Blood Tests for Diagnosis of Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B is diagnosed with a simple blood test that can be done at your doctor’s office or local health clinic. There are 3 parts to the hepatitis B panel of blood tests, so understanding your test results can be confusing. Are you infected with hepatitis B? Are you protected from hepatitis B because you were vaccinated or have recovered from a past infection? Are you at risk of being infected with hepatitis B? It is very important to understand your hepatitis B blood test results so that you receive the right kind of care and follow-up.
Your health care[1] provider should order the “Hepatitis B Panel,” which includes three parts but requires only one sample of blood. You and your health care provider will need to know all three test results to fully understand whether you are infected, protected or still at risk for a hepatitis B infection. Remember to ask for a copy of your hepatitis B blood test results so that you fully understand which tests are positive or negative and what that means for your health.
Learn more about the difference between acute and chronic infection.
Hepatitis B testing in the U.S.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that all adults 18 and older be screened at least once in their lifetime. Learn more here.
Hepatitis B testing is available from many sources throughout the United States. Your regular medical provider (primary care clinician) can test you for hepatitis B. Our Hep B United partners provide testing in locations throughout the U.S. Visit http://hepbunited.org/local-campaigns to learn more about local coalitions near you and upcoming screenings.
The CDC also maintains a database of testing centers, searchable by zip code, at https://gettested.cdc.gov/.