Hepatitis Hepatitis A & B How Do I Get Tested For Hepatitis B/HBV? By Elizabeth Boskey, PhD Elizabeth Boskey, PhD Facebook LinkedIn Twitter Elizabeth Boskey, PhD, MPH, CHES, is a social worker, adjunct lecturer, and expert writer in the field of sexually transmitted diseases. Learn about our editorial process Updated on March 17, 2022 Medically reviewed Verywell Health articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and healthcare professionals. These medical reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Chris Vincent, MD Medically reviewed by Chris Vincent, MD LinkedIn Chris Vincent, MD, is a licensed physician, surgeon, and board-certified doctor of family medicine. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print There are three blood tests for Hepatitis B. One tests for the virus itself, and two test for your body’s reaction to the virus. Sometimes your healthcare provider will do all three tests because each can supply different information. jarun011 / Getty Images If you are positive for the antigen test (HBsAg) it means that you are currently infected with the virus and can pass it to other. If you clear an HBV infection and do not remain chronically infected, you will usually test negative again within 4 months after your symptoms resolve. If you are positive on the anti-HBs test, which looks for your body’s reaction to a surface protein of the virus, it means that you are immune to Hepatitis B. This could either be because you were previously exposed to the virus or because you were vaccinated. You can not pass the virus to others. If you are positive on the anti-HBc test, which looks for your body’s reaction to a core protein of the virus, it usually means that you are chronically infected with HBV, and can pass the disease to others. However, if you are also positive on the anti-HBs test, then a positive anti-HBc test is probably because of a previous infection. Other tests may be ordered if your healthcare provider thinks you are chronically infected with HBV. These tests are done to monitor the progress of the disease and its treatment—not to detect whether or not you are infected. There is a vaccine for hepatitis B. Current guidelines recommend that all infants and children be vaccinated against HBV, in addition to adults aged 19-59 who have not previously been vaccinated. Unvaccinated adults aged 60+ who are at a high risk of contracting the virus should talk to their healthcare provider about getting vaccinated. Risk factors include multiple sex partners, a sexual partner with HBV, living with someone with chronic HBV, a job that brings you in contact with human blood, injection drug use, and being a man who has sex with men. Anyone 60 and older may receive hepatitis B vaccination if they choose to, even if they don’t meet risk-based recommendations. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit 1 Source Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Murthy N, Wodi AP, Bernstein H, McNally V, Cineas S, Ault K. Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices Recommended Immunization Schedule for Adults Aged 19 Years or Older — United States, 2022. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2022;71:229–233. doi:10.15585/mmwr.mm7107a1. Additional Reading CDC. (2015) Hepatitis B In Short. Accessed 11/11/2015 at http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd-vac/hepb/in-short-adult.htm#who Merrill RM, Hunter BD. Seroprevalence of markers for hepatitis B viral infection. Int J Infect Dis. 2011 Feb;15(2):e78-121. doi: 10.1016/j.ijid.2010.09.005. National Clinical Guideline Centre (UK). Hepatitis B (Chronic): Diagnosis and Management of Chronic Hepatitis B in Children, Young People and Adults. London: National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (UK); 2013 Jun. Tillmann HL. Hepatitis C virus core antigen testing: role in diagnosis, disease monitoring and treatment. World J Gastroenterol. 2014 Jun 14;20(22):6701-6. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i22.6701.