Testing
How can I find out if I have hepatitis B?
You need to have a blood test to check if you have hepatitis B.
Regular blood tests do not show hepatitis B, so your doctor would have to order a special test to find out.
What can the hepatitis B blood test show?
Negative: it means that you have not had hepatitis B and you are not immune to it. It is a good idea for you to get the vaccine, so you will be protected from getting hepatitis B.
Immune: it can show if you are immune to hepatitis B because you have had the vaccine. It can also tell if you had hepatitis B in the past, recovered from it, and are now immune.
You have hepatitis now: your doctor will determine if you have an acute illness, or if you are in a chronic stage of hepatitis B.
I feel healthy. Should I test for hepatitis B if I think I have been at risk?
Yes. Even if you feel healthy, you may have hepatitis B and not have any symptoms for a long time. It is good to have a test so you can know if you have hepatitis B. That way, if you do have hepatitis B, you can be monitored by your doctor and look after yourself so that you can stay healthy.