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Hepatitis B Surface Antigen (HBsAg), Rapid Screening Test

Also referred as

HBsAg Screening-Rapid

HBsAg card test

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An Hepatitis B Surface Antigen (HBsAg), Rapid Screening Test test helps determine the presence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection by detecting hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in the blood sample. In addition to HBV screening, this test also confirms any previous HBV infection and helps monitor the ongoing treatment for hepatitis B.

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Understanding Hepatitis B Surface Antigen (HBsAg), Rapid Screening Test

Hepatitis B is a viral infection that affects the liver and causes liver inflammation. It is transmitted from an infected individual to another through sexual contact; by sharing needles, syringes, or other drug-injection equipment; due to infected blood transfusion; or during pregnancy or delivery. Hepatitis B vaccination is the safest and most effective practice to prevent this infection.

Following initial infection, most of the infected individuals do not exhibit any symptoms. However, some of the common symptoms are fever, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, stomach pain, joint pain, dark-colored urine, light-colored stool, and the yellowing of skin and eyes. An Hepatitis B Surface Antigen (HBsAg), Rapid Screening Test test helps to identify individuals infected with the virus and enables the doctor to start appropriate treatment. Early disease detection can prevent complications resulting from the infection and further virus transmission. This test also helps distinguish HBV infection from other forms of hepatitis.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends testing people who may be at an increased risk of infection, have come in contact with an already infected person, or show the specified symptoms. HBsAg is a protein on the surface of HBV that can be detected in high levels in serum during acute or chronic HBV infection. The presence of HBsAg indicates that the person is infectious. Continued persistence of HBsAg may be seen in chronic carriers as well as patients with chronic hepatitis B.

Usually, no special preparation is needed for this test. You may eat and drink as per your daily routine. Talk to your doctor about your specific test results. Narrate your complete medical history to help them correlate your clinical and laboratory findings. The test results will help the doctor determine your medical condition and formulate an overall treatment plan.

What does Hepatitis B Surface Antigen (HBsAg), Rapid Screening Test measure?

An Hepatitis B Surface Antigen (HBsAg), Rapid Screening Test is a rapid screening test. An Hepatitis B Surface Antigen (HBsAg), Rapid Screening Test test helps screen for the presence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) in a suspected individual. HBsAg is the first serological marker to appear in the blood ( within 1 to 10 weeks) after recent exposure to HBV. Persistence of this marker for more than 6 months implies chronic (long-term) HBV infection which may lead to liver damage (scarring or cirrhosis). A person who has a chronic infection is capable of spreading the infection to healthy individuals, even if they do not show or experience any symptoms. The diagnosis of any reactive HBsAg result relies on additional supplemental tests like anti-HBs antibody and total anti-HBc antibodies. Confirmation can be done using nucleic acid tests like HBV DNA by PCR.

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FAQs related to Hepatitis B Surface Antigen (HBsAg), Rapid Screening Test

Why do I need an Hepatitis B Surface Antigen (HBsAg), Rapid Screening Test test?

An Hepatitis B Surface Antigen (HBsAg), Rapid Screening Test test is used to check the presence of hepatitis B infection. If your test results are positive, it means your blood and body fluids contain hepatitis B virus and you can transmit it to others. Consult your doctor right away. If left untreated, the infection can lead to complications such as liver damage, which can be life-threatening.

How is an Hepatitis B Surface Antigen (HBsAg), Rapid Screening Test test performed?

A phlebotomist (a trained professional to perform blood draws) will clean your skin using an antiseptic alcohol cotton swab or wipe, and take a blood sample from your vein using a needle. The blood sample will be stored safely and transported to the laboratory for analysis. However, an HBsAg test can also be done on other body fluids, such as saliva, semen, or vaginal fluid.

What are the symptoms of hepatitis B infection?

The symptoms of acute hepatitis B may not be apparent for months after exposure to HBV. However, the most common symptoms are fatigue, muscle and joint pain, loss of appetite, dark urine, fever, belly pain, and yellowing of the eyes and skin (jaundice).

Can hepatitis B spread through food or water?

Hepatitis B virus does not spread through food or water, by sharing utensils, breastfeeding, hugging, kissing, handholding, coughing, or sneezing.

How is hepatitis B transmitted?

The hepatitis B virus can be transmitted through contact with infected blood and body fluids. This can happen during unprotected sexual contact with an infected partner; from an infected mother to the unborn baby during birth; by sharing needles, syringes, or drug preparation equipments; by sharing items such as toothbrushes or razors; due to direct contact with blood or open wounds of an infected person; and by piercing and tattooing. The infection may also spread due to poor infection control in healthcare facilities like hospitals.

How long is hepatitis B infectious?

Hepatitis B is infectious for as long as the virus is active in your body. If you have an acute infection, it may last from a few weeks to six months, and you are capable of transmitting the infection to healthy individuals. If you have a chronic infection, the infection may last a lifetime and may potentially lead to serious illnesses such as cirrhosis and liver cancer.

What additional tests will I need if my Hepatitis B Surface Antigen (HBsAg), Rapid Screening Test test result is positive?

If your Hepatitis B Surface Antigen (HBsAg), Rapid Screening Test test result is positive, your doctor may order additional tests like hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBs), total hepatitis B core antibody (anti-HBc), IgM antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (IgM anti-HBc), hepatitis B “e” antigen (HBeAg), hepatitis B “e” antibody (HBeAb or anti-HBe), hepatitis B viral DNA, and liver function test.

What are the different hepatitis B screening tests?

Hepatitis B is a viral infection that affects the liver. Screening for hepatitis B usually involves blood tests to detect markers of the infection. There are several types of hepatitis B screening tests, but the CDC recommends the use of three panel tests that include a hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) test, a hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBs) test, and a total antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) test.

How can hepatitis B be prevented?

Hepatitis B can be best prevented by vaccination. The hepatitis B vaccine is safe and effective and should be given in three doses for full protection (at 0, 1, and 6 months).

Content created by

Dr. Anupriya Nautiyal

MD Pathology, MBBS

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Last Updated

23rd Oct 2025