Hepatitis B infection

This test examines whether HBsAg can be detected. (hepatitis Bs-antigen) ( serum)

Hepatitis Bs antigen is a part of the hepatitis B virus. A positive result indicates infection with the virus. The test is also called "hepatitis B surface antigen''.

For the infectious diseases that are subject to a reporting obligation, we are obliged to report a positive result to your local GGD (more information).

Hepatitis B is a contagious disease. People get it through a virus. The hepatitis B virus can cause an inflammation of the liver. Sometimes this can have serious consequences.

People can have hepatitis B for a long time without noticing it.
Long-term inflammation of the liver can cause severe damage to the liver.

The symptoms can be:

• very tired
• little appetite for food
• fever
• a feeling like you have the flu
• yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes
• dark urine
• light colored stools (gray-white)
• pain in the upper abdomen on the right side

You can already be carrying the virus and be contagious before you have any symptoms, or even without any symptoms at all. You remain contagious until the virus has left your body. You can become infected through contact with infected blood or unsafe sex.

• If infected blood gets into a wound.
• If infected blood gets on mucous membrane of for example the eyes or mouth.
• By pricking yourself with used needles, infected blood gets into the wound.
• By biting or being bitten, when there is blood in saliva and it gets into a wound or on mucous membrane.
• By getting a tattoo or piercing that does not use clean needles.
• A pregnant woman infected with the hepatitis B virus can infect her baby during delivery.
• Blood can sometimes be found on very ordinary things without you noticing it. For example, a razor or a toothbrush. In a family, these items are sometimes used together.
• The virus is found in semen, pre-cum and fluids from the vagina. A person can become infected during sex, without the protection of a condom.
• Saliva that shows blood can also be a risk during sex contact.

The virus cannot be transmitted by ordinary contact such as giving someone a hand, hug or kiss.
The virus is also not transmitted by using dishes or cutlery together, or using the same toilet.

Anyone who has not had the disease can become infected and get sick.
Sex partners and roommates of someone with hepatitis B are more likely to be infected. It is important that their blood be tested to see if they are also infected with the virus. If they are not infected by the hepatitis B virus, they can be protected by getting vaccinated.

There is a vaccination to prevent the disease. This vaccination is included in the National Vaccination Program. Children receive this vaccination when they are 6 weeks old and the vaccinations are repeated at 3, 4 and 11 months. If you want to know whether you are protected as a result of an immunization, you can take the Hepatitis B Immunization test. This is also used for people who need to measure whether the vaccination program worked at the end of a vaccination program for their job (for example, if you work in health care).

If you are pregnant, your blood will be tested for hepatitis B. This happens to everyone in the Netherlands. If the pregnant woman is infected with the hepatitis B virus, the baby is given an injection immediately after birth. This injection contains substances that immediately protect the baby against hepatitis B. The baby then receives a series of inoculations to build up its own resistance. These vaccinations are given at the health clinic.

Hepatitis B usually goes away by itself. Sometimes the virus remains in the body. What causes this is not known. This is called chronic hepatitis B.
Most people have no symptoms. But they are contagious to others. The virus can sometimes damage the liver, even later in life. People who continue to carry the virus should get regular check-ups.

Hepatitis B is contagious even before someone develops symptoms. The symptoms usually last a few weeks. It can also last longer, up to 3 months. The time between getting infected and getting sick is 1 to 6 months.

If you have no symptoms, it is best to test three months after your last risk sex contact.
To determine if you have an infection with HIV, Syphilis or Hepatitis (because an STI rarely comes alone, it is wise to also get tested for other STIs).
Testing for HIV, Syphilis and Hepatitis B is repeated three months after your last high-risk sex contact to make sure you did not get these infections. If you were at high risk for HIV, this test will be repeated sooner.
Note that if you have an STI you can pass it on to someone else during the three-month period. Keep this period free!

If an infection is contracted, the result of the Hepatitis B test usually becomes positive 2 to 3 months after. When someone contracts an STI, it takes a while for a test to detect the STI. During this period, the STD can already be transmitted to sex partners.