hepb-testing period

[Jameszz]

Hello if you got tested 5 months and some days after exposure to hbv and it was negative. Is it most likely you dont have hbv? I know the window period is up to 6 months but with hiv i know most people seroconvert way before the 3 month window same for hbv? Thanks help ease my mind with ur answers, need alot of anwers!!!

[cajim]

If your hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBs) is already positive your immune system already has the upper hand and you are cleared.

[Jameszz]

Well, my hep b panel tested also for hepatitis b core igm antibody and that was non-reactive also and I thought that is the reliable marker for hepatitis infection left within the window period? Thanks for all ur help http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:HBV_serum_markers.png
am i correct? thanks-jz

[cajim]

If you for sure were exposed to HepB then you hope to test positive for hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBs).  The "window period" just means the period when your HBsAg has cleared (negative) but your anti-HBs has not yet become detectable (still negative).