HBsAg is the ONLY test that indicates that a woman has an active HBV infection that can be transmitted to her infant. If a woman is found to be HBsAg positive, the most useful additional test would the IgM anti-HBc with a repeat HBsAg which would tell if the woman has an acute infection or if she is chronically infected. Chronicity can also be determined by two positive HBsAg tests six months, or more, apart.

To check for Hepatitis B, the doctor will test your blood. The test will show if you have hepatitis B and how serious it is. The doctor may also do a liver biospy. A biopsy is a simple test.

We do encourage patients to bring previous tests they have undergone for the Physicians to review; however, depending on the symptoms presented the Physicians may or may not be able to use existing lab work.

If you have HBV in your blood, you can give hepatitis B to your baby. Babies who get HBV at birth may have the virus for the rest of their lives, can spread the disease, and can get cirrhosis of the liver or liver cancer.

There are at least five drugs used for the treatment of people with chronic hepatitis B: Adefovir dipivoxil, interferon alfa-2b, pegylated interferon alfa-2a, lamivudine, and entecavir.

To screen for hepatitis B infection, you will need to have a small sample of blood drawn. This blood is tested initially for the following markers of HBV infection or protection: Surface antigen (HBsAg): A positive test means a patient is infected with the hepatitis B virus and can infect others. Surface antibody (HBsAby or anti-HBs): A positive test means a person is usually immune to the hepatitis B virus and cannot infect others.

The possibility of transmission must be considered when a woman with hepatitis C is deciding whether to have children. For infants who have received the hepatitis C virus from their mother, brief elevations of liver enzymes may occur, but no chronic liver disease has been reported. There have been no reports of cirrhosis in newborns, infants or child due to mother-to-child hepatitis C infection.

The Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) is spread through contact with infected blood, through sex with an infected person, and from mother to child during childbirth. It is the most common hepatitis virus. Most adults who become infected will recover from HBV after a few months and become immune to being infected again. Others are not able to get rid of the virus and stay infected for life. Chronic HBV often leads to a scarring of the liver, called cirrhosis (sir-o-sis) and liver cancer.

Pregnant women who are infected with HBV can transmit the disease to their babies. Many of these babies develop lifelong HBV infections, and up to 25% will develop liver failure or liver cancer later in life. All pregnant women should be tested early in pregnancy to determine if they are infected with HBV. If the blood test is positive, the baby should be vaccinated at birth with two shots, one of hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIG) and one of hepatitis B vaccine.

Hepatitis A (HAV) is caused by a virus found in feces (people's stool). You can get it by coming in contact with infected feces. The most common way is by swallowing food or liquids that get contaminated by hands that are not washed thoroughly after using the toilet. You can also get Hepatitis A through sexual acts like 'rimming' (licking someone's anus) or via oral sex on a male's penis after he has had anal sex.

It is always a good idea to get screened for Hepatitis A or B antibodies before you get vaccinated to make sure you aren't already infected. Any health provider should be able to screen you or provide you with the vaccines. Some clinics will only vaccinate you if you are a certain age, if you ask, or if you are a regular patient.

You have a few options regarding Hepatitis B vaccinations. You can provide evidence of having received the series of vaccinations, or you can refuse the vaccination requirement for personal or religious reasons. If you refuse for any reason, it must be in writing. Because the health department would prefer that all local artists complete their series of shots, the department offers hepatitis B shots free of charge to any locally-licensed body art practitioner.