Hepatitis B Test

Tell me about hepatitis B testing.
Our doctors have selected the Hepatitis B Surface Antigen (HBsAg) Test to detect the hepatitis B virus in blood. This FDA-approved test looks for protein on the surface of the virus in a blood sample. It’s used to detect both acute (new) and chronic (old) hepatitis B infections.

Is this a Blood Test or a Urine Test?
The hepatitis B test is a blood test. When you get to the lab, the lab technician will draw one small tube of blood. There’s no need to get undressed or have any uncomfortable swabbing.

Will I Need to Fast or Prepare for the Test?
There is no preparation needed for the Hepatitis B Blood Test. You do not need to fast.

What Will the Results Tell Me?
Hepatitis B Test results are either positive or negative. Positive means that the test found hepatitis B. Negative means you did not show any signs of hepatitis B.

Although it is uncommon, sometimes a person has a positive test for hepatitis B, but has negative confirmatory testing. If the confirmation test is negative, then you do not have hepatitis B.

Is Hepatitis B Curable?
Hepatitis B is treatable and, in most cases, curable. Caught early, acute (new) hepatitis B is treated with bed rest and fluids and can eventually go away. In fact, 94 - 98% of people get better on their own, if they acquire hepatitis B as an adult, and don’t become chronic carriers. A small number of people, about 1%, go on to develop chronic hepatitis B, which can lead to serious liver disease. While it is not always curable, there are treatment options that can help stop the virus from getting worse. Should you test positive, you will speak with one of our doctors who will help you get treatment with a local specialist.

Who Should Be Tested for Hepatitis B?
If you or your parents were born in Southeast Asia (China, Vietnam etc.), the Pacific Islands, Africa, the Amazon Basin or the Middle East, you may be more likely to contract hepatitis B if exposed to it. Vaccination has not always been readily available in these areas and this virus can be spread from a mother to child at birth.

Hepatitis B testing is recommended for people who have a high risk of coming in contact with the virus, which also includes anyone who has used injection drugs or had unprotected sex with an infected partner. If you live with someone who is infected with hepatitis B or if you have had a sexual encounter with someone who has hepatitis B, you should be tested. Consider hepatitis B testing as part of routine STD screening, especially if you have had unprotected sex with someone whose STD status you do not know or are concerned about.

Learn more about the Hepatitis B Test

For routine STD testing to know your sexual health status, test today.

Although hepatitis B may be detected as early as 3 weeks after exposure, it is recommended you wait at least 6 weeks to get tested for the most accurate results. If you truly had a hepatitis B exposure, you should have a final follow up test 3 months after exposure to make sure you are not infected.

If you haven’t been tested for other STDs like HIV, hepatitis C, syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia or herpes in the last 12 months, our doctors recommend a complete screening. We offer a full 8-test panel that screens for 8 of the most common STDs.

For a personalized test plan, call our Care Advisors at (866) 660-2593(866) 660-2593. Because different diseases become detectable by diagnostic testing at different times, this is the best way to ensure you get tested at the right time.