hepatitis and, as a result, cirrhosis of the liver

No urgent measures are required in connection with hepatitis or even its transition to cirrhosis. Shown hospitalization in a hospital (infectious, therapeutic) in a planned manner for a detailed examination.

Please tell me which medicines are contraindicated in the diagnosis of chronic

When prescribing certain drugs to a patient with chronic hepatitis, the functional state of the liver and the activity of the disease must be taken into account. This requires a detailed biochemical blood test. In a normal functional state, there are no absolute contraindications (due to chronic liver disease) to taking medications. It is believed that such patients are still undesirable for long-term use of oral contraceptives, psychotropic drugs, and so on, that is, potentially hepatotoxic drugs. With a decrease in the functional state of the liver, it is undesirable to take sedatives, psychotropic drugs, some drugs of sex hormones, and some antibiotics. In any case, the issue is resolved individually, taking into account indications and contraindications. If necessary, taking medications is accompanied by taking so-called hepatoprotectors (for example, Karsil, Legalon).

PLEASE ANSWER: HOW TO GET BETTER FROM INFECTIOUS DISEASE (hepatitis B), AFTER 2 MONTHS OF TREATMENT IN THE HOSPITAL, NOW THE SON - 20 YEARS OLD, IS IN OUTPATIENT TREATMENT. HE HAS LOW "hemoglobin" AND THE IMMUNITY IS WEAK. TAKES: enzymes, essentiale, karsil and herbal infusions, rose hips, oats.

In the period of convalescence (recovery) after acute viral hepatitis B, it is of fundamental importance to follow a table type 5 diet, strict and unconditional refusal to use drugs (if any) and alcohol (alcohol is prohibited for at least a year), restriction of physical activity, rational attitude to taking medications (take into account the possible side hepatotoxic effect). The need to prescribe iron-containing products to correct anemia depends on the specific numbers of hemoglobin and serum iron. As a rule, the use of foods rich in iron (boiled veal, beef) is sufficient. To answer the question about the immune system, it is necessary to know how its WEAKENING objectively manifests itself? The expediency of simultaneous administration of Karsil and Essentiale is not recognized by all experts.

What is the probability of having a healthy child from a mother carrying the HBS antigen. Whether there are methods warning infection.

The birth of a healthy child is possible. Immediately after birth, the newborn needs to be given hyperimmunoglobulin B and the first dose of the hepatitis B vaccine. These drugs are given in different parts of the body. Repeated injections of hyperimmunoglobulin B are necessary. Vaccination should be continued according to the scheme for emergency prophylaxis, i.e. to enter repeated doses in 1, 2 and 12 months. after the first vaccination, in the future - 1 injection every 5 years. It should be borne in mind that ordinary maternity hospitals do not have a vaccine and hyperimmunoglobulin. Even more problematic is vaccination during home births. In Moscow, we recommend contacting the hepatology center at the 1 infectious diseases hospital (it also has a maternity hospital), tel. 193-83-27, 196-05-62, 196-05-63. It is advisable to examine and vaccinate other family members who are in contact with the carrier of the Australian antigen.

Can hepatitis B be the cause of thyroiditis and explain, please, the mechanism of its development.

It is unlikely that these diseases are related.

I WAS PREGNANT AT 34 WEEKS DISCOVERED HEPATITIS B S=a=Amul 289 S=ALT 218 S=AlkP 399 S=AST 149 S=Bil Uld 30.34 S=Bil Otsene 19/04 S=CRP 12 Pregnancy for 37 weeks my child died, doctors shrug and cannot name the exact cause of the child’s death after childbirth has passed repeated tests of hepatitis B positively liver tests, in normal, how can chronic hepatitis can determine or acutely can I infect negative analyzes in the older child too

Most likely, you have formed a chronic viral. If liver tests are not currently changed, then we can conclude that the inflammatory process in the liver is not very active. This situation is close to the so-called virus carrier, when the DNA of the hepatitis B virus is integrated into the DNA of liver cells, and the Australian antigen is detected in the blood with unchanged liver tests. However, a virus carrier can be a source of infection for others. The infection can be transmitted both sexually (we recommend using a condom) and household (using toothbrushes, combs, manicure accessories shared with the patient). Even strict adherence to hygiene rules may not protect others from infection. Only vaccination can reliably prevent infection. It is quite safe even for newborns. It is impossible to get infected by vaccination. Modern vaccines do not contain blood products, but are created on a culture of yeast cells.
In Moscow, imported vaccines for the prevention of viral hepatitis B are sold in pharmacies without a prescription. In addition, many medical centers provide vaccinations on a commercial basis. Domestically produced vaccine is available in most district clinics, in which case vaccination is free of charge.
By the way, if you plan to have more children, you should remember about the possibility of infecting a child in utero and at the time of birth. Children born to mothers who are carriers of the hepatitis B virus should receive the first dose of the vaccine along with a special immunoglobulin within the first 6 hours after birth. Not every maternity hospital has these drugs at its disposal. In Moscow, maternity hospitals at infectious diseases hospitals are preferable for this. Of course, before pregnancy, you need to be examined and weigh all the pros and cons. In particular, it is necessary to determine not only the Australian antigen, but the full spectrum of hepatitis B markers.

What should a person who has been ill with hepatitis B do: how to maintain their health and how to "secure" others from themselves?

We recommend finding out whether the recovery from hepatitis B has occurred (and not just the general condition has returned to normal and jaundice has passed) or the infection has become chronic. For more detailed recommendations, it is desirable to know the timing of the disease and the dynamics of complaints. The most reliable method of prevention is vaccination against viral hepatitis B.

Hepatitis B surface antigen was found in the blood. Why is it dangerous? Could it have been contracted through oral contact without semen? What do you advise to do next?

You can get infected with viral hepatitis B (as well as C, syphilis and HIV) through any form of "unprotected" sex. A complete examination is required to clarify the diagnosis (acute or chronic hepatitis B, hepatitis B virus carriage): a full range of hepatitis B and C markers, a general and biochemical blood test (AST, ALT, bilirubin, total protein, albumin, gamma-GT, alkaline phosphatase ), ultrasound of the abdominal cavity. If left untreated, some forms of chronic hepatitis can, years later, transform into cirrhosis of the liver. Regardless of the diagnosis, it is necessary to protect others from possible infection: "protected sex", strictly individual use of objects that injure the skin or mucous membranes (razors, toothbrushes, hair brushes, manicure tools). However, the most effective method of prevention is vaccination against hepatitis B. It is advisable to warn about infection when visiting a dentist and a manicure room.

I passed the analysis for markers of viral hepatitis.
I. Hepatitis B antigens:
1. HBs Ag= positive (++++)
II. Antibodies to hepatitis B:
1.Anti-HBs=
2. Anti HBe = positive (++++)
3. Anti HBcor total = positive (++++)
III. Antibodies to hepatitis C (Anti HCV) = neg
The other items were not underlined. If possible, explain my situation in a popular way and what threatens me.

Based on the results presented, you are infected with the hepatitis B virus. Most likely, we are talking about the virus carrier. However, further investigation is needed. Take care to protect others from infection: sex only with a condom, strictly individual use of razors, scissors, hair brushes, etc. (that is, everything that injures the skin or mucous membranes). But the most effective prevention of hepatitis B is vaccination. It is also advisable to warn about the infection of the dentist and cosmetologist (hairdresser) that you visit.

Please tell me if it is possible to re-infect with hepatitis B if 2 months have passed after the course of antiviral therapy and at the moment I am taking amixin (1 tablet per week)

We can talk about re-infection only after recovery. A period of 2 months is too short to talk about recovery. In your case, it is more correct to speak not about the danger of re-infection, but about the recurrence of the disease.

What is an Australian antigen? how can they get infected? how does it affect the body and how to be treated?

The Australian antigen is one of the components of the hepatitis B virus. If it is found, then the person is sick with hepatitis B. You can become infected with it through a transfusion of blood infected with the hepatitis B virus; intravenous injections; in the dentist's office, if contaminated, poorly sterilized instruments are used; through sexual contact with an infected person, without the use of barrier contraceptives. First of all, the virus affects the liver, which can lead, if left untreated, to serious consequences.

Please tell me how long the immunity lasts after vaccination against hepatitis B.

The course of vaccination against hepatitis B consists of 3 injections (with an interval of 1 and 6 months after the first injection).

In the future, every 5 years, 1 injection of the vaccine is necessary. This scheme provides a sufficient level of antibodies

I am 26 years old. I had hepatitis A as a child. Three years ago (during pregnancy) I was diagnosed with the Australian antigen. They put me on the register, but they never offered vaccination and did not explain at all what the Australian antigen is. I learned about this from your articles. I have a question. At the moment I am suffering from neurasthenia. The psychotherapist prescribed me tranquilizers Xanax, Phonezepam, Imovan, Tranxen. I took them for 7 months. Can you please explain whether tranquilizers can affect my liver and develop hepatitis B? The child does not suffer from the Australian antigen, she was vaccinated at the age of one. Now she is 3 years old. Can I infect her with the Australian antigen when kissing, when bathing together, cosmetics, a toothbrush, a comb, if she accidentally used them? Or is there nothing to fear after vaccination? My husband also had hepatitis A in childhood. From your answers, I understood that the virus is transmitted through sexual contact. Is it possible that I have a virus and my husband won't pass it on? Do I need to be vaccinated at the moment, because. have I never been vaccinated?

1. If the functional capabilities of the liver are not changed (that is, the indicators of AST, ALT, bilirubin, gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase, alkaline phosphatase are within the normal range), then taking psychotropic drugs can be continued at the prescribed doses. Given the long-term treatment with hepatotoxic drugs (and potentially hepatotoxic), it is advisable to combine their intake with legalon 70, 1 t. 3 times a day (prem Karsil is possible in the same doses).
2. Vaccination protects against infection with the hepatitis B virus, but does not eliminate the need for personal hygiene (separate toothbrush, etc.). Even if they are violated, the risk of infection is minimal. Moreover, it is problematic to get infected when bathing together, using the restroom, etc. If you still doubt whether your daughter is reliably protected, examine the content of protective antibodies to the Australian antigen in her blood.
3. Infection with the hepatitis B virus through sexual transmission is possible, but, of course, does not occur in all cases. Contribute to infection: defloration, intercourse during menstruation, anal sex, especially with ejaculation (for a passive partner), oral sex. It is necessary to examine the husband for the presence of HBs antigen as soon as possible and, in its absence, vaccination.

4. Vaccination is inappropriate for you.

What is the difference in the forecasts for the future in the diagnosis of "Chronic persistent hepatitis B" and "Healthy carrier of hepatitis B virus".
A blood test for the Australian antigen is intermittent positive-negative, markers of hepatitis C and D are negative.
Bilirubin total - 20.5. The first positive result of a blood test for the Australian antigen was obtained 15 years ago, after the next blood donation as a voluntary donor.

The prognosis is almost identical, because most so-called "HBsAg carriers" also have other markers of HBV (viral ) - HBcorIgG, HBeAb, and in the liver they have an inflammatory process in about 80% and a virus is detected. Since in the vast majority of cases, “carriers” do not undergo a puncture liver biopsy, it is more correct to regard them as suffering from latent (i.e., latent) chronic viral hepatitis B of the interactive type (i.e., without virus reproduction)
However, one should be aware of a small, but still real threat of infection to persons who are in close household, as well as sexual contact with the "carrier". It is best to examine them for markers of viral hepatitis B and vaccinate against this infection.

Questions about viral hepatitis B? Are there new drugs to treat it? (Your attitude to UV blood purification, reflexology, etc.), and also what happens after six months: the liver is restored, the B virus disappears?

In acute viral hepatitis B, recovery occurs in almost 80-90% of cases, even without the use of drugs. It is enough to follow a diet, sparing regimen, avoid alcohol, drugs, uncontrolled medication. There is evidence of a positive effect of UV in severe forms of acute viral hepatitis B. We do not have data on the therapeutic effect of acupuncture in viral hepatitis. Six months after the onset of acute viral hepatitis, it is necessary to be examined: ultrasound of the liver and spleen, general and biochemical blood tests, markers of viral hepatitis B (HBsAg, HBs antibodies, HBcor antibodies of the IgM class, HBeAg) and C (HCV antibodies). Based on these data, the doctor will make a conclusion about the outcome of the disease: complete recovery, the formation of chronic hepatitis, the formation of chronic virus carriers. If necessary, the doctor recommends additional examination and treatment.

Hello! I beg you to answer my questions. My husband and I donated blood for markers of hepatitis B. My analysis turned out to be negative. My husband's anti HB op IgJ was positive (HBSag, anti HB op IgM and anti HCV were negative). What does this mean? Have different experts given us different answers? Can it infect me or the children (we have been vaccinated against hepatitis B)? If I become pregnant, will my baby be harmed in any way? Can my husband get hepatitis B? Very grateful.
The spectrum of markers of viral hepatitis B, determined in your spouse, most likely indicates an earlier (years of so-called) acute hepatitis B, which ended in recovery. A final judgment on the condition of the liver is not possible without general, b / x blood tests, ultrasound and some other data. After hepatitis B, immunity is formed (lifelong), so vaccination is not indicated. therefore, it does not pose a danger in terms of domestic and sexual spread of the infection. Before vaccination against hepatitis B, a study of viral markers is mandatory.

Please answer why people who have recovered from hepatitis cannot be donors? How is it determined that a person has had hepatitis B?

Previously transferred acute viral hepatitis B can be retrospectively diagnosed by determining blood levels of antibodies to various viral proteins. Due to the significant cost of such an examination (when it is carried out on a mass basis), as well as for the prevention of post-transfusion hepatitis, persons who have had acute viral hepatitis are permanently suspended from donating.

A blood test revealed a positive reaction to the Australian antigen. How can you find out if a person has hepatitis and what form of hepatitis A, B, C, D ...? No signs of hepatitis (such as yellowing of the skin and deterioration of well-being) were observed. Is this person a virus carrier and how can you get infected from it?

If an Australian antigen (HBsAg) is detected in a person, then further examination is necessary to clarify the activity of the disease (end of the incubation period, acute, subacute hepatitis, etc.). This person can infect with hepatitis B, transmitted sexually or through the blood.

How and what to treat hepatitis B

The child is 1.5 years old (girl). The patient was diagnosed with hepatitis B virus. All vaccinations against hepatitis B were made. The last (3rd) - in August 2000. HBsAg has now been detected in the blood. Please!!! what can be done to remove the virus from the body? cure completely? What is fraught with such a virus? Have you heard about the fungus Cardyceps, what kind of medicine, can they cure the hepatitis B virus?

First of all, it is necessary to re-examine the blood for HBsAg. With a repeated positive result, to determine further tactics, a thorough laboratory and instrumental examination is necessary, including the determination of virus DNA in the blood (a positive result indicates the reproduction of the pathogen), as well as, possibly, a puncture liver biopsy (under local anesthesia, a fragment of liver tissue is taken with a needle for research). If an active inflammatory process in the liver is detected in combination with the detection of DNA in the blood, antiviral treatment is prescribed. The goal of therapy is to suppress the reproduction of the virus (sometimes it is possible to eliminate the virus from the body), reduce the severity of the inflammatory process in the liver, and prevent the progression of the disease. The prognosis depends on concomitant diseases (for example, infection with hepatitis C and delta viruses, HIV; alcohol and drug addiction, etc.), ongoing treatment and the stage of the process at which it was started (early treatment is usually more successful). In the absence of DNA in the blood, normal liver function parameters (for example, AST, ALT, gamma-HT, alkaline phosphatase, bilirubin), we are probably talking about chronic inactive hepatitis B (previously, the term "virus carrier" was used to refer to this form of the process). In such cases, antiviral treatment is not prescribed, the patient is subject to observation (blood for HBsAg, hepatitis B virus DNA in the blood, biochemical blood test, abdominal ultrasound every 6-12 months). As a rule, this condition persists throughout life. I have no information about the fungus Cardyceps. It is possible that this is a publicity stunt like Bionormalizer.

After a month of dating, my young man told me that he had the HBSag virus, which he had acquired long before we met, lying in the hospital, through a syringe ... Our relationship had not yet gone beyond kisses. I'm concerned that I may have already contracted this virus through kissing. I am also concerned about the question: is it possible to have a full sexual life in this situation (without using condoms)? Will vaccination be a 100% guarantee that I will not get infected? If the question arises of creating a family with this person, then I, it turns out, is doomed to infection with the hepatitis virus. Is it so? How will this affect our child's future?

1. "Deep" (that is, accompanied by contact of mucous membranes) kissing is considered a real risk factor for infection with the hepatitis B virus.
2. Modern genetically engineered vaccines for the prevention of viral hepatitis B are effective in 95-99% of cases. There are 2 immunization schemes: standard scheme (0-1-6 months) or accelerated (0-1-2-12 months). When using the accelerated scheme, immunity is formed faster, but the titer (concentration) of antibodies is slightly lower than in the case of the standard scheme. In your case, a rapid immunization is preferable, as you are at possible risk of infection with the hepatitis B virus. The effectiveness of vaccination can be checked by determining the presence and titer of antibodies to the HBs antigen several months after the completion of the vaccination course.
3. Thanks to successful vaccination, you will not be infected with the hepatitis B virus. This means that during pregnancy and childbirth you will not be able to pass the infection to your baby. But in the near future after birth (starting from the first hours of life), it is advisable to vaccinate a child if he lives in close household contact with a carrier of the hepatitis B virus.

how to treat and is hepatitis B curable at all?

In acute viral hepatitis B, the basis of treatment is diet and regimen. In severe and moderate course of the disease, to reduce the manifestations of intoxication, droppers with a solution of glucose, gemodez, etc. are prescribed. Treatment can also be done at home. But in case of a severe course of the disease, the inability to provide isolation, care and treatment at home, hospitalization is indicated. Acute viral hepatitis B ends with recovery in 85-95% of cases.
To determine the treatment tactics for chronic hepatitis B, a thorough laboratory and instrumental examination is necessary, including the determination of the DNA of the virus in the blood (a positive result indicates the reproduction of the pathogen), as well as a puncture liver biopsy (under local anesthesia, a fragment of liver tissue is taken for examination with a needle) . After that, treatment is prescribed. Interferon preparations, ursodeoxycholic acid and other agents are used. The goal of therapy is to suppress the reproduction of the virus (sometimes it is possible to eliminate the virus from the body), reduce the severity of the inflammatory process in the liver, and prevent the progression of the disease. The prognosis depends on concomitant diseases (for example, infection with hepatitis C and delta viruses, HIV; alcohol and drug addiction, etc.), ongoing treatment and the stage of the process at which it was started (early treatment is usually more successful).

My 13 year old daughter has been diagnosed with the Australian hepatitis virus. HBsAg pos. Anti HCV neg. Lactat de hidrogenoza 517.8 The doctor said that there are many such carriers and did not prescribe further examination. What tests need to be done? Is there a way to get rid of the virus? Is any treatment necessary if she turns out to be a healthy virus carrier? What can you say about Viturid, are there really cured patients? If there is Australian hepatitis, is it possible to catch another form of hepatitis, because vaccinations, as I understand it, cannot be done.

1. Indeed, patients with viral hepatitis B (and it is more correct to call the so-called healthy carriers patients with chronic hepatitis B of a low degree of activity) can also become infected with other hepatitis viruses, for example, A, C, etc. The addition of other viral infections can worsen the course of chronic liver disease Therefore, vaccination against hepatitis A is especially indicated for this category of people. As for vaccination against other infections, chronic hepatitis B of a low degree of activity is also not a contraindication to their implementation. Of course, in each individual case, it is necessary to consult a therapist or specialist in immunoprophylaxis.
2. To determine the treatment tactics for chronic hepatitis B, a thorough laboratory and instrumental examination is necessary, including re-determination of the HBs antigen, determination of virus DNA in the blood (a positive result indicates the reproduction of the pathogen), as well as a puncture liver biopsy (under local anesthesia with a needle take a fragment of liver tissue for research). After that, treatment is prescribed. If liver function tests are normal and there is no viral replication (negative DNA test), antiviral treatment is not indicated. These patients are subject to the supervision of a doctor (therapist, gastroenterologist, infectious disease specialist).
3. I have no information about Viturid.

Please tell me why they take analysis for markers. Already established the presence of surface antigen of hepatitis B, made a biochemical analysis (normal), ultrasound is normal. Are there any more markers? Explain?

The hepatitis B surface antigen is also a marker of hepatitis B. To establish the diagnosis of hepatitis, as well as the stage of the course of the disease, one marker is usually not enough, but 3-4 markers for hepatitis B and another check for markers of hepatitis D and C, which can occur in parallel with V.

What is "Australian Antigen"?

This is one of the proteins of the shell of the hepatitis B virus. It is so named because it was first discovered in the blood of Australian aborigines and was considered not a viral, but a human protein.

I am 27 years old. Previously transferred HBV was found that passed without clinical...
MARKERS analysis showed:
1) HBsAg - Negative.
2) Anti-HBS Ag (total) + Positive
3) IgM - HBc Ag - Negative.
4) Anti-HBc Ag (total) + Positive
5) HBeAg - Negative.
6) Anti-Hwe Ag (total) + Positive
7) Anti-HCV (total) - Negative.
Tour for HBV positive (+) PCR HBV DNA (a / t to HB cor Ag) In the blood, TLT (??? sort of) increased to a maximum of 60, the doctor said that treatment should be started when it doubles again (this will be exacerbated chronic phase)
At the same time, the Gastroenterologist diagnosed chronic hepatitis B and prescribed prophylaxis until the exacerbation phase. He explained that to treat only in the manifestation of exacerbation. Donate blood once every three months. (to detect sharp) Is that right? Is there another way to detect acute hepatitis? How long can we wait for this aggravation? Or can it be treated? What is the best medicine to treat? (offer many) Where to buy?

The situation is indeed not entirely clear. According to the identified HBV markers, you had an infection and recovered. But... you have HBV DNA, which is not the case with a cure. It is known that the PCR method, which is used to detect DNA, can give false positive results. We recommend repeating the analysis. In the biochemical analysis of blood, an increase in ALT draws attention (probably the upper limit of the norm is 40), which is also uncharacteristic for previously transferred HBV, which ended in recovery. Specify if there are other reasons for the increase in transaminases: alcohol abuse, medication, etc.

Please answer if there are any contraindications for the use of antiviral therapy against the hepatitis B virus, what are the possible complications, and if it is possible to name the statistical data on the results of treatment (relapses, recovery, etc.)

1. Contraindications to interferon therapy: hypersensitivity to the components of the drug, severe diseases of the cardiovascular system, severe violations of the liver and / or kidneys, epilepsy, autoimmune hepatitis or other autoimmune diseases (including those transferred earlier), some diseases of the thyroid gland.
2. Possible side effect:
- flu-like condition (usually after the first injections; stopped by taking paracetamol)
- depression, mood changes, dizziness, muscle weakness;
- changes in blood pressure and pulse;
- dysfunction of the gastrointestinal tract (diarrhea, constipation), sometimes - an increase in AST, ALT, alkaline phosphatase;
- change in the blood formula (decrease in the number of platelets, leukocytes);
- skin itching, urticaria, baldness;
- autoimmune manifestations (for example, damage to the thyroid gland).
3. Some statistics: remission after 6-12 months of treatment occurs in about 40% of patients, sustainable favorable results over the next year - in 25-35%.