HBsAg test (hepatitis B surface antigen) is a test performed as a way to detect hepatitis B. If the test results are positive, it indicates that the hepatitis B virus has been detected in your body.
Hepatitis B is one of the most common health problems in Indonesia. Based on the research results of the Ministry of Health in 2013, there were around 2,981,075 Indonesians suffering from hepatitis, with 21.8% or around 649,874 of them suffering from hepatitis B.
Hepatitis B disease often goes undetected, because some sufferers do not feel any symptoms. However, there are some symptoms that can be experienced by people with hepatitis B, including:
- Yellow skin and eyes
- Loss of appetite
- Stomach pain
- Fever
- Prolonged fatigue
- White stools
- Dark urine
To diagnose hepatitis B, the doctor will perform a physical examination, liver function tests, and hepatitis B serology including an HBsAg test through a blood sample. As a step for early detection and treatment, HBsAg testing for pregnant women and newborns is also important.
The Role of HBsAg Test in Detecting Hepatitis B
HBsAg is a protein found on the surface of the hepatitis B virus. A positive HBsAg test indicates that a person is infected with the hepatitis B virus and may be able to infect other people with the virus.
However, this test cannot be the only benchmark for detecting hepatitis B. This is because a positive HBsAg test result can also occur within 18 days after a person receives the hepatitis B vaccine.
If needed, the doctor will perform additional tests to confirm hepatitis B infection, namely anti-HBc, anti-HBs, and IgM anti-HBc tests. In addition to diagnosing hepatitis B, a series of tests can also determine the type of hepatitis B you have, namely acute or chronic.
acute hepatitis
In acute hepatitis B disease, test results will show:
- HBsAg positive
- Anti-HBc positive
- IgM anti-HBc positive
- Anti-HBs negative
Acute hepatitis B infection will usually occur in a short time, which is about 1-3 months. After hepatitis B infection, the body can fully recover within a few months with the support of a good immune system.
If the immune system can't fight off the virus completely, then acute hepatitis B can develop into chronic hepatitis B.
Chronic hepatitis
In chronic hepatitis B, test results show:
- HbsAg positive
- Anti-HBc positive
- IgM anti-HBc negative
- Anti-HBs negative
If hepatitis B infection occurs for more than 6 months, then this condition includes chronic hepatitis B. Symptoms of chronic hepatitis B are usually mild or asymptomatic and sometimes recur frequently.
Patients with chronic hepatitis B infection may suffer from this disease throughout their lives. If left untreated, this condition can lead to serious complications such as cirrhosis and liver cancer.
To get protection from hepatitis B, you need to get hepatitis B vaccination, live a healthy lifestyle, and avoid risky behaviors such as free sex and sharing needles.
In addition, do regular health checks to the doctor, including the HBsAg test, as an important step in early detection of hepatitis B disease.