What to do to check for hepatitis B
Hepatitis B (hepatitis B) is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV), and early diagnosis and treatment are crucial to preventing cirrhosis and liver cancer. This article will introduce in detail the items that need to be done to check for hepatitis B and help you fully understand the hepatitis B testing process.
1. Main items of hepatitis B examination
Hepatitis B tests usually include serological tests, liver function tests, imaging tests, and virological tests. The following are specific inspection items:
| Check items | Check content | clinical significance |
|---|---|---|
| Hepatitis B five items (Hepatitis B two and a half) | HBsAg, HBsAb, HBeAg, HBeAb, HBcAb | Determine whether you are infected with hepatitis B virus and the infection status |
| liver function test | ALT, AST, total bilirubin, albumin, etc. | Assess whether liver function is impaired |
| HBV-DNA detection | Hepatitis B virus DNA quantification | Detect virus replication activity |
| Liver B-ultrasound | Liver shape, size, echo, etc. | Observe the liver for lesions or cirrhosis |
| Liver fibrosis testing | FibroScan, APRI score, etc. | Assess the degree of liver fibrosis or cirrhosis |
2. Specific interpretation of the five items of hepatitis B
The five items of hepatitis B are the core items of hepatitis B examination. The following are the clinical significance of each indicator:
| Indicator name | Positive meaning | negative meaning |
|---|---|---|
| HBsAg (surface antigen) | Infection with hepatitis B virus | Not infected with hepatitis B virus |
| HBsAb (surface antibody) | Immunity to hepatitis B virus | No immunity, need to be vaccinated |
| HBeAg (e antigen) | The virus replicates actively and is highly contagious | Virus replication is inactive |
| HBeAb (e antibody) | Virus replication weakens and infectivity decreases | The virus may still be replicating |
| HBcAb (core antibody) | Have been infected or are currently infected with hepatitis B virus | Not infected with hepatitis B virus |
3. The Importance of Liver Function Tests
Liver function tests can reflect the health of the liver. The following are common liver function indicators and their normal ranges:
| Indicator name | normal range | abnormal meaning |
|---|---|---|
| ALT (alanine aminotransferase) | 0-40U/L | liver cell damage |
| AST (Aspartate Aminotransferase) | 0-40U/L | liver cell or heart muscle damage |
| total bilirubin | 3.4-17.1 μmol/L | Cholestasis or hemolysis |
| Albumin | 35-55g/L | Decreased liver function and synthetic capacity |
4. The significance of HBV-DNA detection
HBV-DNA detection is an important indicator to judge the activity of hepatitis B virus replication. The higher the viral load, the more contagious it is and the greater the risk of liver damage. The following is the clinical grading of HBV-DNA test results:
| Viral load (IU/mL) | clinical significance |
|---|---|
| <20 | No virus detected, replication inactive |
| 20-2000 | Low viral load, requires close monitoring |
| 2000-20000 | Moderate viral load, possible liver damage |
| >20000 | High viral load, highly contagious, requiring treatment |
5. The role of imaging examinations
Imaging examinations such as liver B-ultrasound and FibroScan can help doctors intuitively understand the shape and structure of the liver. The following are common examination items and their functions:
| Check items | function |
|---|---|
| Liver B-ultrasound | Observe the size, shape, and echo of the liver to detect space-occupying lesions. |
| FibroScan | Non-invasive assessment of liver fibrosis and cirrhosis |
| CT/MRI | Further clarify the nature of liver disease |
6. Precautions before inspection
In order to ensure the accuracy of the test results, you need to pay attention to the following points before conducting a hepatitis B test:
1.Fasting requirements:Liver function tests and HBV-DNA testing usually require fasting for 8-12 hours.
2.Avoid alcohol:Avoid drinking alcohol 3 days before the test to avoid affecting liver function results.
3.Notice of discontinuation of medication:If you are taking any medications, you need to inform your doctor in advance. Some medications may interfere with test results.
4.To relax:Keep your mood stable and avoid strenuous exercise before the examination.
7. Summary
Hepatitis B examination is a systematic process that can comprehensively evaluate the infection status, liver function and virus activity through five hepatitis B items, liver function, HBV-DNA and imaging examinations. Early detection and standardized treatment are the keys to controlling hepatitis B. If you are at risk of hepatitis B infection or have related symptoms, it is recommended to seek medical examination promptly.
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