Hepatitis B Blood Test

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is an inflammation of the liver caused by the hepatitis B virus. Hepatitis B is present in body fluids (blood, semen, vaginal fluid, or breast milk) and is spread when body fluids contaminated with the virus enter the body of someone who is not infected. This can happen through childbirth, sexual contact, or contact with used needles. Hepatitis B is not spread through food or water, sharing eating utensils, breastfeeding, hugging, kissing, hand holding, coughing, or sneezing. Not all people infected with Hepatitis B have symptoms and many heal from the infection on their own. For others, Hepatitis B can become a chronic infection that, if left untreated, can lead to serious or life-threatening health problems, such as liver cirrhosis or liver cancer. Hepatitis B can be prevented with a vaccine and the best way to prevent infection is to get vaccinated. Chronic hepatitis B has no cure, but can be treated with antiviral drugs. People with chronic hepatitis B can live a long and healthy life with the right treatment and are not at risk of passing the virus on to others.

​​What is a hepatitis B test?

This antigen test shows whether you have contracted hepatitis B virus. The test consists of a blood test that you can easily perform from home. You will receive detailed instructions with your test on how to collect the sample. After collection, send your sample to our certified laboratory using the prepaid shipping label, where it will be analyzed. You will receive the results within a few days of the sample reaching the lab.

What is hepatitis B?

Hepatitis B is a vaccine-preventable inflammation of the liver caused by infection with the hepatitis B virus. Transmission can take place from mother to child at birth, through sexual contact or contact with blood (RIVM, 2021). Hepatitis B is not spread through food or water, sharing eating utensils, breastfeeding, hugging, kissing, hand holding, coughing, or sneezing.

What is the window period for hepatitis B?

Every STI has a window period. This is the time between when an individual is infected and the moment that the STI is detectable with a test. The window period of hepatitis B is four weeks.

When should I consider taking a hepatitis B test?

If you are experiencing symptoms or have had unprotected sex, shared a toothbrush, or shared a needle with someone who has hepatitis B, you should get tested.

Additionally, many people with acute hepatitis B do not have any immediate symptoms. You may already have the virus and be contagious before experiencing any symptoms, or remain infected for an extended period without experiencing any symptoms at all. Individuals infected with hepatitis B remain contagious until the virus is cleared from their body, usually 4 to 8 weeks after onset. In some cases, acute hepatitis B will not be cleared by the body and progress to a chronic infection. This is why screening for hepatitis B as a part of routine STI screening is also recommended. Testing allows you to prevent further spread of the virus and access appropriate treatment if needed.

Symptoms of acute hepatitis B include:

• Extreme tiredness
• Flu-like symptoms
• Fever
• Loss of appetite
• Pain in the upper abdomen, on the right side
• Yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes
• Dark urine
• Light coloured stools.

Symptoms of acute infection usually last a few weeks. However, they can last up to 3 months.

What can you do to prevent hepatitis B?

There is a vaccine to prevent hepatitis B. This vaccination is included in the National Vaccination Programme in the Netherlands. Since 2012/2013, children have been vaccinated against Hepatitis B as part of standard childhood vaccinations.

In addition, you can take the following actions into account to prevent hepatitis B:

• Practice safe sex using barriers such as a condom.
• Do not share your toothbrush, razor, or nail scissors with others.
• Be careful with blood when dressing wounds and use waterproof bandages.
• Do not use hypodermic needles that have been used by others.

Is hepatitis B treatable?

Adults who get hepatitis B usually clear the virus on their own with no treatment. Sometimes, the virus remains in the body and develops into a lifelong condition, known as chronic hepatitis B. Why this happens is not known. People with chronic hepatitis B usually have no symptoms, but can infect others. Furthermore, they are at increased risk of liver failure, liver cancer, and scarring of the liver (cirrhosis).

Individuals with chronic hepatitis B should be examined by a healthcare provider regularly to prevent liver damage. In certain cases, people with chronic hepatitis B need medication to reduce the risk of liver damage and prevent spreading the disease to others.

What should you do if you are pregnant and may have hepatitis B?

If you are pregnant, your blood will be tested for hepatitis B by your healthcare provider as part of standard screening for expectant mothers. This happens in all of Western Europe. If a pregnant woman is infected with the hepatitis B virus, the baby will receive an injection immediately after birth. This injection contains substances that directly protect the child against hepatitis B.