Regarding Hep.B Infection.

Hello, I work in public health and work with Hepatitis clients. (Hep A,B,C) Someone who has chronic Hepatitis B infection is someone with a positive Hepatitis B surface antigen for greater than a six month period from the onset of acute infection. Usually Hepatitis B chronic carriers will have the following profile. 1. Hepatitis B surface AG positive, 2. Hepatitis B core antibody Positive 3. sometimes there will the Hepatitis "E" antigen positive (as with clients that are considered to be "highly infectious". The anti-HBs will NEVER be positive in clients who are chronic carriers. HBS ab is an antibody that develops with only 2 circumstances. First, is with Hepatitis B vaccination. Someone who receives the Hep B vaccine should have a positive HBS AB as their only positive marker through Hepatitis B profile testing which should be done within 1-2 mos after completing the 3 shot series. The series should be given a (each injection) at 0,1,6 mos. Secondly, someone who has recovered from Hepatitis B infection, which by the way is about 90% of those that get infected as adults will have the following profile for the rest of their life: Positive Hepatitis B Surface Antibody and Positive Hepatitis B core AB. The Hepatitis B surface antibody will never develop in someone with the disease until the Hepatitis B surface Antigen is below the levels of detection (negative).

2. Yes, some people do remain healthy throughout their lives who have chronic Hepatitis B infection, but also many others go on to develop long-term liver problems. Interferon is being used with some success for treating clients with chronic Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C infection.