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Posted 9/7/2013 4:08 PM (GMT 0)
what does that mean? and what is the next step to take?

hep b surface antigen- positive,
antibody to hep b surface antigen- non reactive
hep b virus e antigen- non reactive.
hep b virus dna-13,049 copies/mL
Posted 9/7/2013 5:02 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, Sunny, and welcome to the forum. I am not very familiar with hep B or its lab results. Some here are, so wait for them to interpret them for you. (Barry, where are you?) It does appear that you are NOT contagious and the chances of you infecting others is nonexistent.

Have you had any treatment? Have you been vaccinated against hep B?

Hep C is a blood borne virus, but hep B is spread both through blood and body fluids, similar to HIV/AIDS. Do protect yourself and don't have unprotected sex.

Please see a hepatologist for further information.

Hugs,
Connie
Posted 9/7/2013 7:10 PM (GMT 0)
hello, thank you for your reply... i dont know when i contracted it. i just took various tests for a visa application, about 4 weeks ago and hep b was the only positive... given all the above(4) results, my doctor says that i am not infectious. and now you are telling me something else. i am starting to worry again. could you please interpret what these results actually mean, i really want to understand what i am dealing with. "antibody to hep b surface antigen- non reactive
hep b virus e antigen- non reactive."
as soon as i got the results 4 weeks ago, i started being really careful about everything, can not do any exercise because i am scared if any one comes in contact with my sweat they will get infected, i cant even let anyone hold me when i cry coz i am scared i might infect them... everything just changed and i started to cave my self and keep to myself... when i got the above 2 results today i was relieved coz my doctor said i was going to be fine. was he wrong?
Posted 9/7/2013 8:37 PM (GMT 0)
Sunny, I was going by the surface antigen being positive and the number of your viral load. However, I am no expert when it comes to either lab results or hep B. Some of our members are very knowledgeable about lab results , so wait for them to chime in.

You don't have to worry about infecting others. I am sorry that I misspoke and have edited my posts.

Hugs,
Connie
Posted 9/7/2013 9:05 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you connie, no i havent had any treatment, could it be that my body is fighting against it? i dont know, let me wait for the others who have knowledge about it... but i will still be careful so that no one around me is in danger untill i get my facts straight... going to make sure everyone i know gets tested and gets a vaccine... still awaiting more replies. thank you.
Posted 9/7/2013 9:31 PM (GMT 0)
Sunny, I do know that it's very possible that you were exposed to hep B, but that your immune system kicked it out. In that case, though, you should have a positive antibody for it. This happened to me. When I was diagnosed positive for hep C, I was told that I had contracted hep B (around the same time), but that my body had kicked it out. I have the antibody for it, so will always test positive, but I can't get it or give it to others...other than through a different strain of the virus. I really don't worry about it, since my hep C is still active and that's what I am aware of. I'm fortunate that it's blood-borne, so not so easy to infect others. I just keep others away from my blood if I cut myself. If it were to be a large cut, I have lots of disposable gloves on hand.

I think you can relax, Sunny, but you should get more info. Was it a hepatologist who diagnosed you?

Hugs,
Connie
Posted 9/7/2013 10:36 PM (GMT 0)
well i wouldnt call him that, he's just a family doctor... maybe i should have more tests done. just to be on the safe side... sorry about the hep C Connie... i never cared about hepatitis until i had to travel over seas, all this is new to me, its sad how its not pronounced as much as HIV yet it kills faster and is highly infectious
Posted 9/7/2013 10:51 PM (GMT 0)
     hi sunny,    your surface antigen positive is ongoing hep b infection.

          dna is your viral load.

          "E" antigen is released into the blood when the virus is actively replicating.  E that is negative is indicative of minimal damage and infectivity.  some strains in the mid east and asia dont make E antigen. 

  you need to be monitored on a regular basis.  still be careful with others.   it is always a good idea to vaccinate household members for A and B

                    barry

Posted 9/7/2013 11:01 PM (GMT 0)
thanks barry but is there a way i can get rid of it? do i need to take meds or something?
Posted 9/7/2013 11:30 PM (GMT 0)
if this is an early infection, your dr can monitor blood results, to see if you develop antibodies. 95% of adult infectios resolve on their own. there are also antivirals your dr can order. interferon, entecavir, tenefovir, lamivudine,and adefovir are common txs.
best to you barry
Posted 9/8/2013 3:01 AM (GMT 0)
Barry, thanks very much for your input. I was confused myself. Felt sure that she did have an HBV infection, but then the other negative results convinced me otherwise.

Hugs,
Connie
Posted 9/8/2013 9:14 AM (GMT 0)
okay just one more questions, i know i have to do other tests apart from the one i did to be sure of my status could you name them? because i know that the hep b virus e antigen- non reactive is a good one, i know that if it is non reactive then the virus isnt replicating its self which should mean that the number of the copies in the dna will either stay that number or they will reduce, not sure if it also means that i am not infectious and not a threat to society. but antibody to hep b surface antigen- non reactive, thats not so good, coz if it is non reactive then my body isnt fighting against it, so do i have to take any medicine to make it reactive? and am sure there are other additional tests i can take to be completely sure of my status, what tests are those. i do not mean to defy my doctor but i am sure if i take these other tests and show him the results he will have a more informed reason to make the decision that i am going to be okay, i dont want to move on thinking maybe it could become reactive someday and start silently taking my life or something like that.
Posted 9/8/2013 5:52 PM (GMT 0)
your dr is doing the right tests. you have hepatitus b infection. there are no tests that will tell you 100%, what your status is. dont be lulled to sleep with a negative E antigen. the E antigen from strains outside the US, are NOT good markers for replication, and infectivity.
the best thing YOU can do is, change your life style. eliminate foods, meds, alcohol. practice safe sex and vaccinate your family. take a positive approach with your dr, use a team approach where he/she explains everything to you, and you follow thru
barry
Posted 9/8/2013 6:30 PM (GMT 0)
okay.
Posted 9/8/2013 6:51 PM (GMT 0)
I would go one step further, Sunny. I would ask for a referral to a hepatologist or a GI doc who specializes in liver disease for a second opinion...but actually to be under the care of one of these. Primary care docs/family physicians know next to nothing about liver disease.

As far as diet, eliminate beef (the most difficult protein for the liver to process) and use fish/well-cooked shell fish for protein. You can also have poultry, but be careful to clean surfaces that raw chicken has been on. (Rinse the chicken, too, and remove skin. Eat beans for protein, also. I love chick peas (garbanzos.) I use low-sodium ones, then wash them thoroughly in a colander. I use them in salads and also roast them in olive oil with crushed red pepper. Yummy! Eat lots of fruit and veggies, making sure to wash the fruit and scrub the veggies with firm skin (get a vegetable brush.) Thoroughly rinse fresh spinach and lettuce (even the bagged kind.) You will want to prevent a GI infection, such as E-coli. Drink pure water (I like spring water.) Eat "clean." Follow a low-sodium diet.

Hugs,
Connie
Posted 9/9/2013 8:00 PM (GMT 0)
thank you so much dear connie for the diet tips, God bless you, today i went to another lab and had them do a hep b profile on my blood. my guess is that the disease is in its early stages so we cant know much but if i keep monitoring it i will know what approach to take with the treatment... i havent heard of any hepatologists here in my country, my dad is trying to look out for one, so until then i not only depend on the family doctor but also on research. and you and barry. God bless u both

Post Edited By Moderator (hep93) : 9/9/2013 3:47:39 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 9/9/2013 9:48 PM (GMT 0)
What country are you in? How about a gastroenterologist (GI doc?)

Hugs,
Connie
Posted 9/9/2013 10:45 PM (GMT 0)
hi sunny, like i said, 95% of adult onset hep b will clear spontaneously. your family dr can handle the monitoring. your looking for anti bodies to appear and hbsag to turn negative. stay healthy during this window phase. if by chance your virus becomes chronic, you will need a dr that can manage your liver disease. you will need a dr to run extensive bloodwork, an ultrasound, and biopsy to assess your damage and put a treatment plan together. i bet you clear it on your own

barry
Posted 9/10/2013 10:31 AM (GMT 0)
i believe i can clear it on my own, will keep a healthy lifestyle. and keep monitoring it. Connie I am in Uganda.
Posted 9/11/2013 12:33 AM (GMT 0)
Best to you Sunny!

Hugs,

Mama Lama

Posted 9/11/2013 10:23 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you mamaLama
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