When HBs, one of the antigen proteins of the hepatitis B virus entering our body, is detected, an antibody called anti-HBs is secreted by our immune system and thus a war against the virus begins. With the anti HBs test, the status of the antibody is learned. Let’s examine in detail what is anti-HBs, how many should it be, what it means to have a positive test.
As humanity, we are struggling with so many viruses that if we start counting now, we would fill volumes of books. Some viruses are less harmful, while others can have dire consequences. One of them is the hepatitis B virus. HBs, one of the protein antigens found in hepatitis B virus detecting it, our body begins to produce an antibody called anti HBs to fight it.
It is considered a good thing that the anti-HBs value in our body is at the desired level, because even if we do not carry hepatitis B virus, we gain immunity thanks to these antibodies and even we do not get this disease again. Because anti HBs test is done and the value of this antibody in our body is examined when deemed necessary. Let’s take a closer look at what anti HBs is and see how many it should be, and what will happen if the test is positive.
Let’s start with a basic definition; What is anti-HBs?
Hepatitis B virus, abbreviated HBV, also known as jaundice It is a type of virus that causes liver inflammation. One of the many proteins with antigen properties in the hepatitis B virus is called HBs. Anti HBs, on the other hand, as the name suggests, is a kind of antibody produced by our body against HBs antigenic protein.
What does anti HBs do?
When a virus, microbe or bacteria enters our body, our immune system directs existing cells to that area to fight these foreigners, produce these cells even if they are absent. Here, anti HBs is one of these antibody cells produced to combat the hepatitis B virus entering our body.
Although it varies from person to person, after hepatitis B virus enters our body and HBs antigen protein is detected. within a maximum of 6 months Our body starts to produce anti HBs antibody. Anti HBs antibody not only fights against HBs, the antigen protein of hepatitis B virus, but also gives the good news that we will not deal with this disease again.
What about the anti HBs test, how is it done?
The anti-HBs test is used in cases where the physician suspects an infection caused by the hepatitis B virus, or if the person has been vaccinated against hepatitis B. It is a test done when you want to be checked. So it is not a test that should be done regularly.
When a person is suspected of hepatitis B disease, blood is taken from his arm with the classical method. Laboratory examinations on blood taken anti HBs antibody in the blood is counted. If there are enough antibodies, the test is positive, if there are not enough, negative results are given.
What should be the ideal anti-HBs value?
In the anti-HBs test, it is examined how many mIU of anti-HBs antibodies are in the blood of the person per millimeter. demonstrating that the person is in a state of protection against the hepatitis B virus The ideal anti-HBs value is considered to be at least 10 mIU/ml. It’s okay if it’s higher, while lower poses a risk.
What does anti HBs positive mean that you have produced enough antibodies?
As a result of the anti HBs test, your anti HBs antibody value If it is 10 mIU / ml and above, the anti HBs test is considered positive. So you have enough antibodies in your blood to fight the hepatitis B virus. Anti HBs positive; If you are sick, you will get better, if you are not, you will be protected.
What does anti HBs negative mean, indicating hepatitis B risk?
As a result of the anti HBs test, your anti HBs antibody value The anti HBs test is considered negative if it is below 10 mIU/ml. That means you don’t have enough antibodies in your blood to fight the hepatitis B virus. Anti HBs negative; means that the hepatitis B virus has not yet been cleared from the body and remains contagious. However, in such a case, the anti-HBs test alone is not sufficient to make a definitive decision.
Other hepatitis B tests and their meanings:
- HBs Ag test; It can be negative in people who have never encountered, encountered and protected from the hepatitis B virus, and who have been vaccinated.
- Total anti HBc test; It can be negative in people who have never been exposed to hepatitis B virus and have been vaccinated, and positive in people who have been exposed and protected.
- Anti HBs test; It can be negative in people who have never encountered the hepatitis B virus, and positive in people who have been encountered and protected, and who have been vaccinated.
What you need to know about Hepatitis B, which is seen as a publication:
It is possible to encounter diseases caused by the hepatitis B virus frequently. It can be passed from mother to baby, can be transmitted through sexual intercourse or if you interact with fluid and blood containing the virus. It is also very likely to pass through common items that have not been adequately sterilized.
The hepatitis B virus directly targets a person’s liver. cirrhosis, liver cancer, cause diseases such as jaundice, that is, liver inflammation. In general, it is cleared from the body within 6 after infection and often does not even show any symptoms, but in 20 percent of cases, the infection it causes becomes chronic.
Some of the symptoms of hepatitis B are:
- Weakness
- Tiredness
- Fatigue
- Loss of appetite
- increase in body temperature
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- dark urine
- yellowing of the skin
- eye yellowing
- Joint pain
- muscle pain
- blurred consciousness
- more frequent bleeding
These are some of the symptoms seen in cases where the person’s body is infected with the hepatitis B virus. Of these symptoms as one or more of them can be seen in different intensities Sometimes there are cases where there are no symptoms.
It is necessary to pay attention to the risk of hepatitis B in pregnant women:
If the mother has an infection caused by the hepatitis B virus, the probability of transmission to the fetus during pregnancy is quite high. Unfortunately, it is an extremely risky situation for newborns. For this reason, if we are talking about a planned pregnancy, it is recommended that the expectant mother should have a test to make sure that she does not carry hepatitis B and similar viruses. Even if you have been vaccinated before, it is useful to have it checked.
Indicating whether the person is struggling with the hepatitis B virus what is anti HBs, how many should it be, what does it mean to be positive We answered frequently asked questions such as: What we describe is for informational purposes only. Do not forget that you should get the most accurate and specific information about anti-HBs from a specialist physician, as in all health issues.