Hepatitis B surface
antigen (HBsAg)
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There are three forms of hepatitis:
- Hepatitis A (Infectious Hepatitis)
- Hepatitis B (Serum Hepatitis, Transfusion Hepatitis)
- Non-A, Non-B Hepatitis
Hepatitis A:
- Transmitted through close personal contact (oral or fecal)
- Affects children and young adults more often
- Is not associated with chronic hepatitis or a carrier status
- Has an incubation period of 2-6 weeks, followed by an abrupt onset
- Hepatitis A IgM will be elevated from 6-14 weeks after infection.
Hepatitis B:
- Transmitted parenterally (drug injection or transfusion)
- 10% become carriers
- Has an incubation period of 6-26 weeks, followed by a gradual onset of
symptoms and signs.
- Hepatitis B Surface Antigen appears in the serum from 4-12 weeks
following infection
- Hepatitis B Core Antibody appears within 6-14 weeks
- Hepatitis B Surface Antibody appears 4-10 months following infection,
indicating clinical recovery and immunity to the Hep B virus
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Normal Values*
| Hepatitis A |
Negative |
|
Hepatitis B |
Negative |
|
Hepatitis, Non-A, Non-B |
Negative |
*These are general values taken from a variety of
sources. The actual normal values may vary from lab to lab and from one
type of testing protocol to another.
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Source:
Operational Medicine 2001, Health
Care in Military Settings, NAVMED P-5139, May 1, 2001, Bureau
of Medicine and Surgery, Department of the Navy, 2300 E Street NW, Washington,
D.C., 20372-5300 |