Hepatitis virus test or panel

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Blood test

Erythema multiforme, circular lesions - hands

Hepatitis B virus

Hepatitis A antibody test; Hepatitis B antibody test; Hepatitis C antibody test; Hepatitis D antibody test

No presence of antibodies (a negative test) is normal.

Serology (blood) tests have been developed to detect the presence of antibodies to each of the hepatitis viruses. IgM antibodies appear 3 to 4 weeks after exposure and usually return to normal in about 8 weeks. IgG antibodies appear about 2 weeks after the IgM antibodies start to increase. These IgG antibodies may persist forever.

If the IgM antibody is elevated in the absence of IgG antibody, acute hepatitis is suspected. If IgG antibody is increased, but not IgM antibody, a convalescent or chronic state is likely.

Positive tests may indicate:

• Hepatitis A (results may show active infection or recovery from a prior infection)
• Hepatitis B (results may show recovery from prior infection, or immunity from Hep B vaccine -- both indicate immunity to the disease)
• Hepatitis C (results may show that the patient is a chronic carrier of this disease)
• chronic Hepatitis B or Hepatitis B carrier state
• Hepatitis D, when found in conjunction with Hepatitis B

Additional conditions under which the test may be performed:

• Chronic persistent hepatitis
• Delta agent (Hepatitis D)
• Nephrotic syndrome

Review Date: 11/16/2005
Reviewed By: Monica Gandhi, M.D., M.P.H., Assistant Professor, Division of Infectious Diseases, UCSF, San Francisco, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.