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Viral hepatitis can lead to the development of cirrhosis of the liver and malignant neoplasms. One of the most popular viruses causing this disease in Poland is the B virus – you can get infected with it through contact with infected medical tools and contact with damaged epidermis or blood of an infected person, as well as sexual intercourse. HBs antigen is a confirmation factor of hepatitis B in a test subject, the presence of which should be monitored to determine what form the infection has taken and what stage it is in.
Hepatitis B – Why Is It Dangerous?
HBV travels between organisms through body fluids, with particular emphasis on blood. It attacks and destroys liver cells, which can lead to cirrhosis of the liver. Malignant neoplasms can also cause negative effects of the virus on the liver. You can become infected with it through blood transfusions, sexual intercourse with an infected person and medical procedures including the risk of contact with poorly cleaned medical equipment or the blood of an infected person, i.e. at the dentist, during blood collection and injections, as well as in a tattoo studio or hairdresser. The factor indicating infection with type B virus is the presence in the blood of one of the virus-building proteins – this protein is HBs antigen.
HBs antigen – what is it?
HBs antigen is a protein that is part of the HBV virus. Its presence in the blood can be noted long before the first symptoms of the disease appear and about 30 days after infection. However, the HBs antigen test result does not provide information about the form of the infection. The test for the presence of the factor should be repeated – if after three or four months the amount of HBs antigen begins to decline, it means that the situation is back to normal, the body has started to fight the virus and is recovering. However, if after this time the HBs antigen is still present in the body or its amount has started to increase, carriage is confirmed.
HBs antigen – how is this factor tested?
Testing for the presence of HBs antigen in human blood is ordered when HBV infection is suspected and when a person reports as a donor to a blood donation center, organ donor or before some types of vaccination. The test itself does not have to be performed on an empty stomach, but it is advisable to eat a light meal. To test the presence of HBs antigen, a blood sample is taken from the patient’s vein in the crook of the elbow. A trace of HBs antigen will never be found in the results of a healthy organism – its presence indicates infection. In order to clarify the patient’s condition in the event of a positive result, the test should be performed again after a few months. The result of the HBs antigen test should be interpreted by a physician, because it enables the decision to take the next steps or starting treatment, as well as monitoring the patient’s condition or determining his genetic predisposition to develop diseases such as malignant tumors.