How is Hepatitis B detected?
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is the causative agent for hepatitis B, a serious liver disease. In some people, hepatitis can occur for a short term, which is called acute hepatitis. In some people, infection can be chronic and last more than six months. Chronic hepatitis is dangerous because it can lead to liver cirrhosis, cancer, and liver failure. Timely diagnosis of the disease and precaution can help with proper treatment and prevent the spread of the disease to other people. In this article, we’ll explore how hepatitis B is detected.
Diagnosis of Hepatitis B
A healthcare provider may order tests for a hepatitis B diagnosis based on the symptoms, family history, and medical and physical examination. Symptoms associated with hepatitis B infection include dark urine, tiredness, fever, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, joint pain, grey or clay-coloured stool, and jaundice. The tests recommended for the lab diagnosis of hepatitis B include:
- Blood tests: blood tests for hepatitis B testing include testing of hepatitis antigens, antibodies, or genetic material of the HBV. High levels of the proteins of the hepatitis virus in the blood can be present in both acute and chronic infections. These blood tests detect the signs of HBV in the body and suggest whether the infection is acute or chronic. Blood tests can also be helpful in assessing a person's immunity against the virus due to the vaccination or recovery from a past infection.
- Liver ultrasound: To diagnose liver damage associated with hepatitis B, a special type of ultrasound called transient elastography is performed. In this ultrasound, liver stiffness is measured in patients suffering from chronic liver disease. This non-invasive technique uses pulse-echo ultrasound acquisition to evaluate the stiffness of the liver and liver fibrosis.
- Liver biopsy: if blood tests and ultrasounds of the liver suggest infection and damage to the liver, then the doctor might suggest a liver biopsy to diagnose the extent of liver damage. During a liver biopsy, a thin needle is directly inserted into the liver and a small liver sample is removed. The sample removed is then sent to the laboratory for analysis of the abnormal liver cells and the extent of damage.
Conclusion
A timely diagnosis of hepatitis B can help in controlling the spread of the disease and preventing further damage to the liver. Blood tests are recommended to detect hepatitis B, while a liver ultrasound and biopsy are done to assess the extent of damage to the liver. Currently, there is no treatment that can completely eliminate HBV; therefore, precautions should be taken to prevent the disease. Having a health insurance plan that covers diagnostic tests for hepatitis B diagnosis and treatment can be helpful.