Is it contagious for someone with normal liver function to have the "big three positive" (HBsAg, HBeAg, and HBcAb)?

Jun 29, 2024 Source: Cainiu Health
Disease description:

I have chronic hepatitis B (HBeAg-positive), but my liver function tests are normal. Is it possible for someone with normal liver function and chronic hepatitis B to be contagious?

Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Yang Ziqi
Patients with "Big Three Positive" (commonly known as HBeAg-positive chronic HBV infection) remain contagious even if their liver function is normal. "Big Three Positive" refers to a status in which the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg), and hepatitis B core antibody (anti-HBc) are all positive, indicating active viral replication and stronger infectivity. The contagiousness of hepatitis B is not directly related to whether liver function is normal, but rather closely related to the activity and replication rate of the virus. The primary transmission routes of hepatitis B include bloodborne transmission, sexual transmission, and mother-to-child transmission. Therefore, even if liver function is normal, patients with "Big Three Positive" still need to take precautions to avoid transmitting the virus to others. They also require regular monitoring of liver function tests and HBV DNA levels to track disease progression.