What is reactive hepatitis?
When this is positive or “reactive,” it means that the person has had hepatitis B infection in the past six months, indicating acute (recently acquired) hepatitis B infection.
What does hepatitis non reactive mean?
Normal results are negative or nonreactive, meaning that no hepatitis B surface antigen was found. If your test is positive or reactive, it may mean you are actively infected with HBV. In most cases this means that you will recover within 6 months.
What does hep B core reactive mean?
If this test is positive or “reactive,” then your immune system has successfully developed a protective antibody against the hepatitis B virus. This will provide long-term protection against future hepatitis B infection. Someone who is HBsAb+ is not infected and cannot pass the virus to others.
Is Hep B an STD?
Hepatitis B is a sexually transmitted disease, but it is spread in other ways, too. This is a hardy virus that can exist on almost any surface for up to one month. You can get infected through contact with an infected person’s blood or body fluids.
How do people get hepatitis?
You can get it through contact with the blood or body fluids of an infected person. In the U.S., it’s most often spread through unprotected sex. It’s also possible to get hepatitis B by sharing an infected person’s needles, razors, or toothbrush.
What foods can cause hepatitis?
You can catch hepatitis A if: You eat or drink food or water that has been contaminated by stools (feces) containing the hepatitis A virus. Unpeeled and uncooked fruits and vegetables, shellfish, ice, and water are common sources of the disease.
Who is most at risk for hepatitis?
Those individuals most at risk for hepatitis C infection are:
- People who had blood transfusions, blood products, or organ donations before June, 1992, when sensitive tests for HCV were introduced for blood screening.
- Health care workers who suffer needle-stick accidents.
Who is at risk for hepatitis B?
Although anyone can get hepatitis B, these people are at greater risk: Infants born to infected mothers. People who inject drugs or share needles, syringes, and other types of drug equipment. Sex partners of people with hepatitis B.
Who is affected by hepatitis?
Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders are the racial/ethnic groups that are most heavily affected by hepatitis B virus. Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders represent about 5% of the U.S. population, but they represent about half of all persons living with hepatitis B.
How can hepatitis be prevented?
There are many ways you can reduce your chances of getting hepatitis:
- Get the vaccines for hepatitis A and hepatitis B.
- Use a condom during sex.
- Don’t share needles to take drugs.
- Practice good personal hygiene such as thorough hand-washing with soap and water.
- Don’t use an infected person’s personal items.
Can you recover from hepatitis?
In most cases, hepatitis A does not cause a long-term or chronic infection. But it can take some time to fully get well. You may be sick for a few weeks, but it may take up to 6 months to fully recover. In some cases hepatitis A can cause severe liver damage.