Do healthy individuals need to check for hepatitis B antibodies?

Generally, healthy individuals should undergo testing for hepatitis B antibodies to prevent infection with the hepatitis B virus. The details are as follows:

Hepatitis B antibodies refer to antibodies against hepatitis B virus. Common types include surface antibody (HBsAb), e-antibody (HBeAb), and core antibody (HBcAb). These tests help determine whether protective antibodies are present on the hepatitis B surface and whether there has been an infection with the hepatitis B virus. Although healthy individuals who have received the hepatitis B vaccine usually develop surface antibodies, these antibodies do not last for life. Furthermore, because hepatitis B virus can be transmitted through various routes—such as blood, mother-to-child transmission, and sexual contact—it is generally recommended to periodically check hepatitis B antibody levels to confirm whether infection has occurred and to assess whether surface antibody levels have weakened over time.

Once hepatitis B infection occurs, patients are advised to actively pursue antiviral treatment under a doctor's guidance to help alleviate clinical symptoms and promote recovery.