Why am I being tested for Hep B?

[Holsb]

I have had Budd Chiari for nearly 14 years, I have a shunt and luckily everything has been going fine since then. I have an app every 6 months for an ultrasound scan, then my outpatient app and bloods taken.

I had an appointment yesterday and like normal I was in and out quite quickly as the scan showed as being ok still. My hospital are now introducing an online service and from that I noticed a request for my blood to be checked for - hepatitis b surface antibody and antigen and hepatitis c virus antibody. I'm not sure why, would anyone have an idea? It wasn't mentioned to me during my appointment.

Thank you

[mantana]

Both hepatitis B and C are deadly infections, which may not give any symptoms even for 10, 20, 30 years.

[Tiger800xrt in reply to mantana]

With respect, they are not deadly infections. Whilst it is true that chronic undiagnosed hepatitis can lead to fibrosis, cirrhosis and HCC, with prompt diagnosis and management the serious side effects can be mitigated.

[mantana in reply to Tiger800xrt]

> with prompt diagnosis

It is estimated that 50-90% of heb B / c carriers are unaware they are infected... It depends on the country.

Approximately 50–70% of people with acute hepatitis B are not symptomatic, resulting in many undiagnosed and unreported infections.

Approximately 50% of people living with chronic hepatitis B were unaware of their infection status (1). Such people could unknowingly transmit their infection to others and are at risk for developing chronic liver disease.

thelancet.com/journals/lang...

Of these infections, around 29 million (10%) were diagnosed, and only 4·8 million (5%) of 94 million individuals eligible for treatment actually received antiviral therapy.

[Tiger800xrt in reply to mantana]

These are estimates from a modelling study from 2016 which is based on 65% complete dataset. The fact remains that policies like opt-out testing are key to finding those undiagnosed patients and working towards elimination of HBV.

[Holsb]

Is it a regular test for people with liver disease? That's what I don't understand. It's never been mentioned to me by the Drs.

[Tiger800xrt in reply to Holsb]

As far as I'm aware, it's not a standard test and I would have expected them to ask. Possibly now being done due to a change in policy. I would certainly ask the question of your liver nurse/consultant at your next appointment.

[Holsb in reply to Tiger800xrt]

Thank you for your response.

[BritishLiverTrust8 Moderator British Liver Trust]

Dear Holsb

If you would find it useful to talk things over, our nurse-led helpline is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 3pm on 0800 652 7330 (excluding bank holidays)

Best wishes

British Liver Trust

[Holsb in reply to BritishLiverTrust8]

Thank you, I think I will.

[Roy1955]

My NHS tests and the private consultant a saw at Royal Free both ordered Hep tests.It's just to rule out Hep as a cause of liver disease.

The NHS also did a HIV test.

It's not unusual.

[Holsb in reply to Roy1955]

I've had my liver disease for nearly 14 years, they know what caused it.Since googling about hepatitis I can't see how it links to me, I've never done drugs, I've never been an alcoholic or even drank much, I'm a female and not promiscuous at all 🤷🏻‍♀️

[Roy1955]

They are just being thorough.