Is it normal to have four negative and one positive result in the five hepatitis B tests?
May 10, 2023
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Jiang Weimin
Introduction
Whether "four negative and one positive" in hepatitis B testing is normal depends on the results of the quantitative HBV DNA test. If the hepatitis B core antibody is positive while the other four markers are negative, or if the hepatitis B surface antigen is positive while the other four are negative, this indicates hepatitis B virus infection and a quantitative HBV DNA test is required. A negative result in this test is considered normal. A positive result indicates an active hepatitis B infection and is therefore abnormal.
Whether having four negative and one positive result in the hepatitis B panel is normal depends on the results of the hepatitis B virus DNA quantitative test. The specific analysis is as follows:
1. Normal
If only the hepatitis B core antibody is positive while the other four markers are negative, or if only the hepatitis B surface antigen is positive with the remaining four negative, this indicates that the body has been infected with the hepatitis B virus, and a further hepatitis B virus DNA quantitative test is needed. If the DNA test result is negative, it means the person is not a hepatitis B carrier, which is considered normal.
2. Abnormal
If the hepatitis B core antibody is positive and the other four markers are negative, or if the hepatitis B surface antigen is positive and the other four are negative, and the hepatitis B virus DNA quantitative test result is positive, this indicates the presence of hepatitis B virus in the body, meaning the individual is infected with hepatitis B, which is considered abnormal.
Hepatitis B virus carriers should regularly visit the hospital for checkups—including the hepatitis B panel, liver function tests, and liver ultrasound—under a doctor's guidance to monitor disease progression.
