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What does a positive hepatitis B result in a physical examination report mean?

Mar 17, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Yang Ziqi
Introduction
Under normal circumstances, "Yigan" (乙肝) refers to the hepatitis B virus. The meaning of a positive hepatitis B virus result on a medical exam report needs to be determined based on specific circumstances. If it is a positive hepatitis B surface antigen, it usually indicates infection with the hepatitis B virus; however, if it is a positive hepatitis B surface antibody, it indicates that the body's immune system has produced protective antibodies.

Generally, a positive result for hepatitis B in a physical examination report refers to the detection of markers indicating hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in tests related to chronic hepatitis B. This may involve one or more of the following indicators: hepatitis B surface antigen, surface antibody, e antigen, e antibody, or core antibody. A positive result for each indicator has a different significance. The details are as follows:

1. Positive Hepatitis B Antigen

This indicates the presence of the outer shell protein of the hepatitis B virus in the patient's body, usually suggesting a latent hepatitis virus infection, which could be acute or chronic.

2. Positive Hepatitis B Surface Antibody

This indicates that the patient has previously been infected with hepatitis B virus but has recovered, with the virus cleared from the body and immunity developed. It could also be due to vaccination against hepatitis B virus, indicating that the patient is immune to HBV.

3. Positive Hepatitis B e Antigen

This typically indicates active replication of the hepatitis B virus in the body, with strong infectivity. At this stage, the virus replicates vigorously, posing a relatively higher risk of liver damage, thus requiring close monitoring of indicators such as liver function.

4. Positive Hepatitis B e Antibody

This generally appears during the recovery phase of hepatitis B virus infection, indicating reduced replication activity of the virus and decreased infectivity. However, in some special cases, such as when the hepatitis B virus mutates, even if this indicator is positive, the virus might still be replicating extensively, so comprehensive judgment based on other tests is necessary.

5. Positive Hepatitis B Core Antibody

A positive result for this indicator indicates past or current infection with hepatitis B virus. If only this indicator is positive, it may suggest a previous infection with HBV.

If a physical examination reveals a positive result for hepatitis B virus, there is no need to panic or worry excessively. Actively cooperating with further examinations and treatments recommended by doctors, and maintaining an optimistic attitude, will help in achieving recovery from the disease sooner.

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