HBV (Hepatitis B Virus) Viral Load - Quantitative in Greater Noida
Understanding HBV (Hepatitis B Virus) Viral Load - Quantitative in Greater Noida
What is HBV (Hepatitis B Virus) Viral Load - Quantitative in Greater Noida?
An HBV (Hepatitis B Virus) Viral Load - Quantitative test measures the amount of hepatitis B virus DNA (genetic material) in the blood. This test helps monitor the progression of hepatitis B infection and assess the efficacy of an ongoing hepatitis B treatment.
What does HBV (Hepatitis B Virus) Viral Load - Quantitative measure?
An HBV (Hepatitis B Virus) Viral Load - Quantitative test detects the virus’s genetic material and determines the viral load in the blood. A positive test indicates that the virus is multiplying in a person’s body, making that person contagious. The test uses the quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method, a highly sensitive technique that can detect and measure even tiny amounts of viral DNA.
Hepatitis B infection can be short-term (acute) or long-term (chronic), depending on how long HBV has been in your blood:
Acute hepatitis B: An acute hepatitis B infection may last up to six months (with or without symptoms), and infected persons can pass the virus to others during this time.
Chronic hepatitis B: If the virus remains in the blood for over six months, it is considered a chronic infection. While most adults do not develop chronic hepatitis B, infants, and young children are less likely to rid their bodies of the virus and, as a result, may develop chronic hepatitis B infection.
Managing hepatitis B is crucial, especially in chronic cases. Monitoring viral load helps doctors decide when to start, monitor, and stop the treatment. It also assists in predicting the long-term outcomes and development of liver diseases such as cirrhosis and liver cancer.