What is anti-HBs, how much should it be? What does high and low anti-HBs value mean?
What is Anti-HBS?
The presence of HBs antibodies indicates that the body has been exposed to the hepatitis B virus through infection or vaccination. If someone has never had this disease and has never been vaccinated against it, it is normal for these antibodies to be undetectable.
The World Health Organization estimates that 257 million people worldwide suffer from chronic infection with the hepatitis B virus (HBV). In 2015, about 900,000 people died from hepatitis B, including cirrhosis or liver cancer. However, it is possible to prevent hepatitis B with safe and effective vaccines.
Hepatitis B is a liver disease. It can be transmitted through sexual intercourse, contact with blood, mother-to-mother transmission by a virus (hepatitis B virus or HBV) found in bodily fluids (blood, semen, vaginal secretions, etc.).
How much should anti-HBS be?
If vaccinated, the HBs level should ideally be above 10 mIU/ml in adult males and females. Even without vaccination, immunity is considered acquired when the anti-HBs level exceeds 100 IU/l in adults. It may have been acquired after acute hepatitis B.
In nine out of ten cases, infected adults experience no symptoms. When the disease manifests itself, the symptoms are jaundice, stool discoloration, fatigue, and discomfort that can last for several months. It is based on the detection and presence of components of the virus, in particular the antigen (Ag) HBs (HBs for hepatitis B and S for the surface antigen found in the envelope of the hepatitis B virus). indirect markers, which are antibodies against viral proteins. The presence of the HBs antigen, if at least 6 months old, indicates a chronic form of hepatitis B.
What does a high anti-HBS value mean?
Hepatitis B can be detected with a simple blood test, which your doctor or clinic can order. This is the serological profile of the hepatitis B virus. This analysis can be done in your doctor’s office.
Three analyzes are included in this serological profile. Sometimes the doctor may order a repeat test six months after the initial visit to confirm the results.
If you think you have recently contracted the hepatitis B virus, it can take up to nine weeks for the virus to be detected in your blood. Understanding the results of your blood test can be complicated, especially since you want to be sure of the diagnosis. If the values are high, it means that there is a disease.
A blood sample is sufficient for the serological profile of the hepatitis B virus. The profile includes three analyzes necessary to make a definitive diagnosis:
● HBsAg (hepatitis B virus surface antigen)
● HBsAb or anti-HBs (hepatitis B virus surface antibody)
● HBcAb or anti-HBc (hepatitis B virus core antibody)
What does anti-HBS disorder mean?
A positive or “reactive” HBsAg result means you are infected with the hepatitis B virus. This can be an acute infection or a chronic infection. Infected people can pass on the virus through their blood. A positive or reactive anti-HBs result means you have responded well to the hepatitis B vaccine or have already recovered from acute hepatitis B. This result means you are immune (with negative HbsAg), meaning you are protected against possible future infections with the hepatitis B virus.
A positive or reactive HBsAg test result means the person has been infected with the hepatitis B virus, which can be an “acute” or “chronic” infection. Infected people can transmit the virus to others through their blood. Anti-HBs antibodies are directed against the HBs antigen, the envelope of the hepatitis B virus; they can inactivate this virus and thus prevent infection. If anti-HBc antibodies cannot be detected in the serum, the hypothesis of hepatitis B virus infection can be rejected. The vaccination program may need to be completed.
