Thursday, May 16, 2013

Hepatitis B Testing Los Angeles Search For Different Indications Of Infection

By Lauren G. Laurence


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

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

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

Hepatitis B e-antigen (HBeAg) is an HBV protein that's only there during an active HBV infection. This test determines how contagious you are. Testing for this antigen can also be used to monitor the effectiveness of treatment for HBV.

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




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