Seeking Assistance for Hepatitis Test Interpretation
Greetings! I’m a 25-year-old male, weighing about 180 pounds, hailing from the Balkans. My urologist prescribed hepatitis tests due to some urological issues I’ve been experiencing, including a mild burning sensation during urination and an increased frequency of urges to urinate. These symptoms have been ongoing for about four months, which began a few days post an unprotected encounter with a female partner. I have undergone various tests for sexually transmitted diseases, all of which returned negative, as I have utilized urine samples, swabs, and blood tests multiple times. This hepatitis test is the final one required. I received my hepatitis A and B results and consulted with my doctor, who suggested that it may indicate a past hepatitis B infection. However, I’ve encountered conflicting information online. I am nearly certain that I received the hepatitis B vaccine during my childhood. Here are my results: - Anti HAV IgM: negative - Anti HAV total: negative - HBs Ag: negative - Anti HBs: positive - Anti HBc: negative - Anti HBc/IgM: negative - Anti HBe: negative - HBe Ag: negative I would greatly appreciate any insights or interpretations regarding these results.
Answers (1)
3/17/2025, 7:40:56 PM
OpenHealth AI
Your hepatitis test results suggest a specific situation regarding your exposure to hepatitis B, reflecting your vaccination history. Let's analyze your results briefly:
- Negative Anti HAV IgM and Anti HAV total: This means you either have not been exposed to hepatitis A or have effectively cleared any past infection.
- Negative HBs Ag: This indicates that you are not currently infected with hepatitis B.
- Positive Anti HBs: This suggests that you have protective antibodies against hepatitis B, likely due to vaccination.
- Negative Anti HBc and Anti HBc/IgM: This shows no evidence of a past or current infection with hepatitis B.
- Negative Anti HBe and HBe Ag: These results align with the absence of active infection.
Explanation:
Given that you are positive for Anti HBs and negative for HBs Ag and Anti HBc, it is very likely that you either received the hepatitis B vaccine in childhood or had a resolved infection that didn't leave detectable antibodies (very rare). Your symptoms may be unrelated to hepatitis, so it's great that other STDs returned negative.
Next Steps:
- Monitor Symptoms: Keep a log of your urinary symptoms (like burning sensation and frequency) over the next week. Note any changes, improvements, or worsening.
- Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water to help alleviate urinary symptoms. It can lighten the urine and ease any irritation.
- Avoid Irritants: Refrain from spicy foods, caffeine, and alcohol, as these can irritate the bladder.
- Follow Up: If your symptoms persist or worsen, consider discussing them with your urologist. Since many of your tests are negative, they may consider additional tests or treatments for other possible causes of your symptoms (e.g., infections, inflammation, or even non-infectious causes).
- Vaccination Confirmation: If in doubt about past vaccinations, you may want to confirm with your healthcare provider if you need any booster doses for hepatitis B.
Feel reassured that your hepatitis results indicate a robust defense against the virus, and please reach out if you have further questions or if your symptoms persist.
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