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Does this test have other names?
IgM anti-HAV, HAV-Ab IgM, HAV-Ab IgG, Anti-HAV
What is this test?
This test looks for antibodies in your blood. The test can find out if you are infected with the hepatitis A virus (HAV).
Hepatitis is an inflammation of your liver, often caused by an infection. Most hepatitis infections are caused by 1 of 5 viruses: hepatitis A, B, C, D, or E. Because the symptoms of all of these infections are similar, this blood test can tell your healthcare provider which type of virus you may have.
Your immune system makes antibodies when you are first infected with HAV. It can take 14 to 50 days to develop symptoms of hepatitis A after you become infected. The average time to get symptoms after you are infected is 30 days. Antibodies often begin to appear in your blood 5 to 10 days before you start having symptoms. They can stay in your blood for about 6 months after the infection. Some antibodies called IgG can last in your blood for life.
You can get HAV by eating or drinking a food or beverage contaminated with the virus. The virus is also in the bowel movements of infected people. So you could get infected by coming in contact with someone who has the infection. In rare cases, you can get the virus from a contaminated needle.
HAV infection often goes away on its own in a few weeks or months. Once you have had HAV, you will likely never have it again. This is called having immunity to the infection.
Why do I need this test?
You may need this test if your healthcare provider believes you may have a liver infection caused by HAV. Your provider may order this test if you have symptoms of HAV and you have a history that puts you at risk for being in contact with the virus. Risk factors for HAV include:
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Traveling to a country with high rates of HAV infection
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Having contact with or eating contaminated food
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Being in close contact with a person who has HAV
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Having sex with someone infected with HAV
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Being a man who has sex with men
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Working at a healthcare or daycare center
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Sharing needles for IV (intravenous) drug use
Symptoms of HAV often start suddenly and may include:
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Extreme tiredness (fatigue)
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Nausea
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Vomiting
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Stomachache
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Fever
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Light gray or clay-colored stools
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Yellow color of skin, eyes (jaundice)
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Dark-colored urine
Some people, especially children, may have HAV without symptoms.
What other tests might I have along with this test?
Your healthcare provider may also check for antibodies to other types of hepatitis viruses. You may need other blood tests to check how your liver is working. Other tests for HAV are available, but the HAV antibody test is considered to be the most accurate.
What do my test results mean?
Test results may vary depending on your age, gender, health history, and other things. Your test results may be different depending on the lab used. They may not mean you have a problem. Ask your healthcare provider what your test results mean for you.
Normal results are negative or nonreactive, meaning that you don't have the hepatitis A antibodies in your blood.
If your test is positive or reactive, it may mean:
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You have an active HAV infection
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You have had an HAV infection in the past
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You have gotten the hepatitis A vaccine
How is this test done?
The test is done with a blood sample. A needle is used to draw blood from a vein in your arm or hand.
Does this test pose any risks?
Having a blood test with a needle carries some risks. These include bleeding, infection, bruising, and feeling lightheaded. When the needle pricks your arm or hand, you may feel a slight sting or pain. Afterward, the site may be sore.
What might affect my test results?
No other factors can affect your results.
How do I get ready for this test?
You don't need to prepare for this test.Be sure your healthcare provider knows about all medicines, herbs, vitamins, and supplements you are taking. This includes medicines that don't need a prescription and any illegal drugs you may use.
Online Medical Reviewer:Chad Haldeman-Englert MD
Online Medical Reviewer:L Renee Watson MSN RN
Online Medical Reviewer:Tara Novick BSN MSN
Date Last Reviewed:8/1/2022
© 2000-2024 The StayWell Company, LLC. All rights reserved. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professional's instructions.
FAQs
Normal results are negative or nonreactive, meaning that you don't have the hepatitis A antibodies in your blood. If your test is positive or reactive, it may mean: You have an active HAV infection. You have had an HAV infection in the past.
Is hepatitis A IgG positive good? ›
An IgG-positive and IgM-negative result may suggest immunity to hepatitis A. A doctor may request a hepatitis A test for IgG, IgM, or both. The results can show whether a person has a hepatitis A infection currently or has had one in the past.
What are the results of a hepatitis antibody test? ›
Normal hepatitis B core antibody results are negative. A positive hepatitis B core antibody test may mean you have a current or past hepatitis B infection. A positive hepatitis B surface antibody test means you are protected against the hepatitis B virus.
How do you read hepatitis A results? ›
Interpretation. A positive result for HAV IgG (in the absence of HAV IgM) indicates immunity to HAV. A positive result for HAV IgM with or without a positive HAV IgG suggests recent/acute infection with HAV.
How long does hepatitis A antibody stay positive? ›
They will be in your blood if you have a hepatitis A infection now or have had one in the past. Hepatitis A IgM antibodies. These can be found as early as 2 weeks after you are first infected. They disappear 3 to 12 months after the infection.
Can you have hepatitis antibodies and not have hepatitis? ›
Once people have been infected, they will always have antibodies in their blood. This is true if they have cleared the virus, have been cured, or still have the virus in their blood. A reactive antibody test does notnecessarily mean that you currently have hepatitis C and a follow-up test is needed.
How do you treat hepatitis A IgG positive? ›
There is no specific treatment for hepatitis A.
- You should rest and stay well hydrated when the symptoms are the worst.
- People with acute hepatitis should avoid alcohol and medicines that are toxic to the liver, including acetaminophen (Tylenol) during the acute illness and for several months after recovery.
Specimens with signal to cutoff (S/CO) values ≥ 1.00 are considered reactive for IgG anti-HAV. Specimens with S/CO values < 1.00 are considered nonreactive.
What is the difference between hep a IgM and hep a antibody? ›
The Hepatitis A Total test looks for 2 types of antibodies. IgM antibodies develop soon after exposure and fade away after a couple of months. IgG antibodies develop later and remain present in the body. The presence of IgM antibodies indicates recent exposure to the virus and the possibility of an acute infection.
What is the normal range for hepatitis antibody test? ›
Any value between 1 and 5 s/c is indeterminate and should be repeated. For hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBs), a level less than 5 mIU is considered negative, while a level more than 12 mIU is considered protective. Any value between 5 and 12 mIU is indeterminate and should be repeated.
No specific treatment exists for hepatitis A. Your body will clear the hepatitis A virus on its own. In most cases of hepatitis A, the liver heals within six months with no lasting damage.
What is a total hepatitis A antibody test? ›
Test Details
This assay is used to detect total antibodies (IgG and IgM) against Hepatitis A virus (HAV) and may be helpful when assessing HAV immunity. The detection of total antibodies cannot differentiate between vaccination, previously resolved infection, or active infection.
What does positive HAV IgG antibody mean? ›
A positive HAV IgG is evidence of past infection or vaccination. A total HAV antibody test recognises both HAV IgM and HAV IgG antibody. If the IgM test is negative, a positive test for total HAV antibodies is evidence of past infection or vaccination.
What is normal hepatitis A? ›
Hepatitis A is an inflammation of the liver that can cause mild to severe illness. The hepatitis A virus (HAV) is transmitted through ingestion of contaminated food and water or through direct contact with an infectious person. Almost everyone recovers fully from hepatitis A with a lifelong immunity.
What is a normal result for a hepatitis panel? ›
A normal result means no hepatitis antibodies or antigens are found in the blood sample. This is called a negative result. Normal value ranges may vary slightly depending on the lab doing the test. Talk to your provider about the meaning of your specific test results.
Why did I test positive for hepatitis A? ›
Person-to-person contact. You might get hepatitis A if you have sexual contact with someone who has it, use street drugs with them, or care for someone who is ill with the disease. Contaminated food or drink. Food-borne cases of hepatitis A are most common in countries that have more cases of the disease.
What does hepatitis be antibody indicate? ›
Hepatitis B e antibody is a soluble viral protein. It is found early in the course of acute hepatitis B and disappears soon after ALT peaks. Persistence of HBeAg beyond 3 months after the onset of illness is unusual and may suggest progression to chronic infection.
How do you get hepatitis antibodies? ›
Your body can make this antibody if you have been vaccinated, or if you have recovered from a hepatitis B infection. If this test is positive or "reactive," then your immune system has successfully developed a protective antibody against the hepatitis B virus.
