Viral Hepatitis

Question 1

What does the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) tell you?

Answer 1

If the patient is currently infectious

Question 2

What does the antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs) tell you?

Answer 2

Is the patient immune

Question 3

What does the antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (total anti-HBc) tell you?

Answer 3

Has the patient been exposed to the virus

Question 4

What does the IgM anti-HBc tell you?

Answer 4

Has the patient been recently exposed (acute infection)