Dear @Anon2023 ,
Hepatitis A AB, total is a test for the presence of hepatitis A antibodies, which you will have if you ever had hepatitis A in the past. This is the case for you but please realize hepatitis A is a very different virus from a different viral family. While it can cause liver inflammation over a period of weeks to a few months, it never becomes chronic and has no long term health effects.
Best regards,
OK wonderful thank you @availlant so if I don’t have symptoms it does not mean I’m actively infected and I just had it previously? I never even knew I did, wow lol
Dear @Anon2023 ,
Hepatitis A does not have a membrane like HBV, only a protein shell (capsid) similar to other non-enveloped viruses like rhinovirus (the most frequent cause of the common cold).
So the HAV Ab test is really testing for HAV core antigen (HAcAg) IgG and IgM.
Here the IgM variant of the antibody is only produced early in the infection but IgG variant is made chronically, even after resolution of the infection.
For HBV, it has a capsid like HAV but it is further enveloped by a membrane (where HBsAg lies).
So for everyone who has acute infection, they will test HBV core antigen (HBcAg) IgM positive but IgG negative.
For everyone who develops chronic HBV, they will test positive for HBcAg IgG but negative for HBcAg IgM.
For everyone who has achieved functional cure of HBV (either self resolution from acute infection or from treatment), they will still test positive for HBcAg IgG.
@availlant ok so if I’m understanding correctly I’ll continue to test “reactive” for Hepatitis A for the rest of my life, even if I don’t currently have it or have any symptoms?
Dear @Anon2023 ,
Correct except that you are not reactive for the hepatitis A virus itself, but for the immune response your body generated when it was fighting the infection.
Ok thanks so much @availlant I never even knew I had Hepatitis A! So does this mean if I don’t have any current Hep A symptoms then I’m OK and should not worry?
I have no idea at what stage in my life I even had Hepatitis A! I was just looking at my last years blood work for my Hepatitis B viral load because I want to get new blood work this year as well to monitor it on a yearly basis and then saw the Hepatitis A results and was so shocked lol, I never even noticed it last year when I got my Hep B viral load test. I was more concerned about my Hep B viral load results so the Hep A results went over my head. I grew up in a 3rd world country and was susceptible to a lot…thanks again sir, your expertise is so greatly appreciated.
Dear @Anon2023 ,
Yes, you should not worry.
Contracting HAV is quite common in Asia and other third world countries.
It is easy to contract through contact, or even contaminated water or ice.
You are right to be more focused on your HBV infection status.
Thank you! My country is intermediate, and borders a high country. I appreciate the information, sir! And yes, I did not previously focus much on my HBV infection but I’m making an effort to ensure that I monitor myself regularly. Last year my viral load was low, so I’m praying it will be the case this year again.
Hi @Anon2023,
Detectable HAV antibodies can also be an indication that you were once vaccinated against HAV, but agree that your chronic HBV infection should be monitored as a priority. Please keep us up to date with how your tests go!
Thomas
Thanks @ThomasTu I appreciate your input, this is such a helpful and wonderful community!
