HBcAb is an immune system response to a protein in the core of the virus, and it is only present if you have been infected, rather thanimmunizedagainst the virus. It is part of a routine screening panel of tests for hepatitis B. If your rest results turn out to be positive, your healthcare provider will order further tests to determine the stage of the infection:acute or chronic(long term).
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Being Tested for Hepatitis B Core Antibody
The hepatitis B core antibody test is part of a screening panel for hepatitis B, which also will includehepatitis B surface antigen(HBsAg) andhepatitis B surface antibody(anti-HBs). These three tests look for acute and chronic infections.
Tests may be ordered if you have symptoms of hepatitis, such as jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes), fever, fatigue, pale stools, dark urine, nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite. In this case, the hepatitis B core antibody IgM test may be used, as it shows an early stage of infection.
How Is the HBcAb Test Done?
This is a blood test. A clinician will fill a tube with blood taken from a vein in your arm through which a needle is inserted. If you are giving blood, a sample will be taken from the blood you’re donating. The blood is sent to a lab, where it is tested. Sometimes HBcAb will be added on to lab orders when results from other tests indicate there may be a hepatitis B infection.
Results of the HBcAb Test
There are two variations of antibodies. The IgM antibody is the largest antibody and the first produced in an infection. It shows that you may have a current, active infection. Sometimes it persists for years, but it usually drops to undetectable levels once the acute infection resolves.
The HBcAb IgG is produced later in the course of the infection, and it’s likely that you will have a positive HBcAb IgG test for the rest of your life.
The screening panel usually has a test that is for total HBcAb, which includes both IgM and IgG. The IgM test may be ordered to help determine if you have an acute infection.
A positive HBcAb test must be interpreted along with the results of the other tests. You may have an active or chronic infection or be immune to hepatitis B due to past infection. Discussthe resultswith your healthcare provider. In any case, a positive HBcAb test (either an active or past infection) means your blood or organs cannot be donated to a recipient.
Understanding the Hepatitis B e-Antigen (HBeAg)
3 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Clinical testing and diagnosis for hepatitis B.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Hepatitis B.Hepatitis B Foundation.Understanding your test results.Additional ReadingHepatitis B Foundation.Hepatitis B blood tests.
3 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Clinical testing and diagnosis for hepatitis B.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Hepatitis B.Hepatitis B Foundation.Understanding your test results.Additional ReadingHepatitis B Foundation.Hepatitis B blood tests.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Clinical testing and diagnosis for hepatitis B.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Hepatitis B.Hepatitis B Foundation.Understanding your test results.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Clinical testing and diagnosis for hepatitis B.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Hepatitis B.
Hepatitis B Foundation.Understanding your test results.
Hepatitis B Foundation.Hepatitis B blood tests.
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