Hepatitis B at-home testing kits

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Hepatitis B tests involve a blood sample collection. People can purchase a test in person or get one from an online company. Companies that sell tests offer instructions and tools a person will need for testing.

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This article describes what hepatitis B is and the different types of blood tests available. It also explores some products available for purchase and frequently asked questions about hepatitis B testing.

A note about sex and gender

Sex and gender exist on spectrums. This article will use the terms &#;male,&#; &#;female,&#; or both to refer to sex assigned at birth. Click here to learn more.

What is hepatitis B?

Hepatitis B is a liver infection that develops when a person contracts the hepatitis B virus (HBV) through blood, semen, or another bodily fluid.

This can happen when people share needles, syringes, or other drug injection devices or during sexual activity. People can also pass the virus to their baby during childbirth.

Hepatitis B is not curable, but a vaccine can prevent the infection.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) explain that not all people with hepatitis B have symptoms. However, those who do may experience:

• fatigue
• stomach pain
• nausea
• jaundice

Those who have long-term hepatitis B can develop liver cancer or cirrhosis.

Types of hepatitis B tests

There are three types of blood tests for hepatitis B:

Hepatitis B surface antigen test

This test checks whether a person has contracted the virus. A positive result indicates that they have hepatitis B and can spread it to others.

Further testing will be necessary to determine whether the HBV infection is acute or chronic.

According to the CDC, people under the age of 6 who test positive for hepatitis B are more likely to develop a chronic infection. In contrast, those who are older may recover completely.

A person who does not have the virus will receive a negative result.

Hepatitis B surface antibody test

This test checks whether a person is immune to HBV or whether the body has developed resistance to the virus.

Those who are immune to hepatitis B receive a positive result. A positive result may indicate that the person is vaccinated or is recovering from acute hepatitis B.

According to the Hepatitis B Foundation (HBF), people who are immune to HBV cannot contract the virus from other people or contaminated areas and therefore cannot spread HBV to others.

Hepatitis B core antibody test

This test checks whether a person currently has HBV or had it in the past. A positive result means that they have a current or past infection. It can also mean that they are recovering from acute hepatitis B.

Those who receive a positive result should contact a doctor to check the status of their hepatitis B infection.

Who should take the test?

The CDC recommends people should seek out HBV screening if they:

• are living with HIV
• have end stage renal disease
• are pregnant
• need immunosuppressive therapy
• use injection drugs
• are male and have sex with other males
• have sex with individuals living with HBV
• share a household with someone living with HBV
• come from a region with a high incidence of HBV

Other ways to get a hepatitis B test

People can get a hepatitis B test at a doctor&#;s office, community health clinic, or community health department. Doctors may ask about a person&#;s family history of hepatitis B or liver disease and any possible exposures.

According to Planned Parenthood, people should tell a doctor if they want to get a test for hepatitis B or other sexually transmitted infections.

Frequently Asked Questions

Some frequently asked questions about hepatitis B testing include the following:

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How long after hepatitis B exposure should you take a test?

People who think they may have come into contact with HBV and who are not vaccinated should contact a doctor within 24 hours to get post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) treatment.

PEP treatment for hepatitis B can consist of the hepatitis B vaccine, an injection of hepatitis B immune globulin, which contains antibodies against HBV, or both.

The HBF states that it can take up to 9 weeks for HBV to show up in the bloodstream. The organization recommends that individuals who have never received PEP treatment get tested 9 weeks after exposure.

If the result is negative, a doctor may recommend the completion of the hepatitis B vaccine series.

Are hepatitis B tests accurate?

According to the FDA, home tests can help detect health conditions when people do not have symptoms. However, at-home testing should not replace a doctor&#;s visit.

Individuals should also purchase tests from companies that collaborate with CLIA-certified labs. This ensures that manufacturers regulate laboratory testing.

The HBF suggests that people get a printed copy of their blood test results so they can discuss them with a doctor and learn more about the condition.

When should people contact a doctor?

People should contact a doctor if they have symptoms of hepatitis B. They should also seek medical help if they want to purchase a hepatitis B test, as doctors can help them choose the right test for their condition.

A doctor&#;s consultation may also be beneficial to discuss test results. A medical professional may provide a treatment plan or further testing, depending on the person&#;s condition and test results.

Summary

Hepatitis B tests help determine whether a person has hepatitis B or whether their body is immune to the virus.

There are various online companies that sell these types of tests. A person should contact a doctor if they have hepatitis B symptoms or have come into contact with HBV.

Diagnosis

Your health care provider will examine you and look for signs of liver damage, such as yellowing skin or belly pain. Tests that can help diagnose hepatitis B or its complications are:

• Blood tests. Blood tests can detect signs of the hepatitis B virus in your body and tell your provider whether it's acute or chronic. A simple blood test can also determine if you're immune to the condition.
• Liver ultrasound. A special ultrasound called transient elastography can show the amount of liver damage.
• Liver biopsy. Your provider might remove a small sample of your liver for testing to check for liver damage. This is called a liver biopsy. During this test, your provider inserts a thin needle through your skin and into your liver and removes a tissue sample for laboratory analysis.

Screening healthy people for hepatitis B

Health care providers sometimes test certain healthy people for hepatitis B infection because the virus can damage the liver before causing signs and symptoms. Talk to your provider about screening for hepatitis B infection if you:

• Are pregnant
• Live with someone who has hepatitis B
• Have had many sexual partners
• Have had sex with someone who has hepatitis B
• Are a man who has sex with men
• Have a history of a sexually transmitted illness
• Have HIV or hepatitis C
• Have a liver enzyme test with unexplained abnormal results
• Receive kidney dialysis
• Take medications that suppress the immune system, such as those used to prevent rejection after an organ transplant
• Use illegal injected drugs
• Are in prison
• Were born in a country where hepatitis B is common, including Asia, the Pacific Islands, Africa and Eastern Europe
• Have parents or adopted children from places where hepatitis B is common, including Asia, the Pacific Islands, Africa and Eastern Europe

Treatment

Treatment to prevent hepatitis B infection after exposure

If you know you've been exposed to the hepatitis B virus, call your health care provider immediately. It is important to know whether you have been vaccinated for hepatitis B. Your health care provider will want to know when you were exposed and what kind of exposure you had.

An injection of immunoglobulin (an antibody) given within 24 hours of exposure to the virus may help protect you from getting sick with hepatitis B. Because this treatment only provides short-term protection, you also should get the hepatitis B vaccine at the same time if you never received it.

Treatment for acute hepatitis B infection

If your provider determines your hepatitis B infection is acute &#; meaning it is short lived and will go away on its own &#; you may not need treatment. Instead, your provider might recommend rest, proper nutrition, plenty of fluids and close monitoring while your body fights the infection. In severe cases, antiviral drugs or a hospital stay is needed to prevent complications.

Treatment for chronic hepatitis B infection

Most people diagnosed with chronic hepatitis B infection need treatment for the rest of their lives. The decision to start treatment depends on many factors, including: if the virus is causing inflammation or scarring of the liver, also called cirrhosis; if you have other infections, such as hepatitis C or HIV; or if your immune system is suppressed by medicine or illness. Treatment helps reduce the risk of liver disease and prevents you from passing the infection to others.

Treatment for chronic hepatitis B may include:

• Antiviral medications. Several antiviral medicines &#; including entecavir (Baraclude), tenofovir (Viread), lamivudine (Epivir), adefovir (Hepsera) and telbivudine &#; can help fight the virus and slow its ability to damage your liver. These drugs are taken by mouth. Your provider may recommend combining two of these medications or taking one of these medications with interferon to improve treatment response.
• Interferon injections. Interferon alfa-2b (Intron A) is a man-made version of a substance produced by the body to fight infection. It's used mainly for young people with hepatitis B who wish to avoid long-term treatment or women who might want to get pregnant within a few years, after completing a finite course of therapy. Women should use contraception during interferon treatment. Interferon should not be used during pregnancy. Side effects may include nausea, vomiting, difficulty breathing and depression.
• Liver transplant. If your liver has been severely damaged, a liver transplant may be an option. During a liver transplant, the surgeon removes your damaged liver and replaces it with a healthy liver. Most transplanted livers come from deceased donors, though a small number come from living donors who donate a portion of their livers.

Other drugs to treat hepatitis B are being developed.

More Information

• Liver transplant

 

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Lifestyle and home remedies

If you've been infected with hepatitis B, take steps to protect others from the virus.

• Make sex safer. If you're sexually active, tell your partner you have HBV and talk about the risk of transmitting it to him or her. Use a new latex condom every time you have sex, but remember that condoms reduce but don't eliminate the risk.
• Tell your sexual partner to get tested. Anyone with whom you've had sex needs to be tested for the virus. Your partners also need to know their HBV status so that they don't infect others. If positive, they should be evaluated for possible treatment.
• Don't share personal care items. If you use IV drugs, never share needles and syringes. And don't share razor blades or toothbrushes, which may carry traces of infected blood.

Coping and support

If you've been diagnosed with hepatitis B infection, the following suggestions might help you cope:

• Learn about hepatitis B. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is a good place to start.
• Stay connected to friends and family. You can't spread hepatitis B through casual contact, so don't cut yourself off from people who can offer support.
• Take care of yourself. Eat a healthy diet full of fruits and vegetables, exercise regularly, and get enough sleep.
• Take care of your liver. Don't drink alcohol or take prescription or over-the-counter drugs without consulting your health care provider. Get tested for hepatitis A and C. Get vaccinated for hepatitis A if you haven't been exposed.

Preparing for your appointment

You're likely to start by seeing your family health care provider. However, in some cases, you may be referred immediately to a specialist. Doctors who specialize in treating hepatitis B include:

• Doctors who treat digestive diseases (gastroenterologists)
• Doctors who treat liver diseases (hepatologists)
• Doctors who treat infectious diseases

What you can do

Here's some information to help you get ready for your appointment.

• Be aware of pre-appointment restrictions. When you make the appointment, ask if there's anything you need to do in advance, such as restrict your diet.
• Write down your symptoms, including any that may seem unrelated to the reason for which you scheduled the appointment.
• Write down key personal information, including major stresses or recent life changes.
• Make a list of all medications, vitamins and supplements you take.
• Consider taking a family member or friend along. Someone who accompanies you may help you remember the information you receive.
• Write down questions to ask your provider.

For hepatitis B infection, some basic questions to ask include:

• What is likely causing my symptoms or condition?
• Other than the most likely cause, what are other possible causes for my symptoms or condition?
• What tests do I need?
• Is my condition likely temporary or chronic?
• Has hepatitis B damaged my liver or caused other complications, such as kidney problems?
• What is the best course of action?
• What are the alternatives to the primary approach you're suggesting?
• I have other health conditions. How can I best manage them together?
• Are there restrictions that I need to follow?
• Should I see a specialist?
• Should my family be tested for hepatitis B?
• How can I prevent people around me from hepatitis B?
• Is there a generic alternative to the medicine you're prescribing?
• Are there brochures or other printed material I can have? What websites do you recommend?

What to expect from your doctor

Your health care provider is likely to ask you a number of questions, including:

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• When did your symptoms begin?
• Have you ever developed jaundice symptoms, including yellowing of the eyes or clay-colored stool?
• Were you previously vaccinated for hepatitis B?
• Have your symptoms been continuous or occasional?
• How severe are your symptoms?
• What, if anything, seems to improve your symptoms?
• What, if anything, appears to worsen your symptoms?
• Have you ever had a blood transfusion?
• Do you inject drugs?
• Have you had unprotected sex?
• How many sexual partners have you had?
• Have you been diagnosed with hepatitis?