Hepatitis Antibody Immunity Test in Alaska

What this test measures

Hepatitis A and hepatitis B are viral infections that affect the liver. Effective vaccines exist for both, and vaccination causes the immune system to produce protective antibodies. Immunity detection measures those antibodies to confirm that a person is protected. A separate set of tests is used when active infection is suspected, so immunity testing answers a different question than a hepatitis infection panel.

The test uses a serum sample collected from a vein. For hepatitis B, laboratories measure antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen, which reflects vaccine-induced protection, and may also report antibodies to the core antigen, which can indicate past infection. For hepatitis A, total or IgG antibody against the virus is measured. The combination helps distinguish immunity from vaccination versus immunity from prior infection.

People often order this testing before international travel, before starting a job with possible blood or body fluid exposure, or when they are unsure whether they completed a vaccine series. It may also be used to follow up after vaccination. A healthcare provider interprets the results and can advise on whether additional doses or a different test are appropriate.