Hep b results

[nos1010]

Hello,

I have a question about my hep b serology results. I was under the impression I have a chronic infection but the results of my blood test which was taken two days ago are confusing to me, as they indicate that I am immune and that I have cleared a past infection.  

My doctor told my that I am immune to the virus and that I cannot transmit the virus to another person. I'm now questioning if I have even been chronically infected, as 6 years ago when I was told I was chronic my doctor was not 100% sure and he said it might be chronic. I believe that when I was tested back then, I also did not have enough time to pass the infection.

I have also read that in some cases it can take longer than 6 months to clear the virus and create surface anti bodies (HBsAb).

I am unsure if I have had the anti bodies in the past but I do have them now. I'm wondering if a chronic sufferer can have the HbsAb and still be a chronic sufferer?

Results - 20/11/2017:  
HBsAg: negative
HBsAb: 140 IU/L
HBcAb: positive  

I have done research into the interpretation of These results and I’m lead to believe that the presence of HBsAb and a negative HBsAg shows I am immune and that I cannot infect others with the disease.

Does this mean I am cured and not a chronic hep be sufferer?
  

Thanks for reading, and any help will be much appreciated.

[Bm2016]

yes, exact as stephen said, there is no fully cured for hep b infection at the moment, even with today's best advanced medicine and technology, we can not fully evict this virus yet.  the best we can do is functional cured as your current state, the hep b/cccDNA will likely stay in "dormant state" inside the liver until death.

[nos1010]

Thanks for your response, so to be clear this is the same with a person that recovers from an acute infection and chronic infection? For both would still leave behind ccc/DNA?

Thanks!

[Bm2016]

yes,  the blood test HBcAB positive is a permanent marker in blood that indicates past exposure or current hep b infection, for both acute and chronic. in your case, you have recovered from the hep b infection, but not completely off the hook yet, as stephen said, watch out for the immune suppression therapy, such as chemo, radiation, or even over the counter and prescription medicine/beauty product that contains sterile, still need to take good care of the liver, eat healthy diet and exercise.  as you know, even people with no hbv can still get cirrhosis and end stage hcc liver cancer.

[nos1010]

Thanks for the great info!

[nos1010]

Can anyone else confirm that Stephens interpretation is correct?

[StephenCastlecrag]

Yes, you are now cured/recovered from a previous HBV infection (acute or chronic, because your HBcAb is positive). You are not infectious. Just be careful and inform your doctor if you were to undergo any therapy that may affect your immune system for other causes (such as arthritis).

[nos1010]

Hi Stephen, thanks for your response. Am I still classed as a carrier or an inactive infection? Why is it important for me to be carful when undergoing immune therapy, could the infection come back?

Thanks for your response.

[StephenCastlecrag]

No, you should not be classified as a carrier as you are HBsAg negative. Furthermore you should have very little or no circulating HBV virions. Even if you have some blood circulating HBV virions, they would be covered by HBsAb and cannot infect your own liver cells or other person's if transmitted.
However, curent theory suggests that you have some residual cccDNA in some of your liver cells. The cccDNA activities are suppressed by your own immune system. For some recovered HBV patients, a course of immuno-suppressive therapy(e.g. after an organ transplant) may cause your HBV to flare up again. As a precaution, your doctors may prescribe short-course antivirals as a prophylaxis.

[nos1010]

Hi Stephen.

Thank you very much for your detailed response. I’m very lucky to have passed my chronic infection I cannot explain how good it feels to no longer need to worry about liver damage.