Acute Hepatitis B
A patient with an acute infection will test positive for the hepatitis B virus (HBsAg), HBc-IgM, and possibly the HBe-antigen.
An acute hepatitis B infection follows a relatively long incubation period — from 1 to 6 months (with or without symptoms) and infected persons are able to pass the virus to others at this stage;
Therefore, the screening and vaccination of close family/household members and sexual partners is advised. Repeat blood tests over a six-month period are needed to diagnose recovery or chronic infection.
Page last modified October 27, 2009
